Marine’s Transition to MMA Fighter Come ‘Hell or High Water’

Sgt Kyle Stewart — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 14:48:00 -0500

From the RallyPoint Team -
MMA Fighter Kyle "Gunz Up' Stewart is a US Marine who served 3 deployments in Afghanistan. Last month RP sponsored the fighter in a bout that he competed in for the Legacy Fighting Alliance which was broadcast on UFC Fight Pass. Kyle won the bout in the second round via ground and pound moving his record to an impressive 13 wins with only 3 defeats.

Kyle sat down with us to share part of his journey and some words of encouragement:

When we were deployed we never really knew what tomorrow would bring. What we almost certainly knew, was that it would be dangerous and whether we liked it or not we would have to deal with it. It’s times like that, where I focused on controlling what little things I could and not worry about anything else.

I knew I wanted to have a career in MMA while I was serving, so I made certain to find an hour or so each day to either hit pads or shadow box. Some of the other guys would look at me like I was crazy and ask me what the heck I was doing. In that time I was doing two things. One, I removed myself in a way from all of the chaos that was going on around me. The second thing was, I would think to myself and say - someday I’ll make it out of this situation and when I walk under those bright lights for the UFC it will all be worth it. Come hell or high water, I was going to work towards my goal of achieving greatness in a fight sport, while out there actually fighting another type of fight as a US Marine.

We find ourselves today not quite knowing what tomorrow brings. We could love it or hate it but regardless of what happens there is no real point to getting emotionally sucked into something that we just can't control. To this day I intend on focusing on the goals that I’m going to achieve.

In life we can often find ourselves surrounded in chaos and we don’t quite know what tomorrow brings. There are many things we can and cannot control. The world is a crazy place right now with the pandemic, politics and much much more. It’s during times like this when it’s good to sort those things out and double down on the things that you can control. Focus on what you want, what you can control to achieve that, and move forward one day at a time!

Follow Kyle as he continues to strive for greatness inside of the cage - https://rly.pt/2Ix4QVZ

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Response by MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2020 4:18 PM

MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 16:18:23 -0500

Pretty awesome. Go for your dreams!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2020 10:10 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 10:10:42 -0500

Outstanding. Get some.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Nov 17 at 2020 11:38 AM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 11:38:05 -0500

I bet 2nd Marines 7th Battalion is getting morning wood with this post.

Response by Wayne Soares made Nov 19 at 2020 3:41 PM

Wayne Soares — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 15:41:35 -0500

Thanks for the share Sgt Stewart

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2020 1:23 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 01:23:41 -0500

Do your thing man!!

Response by SFC Chuck Martinez made Nov 30 at 2020 12:02 AM

SFC Chuck Martinez — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 00:02:14 -0500

I watch it, but too freaking old for that shit.

Response by Nicole Thomas made Nov 30 at 2020 3:19 AM

Nicole Thomas — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 03:19:31 -0500

Please be an MMA fighter. Whatever trips your bubble. PLEASE DO NOT BECOME AN LAKE ARTHUR RESERVE POLICEMAN LIKE MARCUS LUTREL, however you spell his last name. Here in New Mexico we have enough problems without retired Navy S.E.A.L.s and men like Royce Gracie paying $400 for a police badge

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Nov 15 at 2021 1:28 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:28:57 -0500

I thought I knew some tough guys growing up, boy did I get my eyes opened to guys who were scary tough. It’s why it pays to be nice you never know who your dealing with, pick the wrong guy and you get your face rearranged.