AGEMA Fight Team and Tupelo BJJ‘s Cody Floyd will make his professional MMA debut at “Strikeforce: Nashville” this Saturday night, April 17. Floyd, who went undefeated (5-0) as an amateur, will face SSF Academy‘s Thomas Campbell, who was ProMMAnow.com’s “2009 Amateur Fighter of the Year” and is also making his pro debut.
It will not be a cake walk for Floyd. His opponent has nearly four times as many fights, and he is fighting near his opponent’s home town. Yet, he and his coaches feel he is more than ready and more than capable for the job.
ProMMAnow.com spoke to Cody Floyd this week to get his opinion on Campbell and see how it feels to make his pro debut for such a large organization and on such a big card. Floyd came off as a fighter who is well-prepared and ready to do what he does best… win.
ProMMAnow.com: Thanks for speaking to us today at ProMMAnow.com Cody, how are things with you, and how are you feeling as you approach your pro debut now just a few days away?
Cody Floyd: I feel good, I am excited and I am ready to go.
ProMMAnow.com: Not many people get to make their pro debut in a large organization like Strikeforce. That has to feel pretty good, and a great way to start your career don’t you think?
Cody Floyd: Yes, absolutely. I am very glad to have this opportunity and I plan to make the best of it.
ProMMAnow.com: Where are you originally from, how did you get into MMA, and where do you currently train?
Cody Floyd: I’m from Tupelo, Mississippi. I got into MMA about three years ago after I went to a local show called the Infinite Combat Championship. I got a card from the fight and called Mark Romano and Chris Gates. I started training with Tupelo Brazilian Jiu Jitsu right after that, and I still train there, and I also cross-train with Memphis Judo & Jui Jitsu. Not long after that I made the AGEMA Fight Team here in Tupelo.
ProMMAnow.com: If you could give any bit of advice to someone out there who has a dream of one day becoming a pro fighter, what would you tell them?
Cody Floyd: Start training and work hard.
ProMMAnow.com: Let’s talk about your opponent, Thomas Campbell. How familiar are you with him, and how do you see yourself matching up?
Cody Floyd: I’m not terribly familiar with him because I haven’t seen too many of his fights but he comes out of a tough gym and he will definitely be the toughest opponent I have faced so far.
ProMMAnow.com: What aspect of your game is going to give him the most problems?
Cody Floyd: That is a hard question to answer. In a fight, there is no blueprint. We will get in there and see where it goes. I know I am ready, but you never know what is going to happen.
ProMMAnow.com: What aspect of his game are you most concerned with?
Cody Floyd: I’m not concerned about anything, but I am prepared for everything, I feel, across the board.
ProMMAnow.com: What has your training been like for this fight compared to your previous training for amateur fights?
Cody Floyd: I have stepped my training up a lot. I have been putting in two-a-days, cross-training with different people, going out of town to train with guys at Paragon in Corinth, Mississippi, West Side Kickboxing, BJJ & MMA in Little Rock, Memphis Judo and Jui Jitsu.
ProMMAnow.com: Finally, can you give us a prediction of how this fight will end?
Cody Floyd: I never try to predict a fight. I’m no psychic… (laughs) I just know I am ready for this.
ProMMAnow.com: Thanks for your time Cody. We wish you the best of luck in the fight, and can’t wait to watch from cage side. Are there any sponsors or anyone you want to thank?
Cody Floyd: I would like to thank my sponsors: Alliance Collection Service, Main Stream Tattoos & Eli’s BBQ, both of Tupelo. Also, Biorythm Advanced Nutrition, and Tapout. And, I want to say thanks to ProMMAnow.com for taking the time to do this interview with me. It means a lot.
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Cody sounds like a good kid. We are looking forward to the fight, Mark Romano’s guys are always tough and ready to fight.
Yeah he does sound like a good kid. This fight is going to be so exciting. This whole card is going to set Nashville on FIRE.
Cody is a quiet guy and a great ambassador for the sport and for Mississippi but he is a Titan in the ring. I am glad Strikeforce selected him. He is one of many of Chris Gates’ and Mark Romano’s pros that can guarantee a great show. The are all great sportsmen. Gonna be a great fight for sure.
Cody is a great guy, won’t be outworked. Good Luck Cody!