Cody Stevens discusses BCM Promotions Fight Night 11 and his transition from fighting to promoting and coaching
Video interview with Cody Stevens above
Cody Stevens is a mainstay on the Ohio MMA scene, having competed in almost 40 fights including a memorable short-notice affair against Shinya Aoki at One FC 11 in 2013 where he took the legend to a decision.
A native of Mansfield, he headlined many cards for Matt Trukovich’s RFO promotion in his hometown, and Fairhaven Hall at the Richland County Fairgrounds became a cornerstone of MMA in the Buckeye State.
But Cody suffered an eye injury in his last fight, which caused him to stop competing in 2018. RFO had closed shop around a year before.
“When RFO decided to step away, it left a big gap,” Stevens said. “And I think Ohio MMA felt it as well, because it was a big hub for a decade-plus.”
Right after his fighting career, a new opportunity came to Stevens to jump to the promotion side, and he eventually joined the partnership team for BCM Promotions.
“So when [BCM co-owner] Bob Marshall talked to me about joining forces with him, it was a no-brainer to me.”
I knew I was going to have to stop fighting professionally at some point, but it happened quicker than I thought.”
In addition to working with the promotion, Stevens is building up his own gym in Mansfield, Wolverine MMA. He also coaches and trains at Strong Style in the Cleveland area, which has produced some of the best fighters in the state’s history.
In our video interview, Stevens discusses the four fighters he trains who will compete on the card. Nick Walls (6-5) moves up to welterweight to face Alonzo Turner (7-1), the No. 1 ranked amateur welterweight in Ohio according to Tapology.
Wolverine MMA fighters Zane Finley (1-0), Koby Carr-Pierce (1-1), and Jon Maxey (0-0) will also be in action.
Strong Style sends four amateur fighters to the event, including Chase Archangelo (2-0), Ivan Pena (2-1), Byron Norwood Jr. (2-3), and Nico O’Dor (1-0).
In the main event, Will Baxter (6-3) will look to win his second title when he faces Darryl Booker (6-3) for the light heavyweight championship.
Also set for Fight Night XI is a middleweight bout featuring Vester Harris (4-5) against Chase Archangelo (2-0).
BCM Promotions: Fight Night XI takes place on Nov. 12 at Fairhaven Hall in Mansfield, Ohio.
