Ode “THE JAMAICAN SENSATION” Osbourne Fighting on Dana White’s Contender Series July 16
Ode Osbourne will be competing in front of Dana White, President of the Ultimate Fighting Championships on July 16. “The Jamaican Sensation” Osbourne (7-2) will be competing against Armando Villarreal (5-1) inside the octagon. Dana White’s Contender Series is an opportunity for up-and-coming prospects to impress White and matchmaker Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard with their talent in hopes to scribble their signature on their first contract with the Las Vegas-based organization. All fights take place at UFC’s home base while streaming live on ESPN+.
Ode Osbourne. (Photo by Andrew Feller)Osbourne is a young man that has always pictured bigger and better for himself. The image of his greatness might not have been clear until he was introduced to several individuals in high school and college. After coming to the United States at age seven, Ode always felt a tad behind everyone else in the classroom. Hard work and dedication was instilled in him by his mother, Sophia Manning, who made the journey to Brooklyn, New York and worked several years before sending for Ode. After a couple of years in the Empire State, Ode and his mother Sophia moved to Florida. There, Osbourne would attend William T. Dwyer High School and be introduced to his football and future wrestling coach, Ben Tomes.
Tomes saw the athletic abilities Osbourne possessed and asked him to come out for wrestling his freshman year. The fast learner quickly caught on to the technique and dedicated himself to the sport, eventually dropping football his junior year of high school to focus on wrestling. He eventually became a team captain and the first three-time wrestling state place winner at Dwyer High School. After high school, Osbourne followed his high school coach to Waukesha, Wisconsin where Tomes became the wrestling coach at Carroll University. While in Waukesha, Tomes became the wrestling coach at Waukesha MMA and Osbourne joined Tomes in helping teach the classes to Reese Shaner’s fighters, which is where Osbourne was introduced to MMA.
Shaner and Osbourne’s bond quickly grew strong. Shaner gave Osbourne a membership to Waukesha MMA, the first banner “The Jamaican Sensation” fought under. Shaner encouraged Osbourne to compete in mixed martial arts, and after a little convincing, Ode returned from visiting his mother in Florida and began his MMA career. Reese “Old Man” Shaner was more than a coach to Osbourne. He became a mentor and father figure in Osbourne’s life, much like Ben Tomes. In football, there is a saying, “Family, Faith, Football” – Shaner brought that mentality to Waukesha MMA.
“I’ll never forget that night. Getting a call at 3 am, finding out we lost a great man.” Osbourne mentioned when he found out about the tragic death of his first MMA trainer, Reese “Old Man” Shaner. Osbourne pushes forward knowing that Shaner would want him to continue training, he found himself at Roufusport MMA Academy in Milwaukee.
A short stint at Roufusport MMA Academy left Osbourne feeling under appreciated and discouraged about his fight career. Beta Pi Epsilon of Carroll University fraternity member felt the lack of being able to keep his fighting style integrity handcuffed him and shackled his potential by limiting his creativity inside the cage.
Tomes, now the wrestling coach at Pura Vida MMA introduced Osbourne to Jake Klipp. Klipp is the head trainer at Pura Vida MMA and they instantly broke the shackles off Ode. “I knew it was an instant match when I met with Jake. He incorporates a family type atmosphere at Pura Vida BJJ & MMA which I really enjoy.” Said Osbourne.
While finding a new fight family, Osbourne discovered another passion of his. Teaching! Being able to teach the youth has been a “blessing” to him. As a teachers aid, he teaches full class periods of math to his students, whom he says inspired him.
“Being able to read a student and understand them is a gift. And, not every teacher has that ability to connect with their students.” Said Osbourne.
Standing at 5’7”, the Pura Vida BJJ & MMA fighter has found new inspiration since working with the youth which has elevated his game to another level. Anyone who knows Osbourne easily understands why students love learning from Mr. Osbourne. His genuine personality, patience, and attention to detail (all attributes to instilled in him by his mother), help his students easily understand the material being taught.
Below is a perfect example of Osbourne sharing his opportunity with the students he teaches while signing the one fight contract for Dana White’s Contender Series.
“The Jamaican Sensation” is a bantamweight fighting out of Pura Vida MMA in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, looking to place his stamp on season three of DWTNCS. He is a highly athletic fighter on a three-fight win streak. Osbourne ended his last three fights in the first round scoring two submissions and a TKO. Osbourne is a highly skilled striker that delivers lethal combinations which include all points of his body (hands, feet, knees, and elbows). In addition to his striking, Osbourne is a decorated high school wrestler and an NAIA college All-American wrestler. He absorbs technique rather quickly and is currently a three stripe blue belt.
Osbourne’s opponent, Armando “La Lumbre” Villarreal, hails from the Lone Star State, fighting out of Blitz Sport MMA in Waco, Texas. Much like Osbourne, “La Lumbre” will be entering the octagon with a three-fight win streak. Villarreal finds himself as the fifth-ranked bantamweight fighter in the state of Texas according to Tapology. As a professional, Villarreal has two submissions, two unanimous decisions, and one TKO victory. Even as an amateur he shows himself as a well-rounded fighter with two TKO’s, a unanimous decision, and a Submission victory.
The fight will be steaming Tuesday night live July 16, only on UFC on ESPN+. Osbourne is feeling confident and ready to go. Watch the video below of Osbourne training.
