Quest for the belt: Reggie parks

After bouncing around from sport to sport, Parks has found a home in MMA

 

 

As mixed martial arts has evolved, the “traditional” athlete has become a larger part of the sport.

 

To call Reggie Parks an athlete is an understatement.

 

 

As a multi-sport athlete at Harvey High School in Painesville, Reggie earned a track and field scholarship

 

to Youngstown State University.

 

 

Following a brief stint away from school he then resumed his collegiate sports career playing football at Hiram College. After

 

leaving there, Reggie played in the Arena Football League for a few seasons.

 

 

Little did Reggie know, a frequent source of entertainment would be his true athletic calling.

 

 

“I was in college and I would sit down with my buddies from the football team. I was a big fan of the first UFC events and we

 

were sitting around and I said one day, that’s what I plan on doing,” said Parks.

 

 

Reggie’s prediction could not have been more accurate.

 

 

Parks is now an amateur fighter who trains at Griffonrawl MMA, has an 8-2 record, and holds two championship belts. He

 

holds the NAAFS amateur co-welterweight championship belt and the Superior Cage Fighting welterweight championship

 

belt.

 

 

Parks will fight at UMMAXX 10: Collision Course for the UMMAXX amateur welterweight championship belt on Saturday

 

March 27th.

 

 

That would give Reggie three belts, nine wins, and one bright professional future.

 

 

“I want to rack up as many belts as I possibly can. My dreams are to turn pro. I will probably be (turning pro) after this fight

 

unless (Jason Dent) says I need another. I’m trying to build a good solid amateur record because some of us are trying to

 

make a career out of this,” said Parks.

 

 

Reggie talks of his professional future like a seasoned veteran. This wasn’t always the case.

 

 

Less than two years ago Parks was in his first MMA fight against Kevin Bolf at Quaker Steak and Lube. His only clear

 

memories of that day were his nerves and the victory.

 

 

“I did pretty good in that fight. I finished him in the first round. It was my first fight and I was extremely

 

nervous. That’s all I really remember about that fight,” said Reggie. “It was more so being anxious than

 

anything. I just didn’t want to look bad in front of everyone I know.”

 

 

Park’s doesn’t need to worry about that anymore. He is widely known as one of the most dangerous strikers and very well

 

conditioned. However, very few people know that he has a heavy wrestling background and considers that his strength.

 

 

In his life Reggie has gone from a young wrestler at Harvey high school, to collegiate track & field, then became an Arena

 

Football League running back, and finally a UMMAXX welterweight championship contender.

 

 

The road to greatness is long and trying, but Reggie Parks is in the fast lane.