Dreams, Goals, and Determination; Getting to Know Brett “The Natural Disaster” Stevens

By Randy Thomas

In the sport of mixed martial arts, setting goals are normal, daily activities for fighters. Some goals are small. Some goals are much larger. But, in 2008, following a near death experience, Brett Stevens set the most important goal; to become the best mixed martial artist he could aspire to be. And, he’s never looked back.

Stevens began his MMA career in 2004 after a friend convinced him to give it a try. The adrenaline rush he felt winning his first fight by knock out was all it took to get him hooked. A few fights and a couple of years later, Stevens made the trek from Eagle Grove, Iowa to San Diego, California to train under the guidance of kickboxing legend, Rob Kaman. Life was good. Until a routine motorcycle ride changed his life in an instant.

Two days later he awoke to his family looking down at him from his hospital bed. Hooked up to machines to keep him alive he questioned how he ended up there. For an athletic, tough guy, he suddenly felt helpless. He learned that he had been hit by a drunk driver while he was riding his motorcycle and he was in critical condition. He was in another type of fight- one in which he was fighting for his life. He was not going to lose.

He recalls that day. “It really turned my life around when I saw my everything flash before me. I knew I had to make a choice. I cut all of the nonsense out of my life, set my goals in what I want in life, and I have stuck to it. I’ve been training ever since my accident, and I have never been more determined. I feel there’s nothing or no one that can stop me, or push me off track.”

On March 13, at MCC 25: “Inferno”, Stevens will challenge Middleweight Champion, Elvis “The King” Mutapcic for his coveted title. Although Stevens will be making his MCC debut, he brings with him an impressive 13-3 professional record which includes eight wins by knock out and another three by submission. Additionally, the 6′3″ middleweight recently won a gold medal in the ADCC Grappling Competition in Las Vegas, NV. Training full time at Minnesota Mixed Martial Arts with UFC veterans Jakob Volkmann, Nick Thomson, and former UFC Lightweight Champion, Sean Sherk, his confidence is high and his sights are set on the MCC strap.

When asked for his thoughts on his opponent, Stevens commented, “I know Elvis is one dimensional as a striker. He throws tough kicks, but he’s not the kick boxer that everyone thinks he is. I think he’ll get too excited trying to end this fight, which will be dangerous for him, and it’ll be a wrap with me taking his belt. He better be patient and take his time. On the flip side, I hope he wants to stand to put on a war, and the best fight for the fans. I see Elvis getting frustrated with my stand up, dropping his hands and getting knocked out. Either that, or I can see Elvis getting frustrated with my stand up, taking me down, and then getting tapped out.”

Very strong words for someone taking on such a dominant, aggressive fighter like Elvis Mutapcic.

“I have the ability to dictate the fight. I have no weaknesses. I’m planning for the toughest, strongest, best Elvis Mutapcic there is so I hope he is training hard, brings his A game, and lives up to all the hype, because I’m bringing everything I’ve got.”

His first goal of 2010: the MCC Middleweight title. To Stevens it’s more than just a belt. It’s a culmination of the last six years of his life. It’s everything he’s put into mixed martial arts. It’s the motivation of knowing so many other MCC champions have moved on to every fighters destination; the UFC. If there’s a will, there’s a way. And, Brett Stevens is going to find his way.