Coby Weinsier
On Friday May 6th, Titan FC fan favorite, Richie Lewis (2-0), returns to action for the first time in 2022 at Titan FC 76.
If you know Lewis, his accolades of being the U23 world champion in freestyle wrestling for team USA and a two-time NCAA qualifier, won’t come as a surprise. It’s no secret he can grapple with the best of the best however, the 27-year-old has shown he can do it all as a mixed martial artist in his two pro bouts. After a dominant performance in his pro debut at Titan FC 68, he returned at Titan FC 71 to do the same except this time earn his first career finish. Over the last year, several aspects of Lewis’ life have changed and he feels as if it was for the better.
“I’ve grown a lot not only as a fighter, but as a human,” he explained. “I buckled down and feel like I can just focus on fighting now.”
Following a tenured run training at the Goat Shed, Lewis made the move to the world renowned Sanford MMA. Despite the move, he couldn’t stress enough how much he appreciates and roots on his long-time friend and coach, Asim Zaidi, and the rest of his former teammates and team members.
However, the move was huge for Lewis’ career. As he’s trained at some of the best gyms in the world over time, he felt that Sanford MMA was most like what he was used to in a D-1 wrestling room. An aspect that he’s felt impact his game significantly is the 15-18 practical sparring rounds he does per week. Putting himself in situations he’ll likely be in come fight day and training with some of the world’s best mixed martial artists can only level him up as a fighter.
Sanford MMA’s coaching has also played a huge part in the improvements he feels like he made. It’s safe to say being coached by the likes of Henri Hooft, Greg Jones, Kami Barzini and Jason Strout is a privilege in its own right, but add the great minds of Gilbert Burns, Sean Soriano, Michael Chandler and several others and you’re borderline overwhelmed with quality knowledge. Jones and Hooft have played a huge role in helping Lewis perfect his craft however, Dietter Navarro is someone he credits a lot to. Coach Navarro was brought into Sanford MMA full-time after assisting the likes of Angel Alvarez, Landry Ward and the man himself, Richie Lewis. Lewis and Navarro’s relationship kickstarted when Navarro worked with him at the Goat Shed as well as Pedro Roque’s Boxing Academy. He elaborate on his experience so far at Sanford MMA and the wide appreciation of coach Navarro.
"The culture at Sanford MMA is second to none," Lewis said. "When I started training with Dietter my level jumped. Everyone gravitates to him in the gym."
The move from Miami to Deerfield Beach has been night and day for Lewis. Change can sometimes mean added pressure, but for him it seems to only be beneficial. The nine-month layoff wasn't by choice as he looked to fight at an earlier date, but due to several opponents backing out, nothing came to fruition.
On May 6th, he finally makes that walk again. It's a day not only Richie Lewis has marked on his calendar, but also many Titan FC and global fight fans. He's set to battle with Kelvin Bowen in one of the main cards featured bouts. Bowen is a heavy handed striker who trains with one half of Titan FC 76's main event, Zach Zane. With that being said, Lewis is confident in his preparation and well-equipped for battle.
Everything about Richie Lewis points to stardom one day. At 27-years-old, he is still young in the pro MMA world, but has taken it by storm. On May 6th, the Savage Show is in town and you don't want to miss it.