Garrett Holeve has down syndrome, but that does not stop him from doing what he loves, MMA.
Like many others with disabilities, he has found a new life with martial arts and has made him a changed man.
Growing up as a child he refused to accept that he had down syndrome. He looked down upon others that did as he did not want to be associated with them or with the disease. His mother describe him as being a “disability bigot”. While that seems a little harsh, it was reality.
In 2010, Garrett took up MMA with his father and started to train 6 days a week. It became his new life, and his new purpose. Many frowned upon his father for letting him train and compete in MMA, but he knew that is what his son wanted and he knew he was up for the challenge.
Garrett got his chance to compete in a real MMA match against a similar sized fighter with out a disability named “Monster” Mike Wilson under the fight name Garrett “G-Money” Holeve. There were no punches pulled and it was a true fight. It lasted all three rounds and in the end was declared a draw.
Now Garrett spends his time training and teaching MMA to kids at his fathers gym. He even mentors and teaches another kid with down syndrome.
Through martial arts and MMA Garrett has found himself and his meaning in life, he has accepted that he has down syndrome, and learned to accept other with the disability as well.
He wants to go the distance and will not back down from a fight. I wish him the best of luck and hope he never gives up.
Video is from the ESPN special report “Garrett’s Fight” and the original can be found here: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:9091876
