Rossville's Michael Nabors works out at Core Fit 1 in Fort Oglethorpe. He is getting back into mixed martial arts matches as an amateur.Local mixed martial arts fighter Michael Nabors, of Rossville, and professional MMA fighter Sidney Wheeler, of Dalton, are prepping for the Valor Fights 31 coming to Chattanooga Sports Complex in Hixson Feb. 27 starting at 3 p.m.
Nabors, 39, works out at Core Fit 1 and Wheeler, 19, works out at Blalock's Gym. Both are in Fort Oglethorpe.
Nabors started out MMA training with Eric Newby at Inked Expressions 15 years ago. Nabors' last fight was Sept. 11, 2010, because he was in a car accident and broke his femur. At Core Fit, he trains with former MMA professional fighter Ian Stephens and said he's looking forward to formally getting back in the ring.
"Valor Fights 31 has scheduled 17 fights," said Nabors, who is is sponsored by Fit Foods and Kissner Paving.. "There's two female fights, 13 amateur male fights and two professional male fights. It's one of the biggest cards for the area so far. I am fighting a guy named Lee Poke. Sidney will fight Justin Fisher and Sidney and Justin are top contenders for UFC [Ultimate Fighting Championship]."
Wheeler has been working out at Blalock's five nights a week training with other fighters, he said. For example, he trains with East Ridge's Elshell Bertus, who will fight Justin Granville at Valor 31, and with Cleveland's David Robins, who will fight Jevany Hyde at Valor Fights 31. He will also train with Nabors before the fight.
Wheeler is trained by Chet Blalock, who earned the first American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt in the state of Tennessee.
Wheeler has already earned some titles himself: a bronze medal in the USA Box Offs and the International Kickboxing Federation Amateur World Championship in the 185 Division. He has Valor titles in kickboxing and is the Valor Professional Middle Weight Champion in MMA.
"I'm always excited about getting paid to beat people up. My favorite is sparring," said Wheeler, who's been training since age 11.
He said he's working hard to land a UFC contract. His sponsors are Ed and Tammye Cagle and Nikki's Restaurant in Red Bank.
"I got in a lot of fights growing up. I was a bad kid," Wheeler said. "My dad trained with Chet [Blalock]. I begged him to let me train. I planned to go to college and wrestle. In UFC, I can make $50,000 to $100,000 in one night. So I want to train hard and be the best I can be."