Travis Chitwood Set to Showcase At Atlas Fights
Atlas Fights 54 is set to take place from the beaches of Biloxi, Mississippi this weekend, Saturday, August 01, 2020. One of those competitors coming all the way from the state of Tennessee will be Travis Chitwood. The Team NKI product will battle Saturday for the Atlas Fights Amateur Lightweight title. The event is stacked with several additional championship bouts as well.
Getting Into MMA
Everyone has a story of how they fell in love with MMA and combat sports in general. Chitwood’s started like many other people. “My dad and I used to watch a lot of boxing together when I was a kid,” Chitwood told MyMMANews. “So that developed my love of combat sports. I guess the credit for getting me into MMA would have to go to my old coaches and good friends, Travis Cupp and Jay Meneghello. They kinda recruited me straight out of high school.”
Getting better as he went, Chitwood has a current record of 6-5 in MMA, 2-0 in kickboxing, and 2-0 in boxing. Don’t let the record fool you. He has faced some very tough competition. He’s faced Jason King, who last competed in Bellator MMA, and Anthony Morgan, a champion in the Tennessee area. Chitwood’s last bit of action came in 2018, competing in a kickboxing bout. Quick work was made of his opponent, winning the bout with a nine-second knockout.
The Return of MMA in Tough Time
MMA is making a slow return to everyday life with COVID-19 still running ranpid across the nation. Atlas Fights is one of the first regional promotions in the South making the comeback. Using the beach as the setting, it will be interesting to see how some of the fighters handle fighting outside. The fighters realize how important this event will be in bringing back MMA regionally. “It’s very important! A lot of eyes are going to be on us. This fight card is stacked with talent,” Chitwood said. “Everyone is ready to get back to normal and this will be a little taste of normal. At least we get to enjoy a sport we all love again!” In reference to competing in the outdoors, Chitwood stated, “I’m excited to compete outside. All the old-time boxers fought outside. We prepared for the heat, so I’m looking forward to it.”
The COVID Effect On Training
In some form or another, every fighter has dealt with COVID-19 differently in reference to their training regimen. “When COVID first broke out, it shut everything down from March to the first of May or so. As far as training camp goes, it’s been great. Only difference being maybe a few less sparring partners,” Chitwood said. “I have an awesome team of coaches and training partners. Brandon and Greg McMahan and Jason Chavis have done a great job getting me ready and making sure we are training every day like we should be. My wife Ashley deserves a big thank you. She has been so great during this camp preparing all my meals and putting up with me being gone six nights a week. I couldn’t do it without her. I’m in good shape and ready to take advantage of this opportunity against a game opponent.”
There will many fans across the South who have yet to see the Tennessee native in action. What can fans expect to see Saturday night who have never seen Chitwood in action? “They can expect a fast pace, pressure, and excitement. The only way to get to that next level is to put on exciting fights that the fans wanna see and to win. We intend to do both Saturday night.”
