Originally published July 29, 2007

Fighting is in Odom's blood

By St. Clair Murraine
DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Josh Odom faced quite a conundrum during the early stages of his mixed-martial-arts career. The military beckoned. An opportunity in law enforcement also was on the table.

"It was one of those things that happened so fast," said Odom, an FSU graduate who calls Tallahassee home. "I always wanted to be in martial arts or police.
        
"I was seeing which one took off and I got called (to Iraq), so I knew that's where I was going. A lot of good, a lot of bad came along with it, but I'm glad I did it."

During the last year, every other possible vocation has been on hold while Odom, 25, pursues a mixed-martial-arts career. He's become so good at it that his name is one of the most recognizable in a sport that's growing at a pace as rapid as the furious competition that takes place in the ring.

His mission, Odom said, is to become good enough to make ample money to support a family. He's on his way - earlier this year he married Suzanne Simpson, and he's already started making a decent living as a fighter.

Before long, he said, he wants to "live the normal life." That includes teaching at Tallahassee Mixed Martial Art, a school he plans to open next month on Capital Circle.

Right now he's banking on his fighting.

"I hope this helps me get there quicker, instead of working the standard 8-to-5 job," he said. "I train how I want, and I like that freedom."

His rise from being just another fighter in the Tallahassee Fight Club is in part because of his ties to MMA legend Frank Shamrock. He signed Odom last year to the International Fight League and gave him the lightweight (146 to 155 pounds) spot with the Razorclaws of San Jose, the team Shamrock coaches.

"Fighting is pretty simple, but it takes a long time to get good at it," Shamrock said during a telephone interview. "Josh took his time, trained hard and made himself a professional.

"Josh is a great competitor because he is a real team fighter. He was the first guy to step up and risk getting hurt and try to get something done."

As a member of the Razorclaws, Odom competes in a fight-team league that runs from January to June. He developed quickly as a prospect in MMA, which is a variation of martial art including kickboxing.

Odom's record this past season was 1-3 for a career mark of 4-4. His team didn't advance into the postseason. The top teams move on with a shot at competing for the world championship in September.

Odom was toiling on the MMA club circuit when Shamrock got a glimpse of his talent. The offer to pick up a paycheck for a few hundred dollars took Odom out West, but it paid off big when Shamrock saw his ability.

Odom went from fighting for what amounts to pocket change to making more than $50,000 for the bouts he's had in his first season in the IFL. He could make much more because of the incentives of bonuses of $1,000 or more that come with certain wins.

Odom signed with the IFL after serving 13 months on combat patrol in Iraq. Shamrock, who remembered him from a show years earlier, invited him to San Jose for a tryout, where he noticed Odom's potential.

He might not be too far from superstar status, Shamrock said.

"It's just a matter of winning the right fights and keeping people excited and talking about you," Shamrock said.

Odom is already a favorite with the fans, said Tiffany Fallon, a former Golden Girl at FSU. She is co-host of IFL's "Battleground," a Monday night MMA series on FSN.

"Outside of the ring he's a real quiet guy, but inside the ring he's a real warrior," she said. "It's fun to watch him. Josh is a stellar example of somebody who has served our country and is very passionate about what he's doing. You can't help but root for him."