The Champ Is Here

Not everyone that trains kickboxing dreams of becoming a Champion.  For most, getting into shape and learning technique is exactly what they’re looking for. That isn’t the case for Cody Ridout. Cody had dreams of Gold.

North American Kickboxing poster.

 TFC sat down with North American Kickboxing Champion Cody Ridout to look back on his road to success.

A former high-level football player, Cody had quite the athletic base before starting his training. Football had given him strength, agility and confidence; tools that would be very useful for a new kickboxer. Cody believes it was this base that allowed him to step into the ring for the first time after only four months of training. He described the experience for TFC:

“Standing in the ring was the most out of place I've ever felt. Looking across at a guy who had done this before, I just tried to look like I wasn't scared. I Pictured the guys on TV. "What do I do? Should I look tough? Look like I'm relaxed and don't care? Do I bounce around on my toes and get fired up right now?"

Cody had has hand raised in victory after a gruelling 3 rounds. Feeling more tired and sorer than after any football game, Cody knew he’d found his sport.

Cody celebrating a knockout win.

Cody was quick to point out that in fighting, you usually learn more from a loss than a win. Losing is not an enjoyable experience, both physically and mentally. However, Cody used a big knockout loss to help his body find another gear and reach a new level of success.

“Before my biggest fight I felt like I had to win. I lost badly 5 weeks before at a national tournament so I felt like I couldn't lose twice, I had to win this one, this was for the North American Title against a guy I've seen fight before. He was big and strong but I knew he lifted a lot of weights so I thought I could have a speed and skill advantage. That was my biggest test of not worrying about what my opponent looks like. I had to think about me and what I had to do, I learned a lot that day. After winning it was a huge feeling of relief. Seeing my opponent quit and walk back to his corner in the second round as the referee waved his arms in the air to call the end of the fight didn't seem real. Having my hand raised in Toronto as the North American champion is my biggest accomplishment in any sport I've played.”

Cody Ridout wins the North American Kickboxing Championship

Becoming a Cornerman

The path to becoming a professional fighter is not an easy one. Really, it couldn’t be further from it. People often say success takes blood, sweat and tears. However, they mean it in a metaphorical sense. When it comes to fighting, those words couldn’t be any more real. Blood, sweat and tears lay the foundation for any successful fighter. UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champ, and one of my favourite fighters Holly Holm touched on this after her upset victory over Ronda Rousey. CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO 

Becoming a UFC fighter isn’t the only end game for someone interested in martial arts. Our
first story takes us to Black Lotus Kickboxing in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. TFC had the opportunity to sit down with twenty-five year old trainer and cornerman Cody Robinson to discuss his journey through martial arts. Find out how it feels to step into the ring for the first time, discover the special relationship between fighter and cornerman and see why he fights in this exclusive TFC interview.

25 year-old Cody Robinson

TFC: Thanks for sitting down with me Cody.

You’ve been training for 4 years now. Looking back, what first brought you into a dojo?

Cody: Honestly, I was out of shape and needed something that interested me in order to stay committed. I saw the physical condition of the guys that fought on TV and was really impressed. Not just with their strength, but with how good their cardio was too. After some research, I found a kickboxing school near me and decided to give it a shot.

TFC: Did you have any plans to compete when you first walked into the dojo?

Cody: Definitely not. I thought it would be cool to one day step into the ring, but I didn’t think my skills would get me there anytime soon.

TFC: Was that the case?

Cody: Actually no. About 8 months into training, so not very long, I had the chance to compete. I’d been working hard and figured it was worth a shot, so I stepped in the ring. Man, Nothing can prepare you for the adrenaline rush you're going to feel. It’s unlike anything else and it really effects your cardio levels. I walked in thinking I was in great shape, but when the fight ended, I was more exhausted and sore than I’d ever been.

I lost, but I wasn’t upset. Well, wasn’t THAT upset.

Martial arts is about learning, and I learned more in those 3 rounds than I could have imagined.

TFC: You’re also a cornerman, what drew you to that?

Cody throws a right cross.

Cody: I understand why people see fighting and think its barbaric, but those people really need to try a class. Once they see the mental discliple and strength it takes to fight, the friendships built in the dojo and the overall positive effects training has on their body, these skeptics may change their mind. Give it a shot, it could change your life forever like it has for me.

Check in with the TFC for new interviews every week profiling up-and-coming fighters from all different styles. Discover their unique stories as they strive for success in the martial arts world.