The Valley's Brianna Stephens looking to dominate at 559 Fights 109 on Oct 25th

It is fight week in the Central Valley! 559 Fights is back at the Visalia Convention Center with 559 Fights 109 on Friday October 25th, 2024, with a scary good night of amateur MMA action, just in time for the Halloween festivities.

The Valley’s Brianna Stephens will take the next step in her young MMA career, when she competes in her second amateur MMA bout at 559 Fights 109. Born in Hanford and raised in Tulare California, Stephens graduated from Tulare Union High School in 2018. Sports have always been a big part of Stephens life, as she was a standout softball player for the Tulare Union Tribe.

“I played softball religiously growing up, after graduating I moved to Lawton, Oklahoma to pursue a softball scholarship at Cameron University. Unfortunately, School was never my strong suit, and I struggled academically and then started to struggle on the field. It was a big wakeup call and made me realize I didn't want to be in college or play ball anymore, it was pretty hard coming to terms with that and feeling like I failed.” Said Stephens

Valley Fight New.com was able to connect with Brianna prior to her next fight in Visalia on Friday night. As Stephens explained, she felt like she had failed leaving a softball scholarship behind. Sometimes in life, we must fail at what we love, to find what we were made for. Which is always a tough pill to swallow, but as long as that “fail” pushes you forward and you learned from it. Then it’s not a failure at all. Stephens returned to the Valley and found a new passion.

“After moving back home, I began to look for other ways to stay in shape and find a new passion. Towards the end of 2019, I was watching the UFC one Saturday & it made me curious. I looked up Jiu Jitsu gyms in the Tulare/Visalia area & I came across "Outlaw MMA". Showing up the next day I met Marty Hawley and I've been hooked ever since. Marty introduced me to Cowboy Jiu Jitsu and eventually, his Lucky 7 Muay Thai. I owe Marty the solid foundation he provided me, and the expectation he set for the type of person you want and need in your corner.” Said Stephens.

Stephens now trains with “DC” Darren Crisp’s Crisp Kickboxing Muay Thai MMA in Visalia, along with her main training partner and boyfriend JJ Madrid. I asked how she crossed paths with “DC”? She explained,

“After some movement with owners and Coach Marty moving to Utah, JJ and I needed to find a home base. In March 2023, JJ said we were going to get some garage training with DC and after that session, we never looked back. Crisp MMA has been a blessing to me on and off the mats.”

Stephens made her amateur MMA debut in August at 559 Fights 107 where she earned a unanimous decision win after going the distance. The bout was swung to after the TV portion of the card due to time restraints, making Brianna Stephens vs Norma Can the unofficial main event.  I asked how her first experience went? She replied,

“I really feel like it showed me what I was capable of. From the weight cut, to the bout getting pushed all the way to the last fight of the night. I was surprised and proud of myself for staying centered and just enjoying each moment. My opponent Norma was a dog, and it was a very fun 3 rounds, I got to showcase my striking and my ground game a bit. Going the full length was probably the best case for me in my debut and I'm not afraid of pushing the cardio. making it grueling on my opponent.”

Outside of the cage, Stephens is a Regional Manager for one of ELEVO’s after school programs in Visalia and also deals with Insurance saying,

“At ELEVO, we run a sport based program and serve as mentorship for students, I also sell life insurance on the side... so get at me! When I'm not training or working, you can find me with my boyfriend JJ and our dogs.”

As to the goals of the young Miss Stephens when it comes to Mixed Martial Arts, she explained.

“Short term goal, dominate the women's division in the area, one fight at a time. Long term is to ride this till the wheels fall off, I won't disregard any opportunity that comes my way and just want to keep getting better each day. I'm excited to see where this journey takes me.”

Stephens takes on Southern California’s Jasmine Heraldez out Fight Academy Pasadena. Heraldez will be making her amateur debut. I asked Stephens what she thought about the match up? She replied,

“It's kind of the same feeling as my last fight, Norma and I were both making our debuts and there was really nothing to go off. It forced me to consider all scenarios and be prepared in each aspect. Going into this one, I have the same mindset and just feel like I am ready for whatever she wants to throw at me. Expect me to show up at 110%, I don't plan on leaving it up to the judges again. I'm looking to get in there and dominate.”

Stephens vs Heraldez goes down Friday night October 25^th, 2024, at 559 Fights 109 from the Visalia Convention Center on the main card. Tickets are still available now at www.eventbrite.com/e/559-fights-109-tickets-1002469572477?aff=erelexpmlt  Stephens finished by thanking all her supporters saying,

“Huge thank you to my Coach DC and our family at Crisp MMA. My family at home who always shows out for me and my boyfriend JJ who I can't thank enough. Shoutout to my sponsors: NW$E, Strings Italian Cafe, Peaceable Fluidity Inc. Get Faded Barbershop (Corina "Taz" Herrera), Hobbs- Potts & Associates.”

Also on the card, 559 Fights crowns a new promotional and CAMO State featherweight champion when Tracy’s (9-1) Ramon Cornejo returns to the 559 Fights cage in the main event to take on Fresno’s (4-1) Isaiah Walls. While the co main event will see (4-2) George Burgos put his 559 Fights Flyweight title on the line versus (3-2) Paul Furr.

559 Fights 109 card:

559 Fights & CAMO State Featherweight Championship

(9-2) Ramon Cornejo vs (4-1) Isaiah Walls

559 Fights Flyweight Championship

(4-2-0-1) George Burgos vs (3-2) Paul Furr

(6-4) Josh Simpson vs (3-1) Adrian Reyes

(2-0) Moses Contreras vs (2-3) Krikor Balkian

(1-0) Brianna Stephens vs (0-0) Jasmine Heraldez

(1-0) Marshall Zachary vs (0-0) Jacob Smith

(2-1) Chris Chapa vs (1-4) Pablo Solis

(3-5) Paul Porter vs (1-1) Kamaran Pilkinton

(2-1) Johnny Reyes vs (1-0) Dean Furr

(1-0) Josh McMillon vs (2-0) Robert Williams

(1-1) Oscar Pacheco vs (1-3) Daniel Cerna

(0-1) Raul Cook vs (0-0) Christopher Holtgreen

(0-0) Julian Garcia vs (1-0) Jahaad Sowell

(0-0) Emiliano Granada vs (0-0) Noah Ozuna

(0-0) Mark Gutierrez vs (1-0) Jiovanny Melendez

(0-0) Luis Ramos vs (0-0) Jawad Shahzadah

For more info visit www.559Fights.com

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By: Daniel "Trip" Quintana www.noweakshitever.com