2018 MMA World Championship
Donation protected
Most of you probably know that last year shortly following the 2017 IMMAF World Championships I sustained an injury. The initial prognosis from the first two doctors I met with was that my career in MMA was likely over. Fast forward almost 1 year, half a dozen specialists, and hours of physical therapy, the 2018 World Championships are right around the corner in November of 2018. Bringing home the Bronze medal to the United States last year is easily the highest accomplishment of my MMA career so far, but now it’s time to push further. 1 point, on a single judge’s scorecard kept me from fighting for gold last year. The time has come to get back to Bahrain and settle that score.
Mixed Martial Arts has not yet been recognized as an Olympic sport, but the people at UMMAF are working hard to make it happen as early as 2028. None of the UMMAF staff, or athletes are paid. Everyone working for UMMAF does so on a volunteer basis. All funding comes from sponsorship and donations. UMMAF is doing their best to acquire funding for the athletes to compete, but at this time, we are expected to come up with funds on our own. The estimated total cost per athlete is approximately $2070.
-$1200 airfare
-$870 registration/participation
Any additional funds raised will be applied towards the cost of airfare for coaches.
In addition to working extra hours to come up with as much of the cost as possible on my own, I expect to be training 25 to 30 hours per week in preparation for the tournament.
As fighters, we accept all obstacles put in front of us as simply part of the journey. This is no different, but any donation, no matter the size helps. It will be appreciated more than I can possibly explain. This is more than just a plane ticket to me. Everything in my life revolves around MMA and this tournament provides an unparalleled opportunity for young fighters to gain the exposure they need to advance their careers.
With the help of your donation, we will show the rest of the world that the United States is the without a doubt, a powerhouse in the world of MMA.
Donation or not, thanks for reading.
-Sean "The Sweetheart" Stebbins
Mixed Martial Arts has not yet been recognized as an Olympic sport, but the people at UMMAF are working hard to make it happen as early as 2028. None of the UMMAF staff, or athletes are paid. Everyone working for UMMAF does so on a volunteer basis. All funding comes from sponsorship and donations. UMMAF is doing their best to acquire funding for the athletes to compete, but at this time, we are expected to come up with funds on our own. The estimated total cost per athlete is approximately $2070.
-$1200 airfare
-$870 registration/participation
Any additional funds raised will be applied towards the cost of airfare for coaches.
In addition to working extra hours to come up with as much of the cost as possible on my own, I expect to be training 25 to 30 hours per week in preparation for the tournament.
As fighters, we accept all obstacles put in front of us as simply part of the journey. This is no different, but any donation, no matter the size helps. It will be appreciated more than I can possibly explain. This is more than just a plane ticket to me. Everything in my life revolves around MMA and this tournament provides an unparalleled opportunity for young fighters to gain the exposure they need to advance their careers.
With the help of your donation, we will show the rest of the world that the United States is the without a doubt, a powerhouse in the world of MMA.
Donation or not, thanks for reading.
-Sean "The Sweetheart" Stebbins
Organizer
Sean Stebbins
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
