Friday night Centurylink Arena will come alive as Bellator 155 stops in Boise for 14 fights. One of those fighters is Ricky Steele who enters Friday night bout with a perfect record.
Ricky Steele is a Capital High School graduate and has been learning martial arts his entire life. He started with his grandfather who trained with the father of American Kempo Ed Parker. Steele has been kicking his way through the ranks ever since he was five years old.
"We trained probably five to eight hours a day, then we played Nintendo. We trained karate I just loved it and ate it up,” Said Mixed Martial Arts fighter Ricky Steele.
Steele has won several mixed martial arts tournaments in the United States and has even taken his talents over to Japan to hone his craft.
"I won one of the biggest tournaments over there many years ago, we have literally been all over,” Said, Steele.
He says his energy and dedication comes from his 9-year-old daughter. When he gets in the ring he knows that he could come out banged up but as long as he has the support of his daughter, he can stay strong.
"A lot of time spent in the gym, she sees me sometimes so busted up i can't even walk that's my girl man that's everything to me,” Said, Steele.
To make ends meat, Steele maintains an asphalt business, but he has put all his eggs in the basket with fighting professionally. One day, he hopes to make a living just fighting.
"When it comes time to fighting this is what I do I'm fortunate enough to save enough money and just focus on training,” Said, Steele.
Ricky Steele will put his 5-0 record on the line against Eric Cronkite who is 4-1 in his young career. Ricky hopes to put his kicking ability to good use and kick his way to victory.
“I don't game plan I just play karate most of it falls into place I know Boise is in for a treat it's going to be one hell of a night."
Steele will be competing on the preliminary card which starts at 5:00 pm. The main card kicks off at 7:00 pm all on Friday Night at Centurylink Arena.
