Faith and Fighting
Local fighter takes to California to sharpen skills
Local mixed martial artist Thomas Gifford recently left Arkansas for a month-long trip to Sacramento, Calif., to train with other fighters in preparation for a busy 2019.
“I fight because it is a dream, but God gave me the gift,” Gifford said. “I’m talented in this sport because of him, and I will glorify his name and tell people about him my whole career.”
Gifford said he aspires to fight under contract with an elite promotion and utilize the opportunity to be a positive influence for others. He currently works as a log-cutter during the day and makes the two-hour round trip to Hot Springs after work to train for three hours at Spa City Martial Arts.
“I do not get home and in bed until 11:30 most nights,” Gifford said. “I run on very little sleep, but no dream ever comes easy. Hard work is all I have ever known.”
Gifford’s family lived in Leola outside of Malvern until he was 5 years old. The family then moved to Brush Creek, where he has lived ever since outside of Malvern, Benton and Sheridan.
“I grew up here on 20 acres of land hunting, fishing, riding four wheelers and dirt bikes, and I also ran the creek beds hunting birds, squirrels, rabbits, deer and snakes,” Gifford said.
“Pretty much, I was just country to the bone.” The “Young Lion” said he was bullied in school. After he told his father, he was taken to a boxing club in Sheridan, where met Sonny Axsom, a boxing coach.
Gifford said he was a “natural” at boxing. He was