CARBONDALE (WSIL) — The Southern Illinois Golden Boy, Tavae Lewis, is gearing up to enter the octagon once again. This time, as the main event for the debut of Ohio’s newest mixed martial arts promotion: Ohio Combat League I.
"It’s going to be an interesting fight, I mean, he’s a wrestler, I’m a grappler. Like I said on the back of my shorts, I’ve got something for everything, so it’s going to be really entertaining," said Lewis.
In the fight game, to move up the rankings and make a name, a fighter must take on and beat higher-ranked competitors. Lewis lost his pro debut in November 2017 by split decision, a bout he felt he won.
Since then, Lewis has won three of his last four fights, and believes he’s a more well-rounded fighter, "Whenever I first started in professional fighting, I was more used to grappling or just straight boxing, and now I’m using my kick-boxing, my Muay Thai, my boxing, my Brazilian jiu-jitsu especially, and I’m really grasping everything together. So in essence, I’m becoming a complete fighter."
Lewis� upcoming opponent, Travis "Bam Bam" Davis currently ranks third in active Ohio Pro Light Heavyweights, making this the toughest challenge yet of the Carbondale-native’s young fighting career.
Lewis thinks it’s a challenge that can take him to the next level, "Fights like this, people at the higher level, they notice that. And me beating the best of the best, I can’t call myself the best if I don’t fight the best, so stuff like this really brings in attention like that."
Lewis and Davis will square off in Columbus, Ohio on May 10.
