The Hub Sports Center in Liberty Lake delivered another night of action-filled fights. There were 11 amatuer bouts on the fight card on Friday, March 10, including the co-main event Aaron Schmidt vs. Cergio Chavez fighting at 135 lbs. and the main event featuring Elijah Ross vs. Jamal Davis fighting at 145 lbs.
Ross was the main attraction of the night. He has titles in three different organizations, and now has his fifth belt as of Friday night in the 145 weight class. His previous fights were at 155 lbs.
Ross is only 20 years old and trains at 823 MMA which is in a makeshift gym made out of his family’s garage. Ross and his Father Cary began buying heavy bags, slip bags, wall and floor mats and various other equipment to train in the comfort of their own home.
They were inspired to build their own gym and provide an outlet and place for other people to train that could not afford the expensive boxing and MMA gyms. He trains there with his father and younger brother Cadence Ross, 17, who also fights MMA. The time they spend training together has made their relationship as a family evolve.
As Ross stepped into the cage Friday evening, you could hear the roar of the crowd chanting “Bear! Bear!” which is Ross’ nickname. With only a few rounds, Ross submitted Davis in the second round via arm bar. For most people that have watch him fight, this came as no surprise.
Ross said his passion really came about when he was just 11 and he has been going strong ever since. He took his first fight and won via knockout at just 15 years of age. Friday night was a spectacular event. Ross winning over Jamal Davis. This fight gave him his 15th amateur win, making his amateur record an incredible 15-4.
Ross will take one more amateur fight on April 1 in Lewiston, Idaho at The Clear Water Casino before going pro as a fighter. As a pro, many doors can open up for the young man including the UFC, which Ross has his eye on for the near future.
Ross can always be seen wearing pink fight shorts and he does it because both his grandmother and step-grandmother died from breast cancer. As a tribute to them and to raise awareness it has become Ross’ signature attire at fighting events where he also raises money through his fights breast cancer awareness.
Although he will have one last amateur bout, Ross will be heard around the region much more often now by becoming a pro and continuing to fight the way he does. Ross’ character also contributes to his popularity. For example, though Ross is not undefeated, spectators have witnessed and commented on his humility in both victory and in loss.
