Fighter with Down Syndrome granted right to fight, G-Money does battle July 11
Fighter with Down Syndrome granted right to fight, G-Money does battle July 11
Garrett ‘G-Money’ Holeve sued to gain his right to have a sanctioned MMA bout in his home state of Florida. On July 11, holeve will fight in a sanctioned bout MMA.
G-Money is a 25-year old mixed martial arts fighter with Down syndrome. He has trained in MMA for five years. In August of 2013 the state of Florida issued a cease and desist order to prevent Holeve from competing in a sanctioned MMA bout.
Shortly after, Garrett and his legal team at Disability Right Florida sued the ISKA and the WFO, two of the state of Florida’s authorized sanctioning organizations. The legal battle ended in January 2015 after Holeve testified in Florida District court to gain his right to compete MMA.
Combat Night at Passions Night Club in Hollywood, Florida, will host Garrett “G-Money” Holeve and David Steffan in a sanctioned MMA fight on July 11. The fight is part of Combat Night’s MMA promotion with 15 other MMA matches. This is truly a historic event as for the first time an adaptive athlete will compete in a sanctioned MMA fight in the state of Florida.
This is a rematch for the two men as on November 8, 2014 in Sullivan, Missouri at Cage Championships 50 it was the first time in MMA history two Adaptive athletes meet in a sanctioned MMA bout anywhere. The bout was originally slated to take place in Florida before the legal issue came about.
Steffan has been living his entire life with Cerebral Palsey. These two men demonstrated great skill in both stand up and BJJ.
Holeve would go on to win via rear-naked choke submission. You can watch the fight here
Garrett’s story has been documented by ESPN Sports Center as well as FUEL TV’s UFC Ultimate Insider and various articles also.
At the age of 19 Garrett began his journey into Martial Arts. Garrett was given the Self Advocate of the Year award in 2015 by the National Down syndrome society.
Garrett’s fight has always been to be included – not to be judged just because he happens to have Down syndrome. Martial Arts gave Garrett that chance –his hard work, determination and HEART has amazed his coaches and training partners. Garrett feels he has earned his chance to compete against am opponent of equal ability. Garrett has showed how much he feels that Martial Art s has helped him he has established Garrett’s Fight Foundation the foundation provides Martial Arts and Physical Fitness programs for teens and young adults with special needs. Garrett trains at Rock MMA nad Yoga in Pembroke Pines Florida, coach by Cesar Serja and Carl Reiner.
Garrett’s story is truly inspirational – giving back in the Martial Arts tradition.
