FORT STEWART, Ga. - Specialist Levi B. Wilkinson, a horizontal construction engineer by trade, 226th Quartermaster Company, 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, Third Infantry Division, has been a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter for six years.
He is currently training for his own competition and trains and mentors new fighters.
Specialist Wilkinson began his career playing semi-professional football. He played left tackle and left defensive end for the Springfield Stallions out of Springfield, Ill. He eventually grew out of his football career and began to search for something new.
His cousin sparked an interest in underground fighting, so Spc. Wilkinson decided to get involved with his cousin's fight club because it was a way for him to have fun and stay in shape simultaneously. Soon fighting for fun became fighting for sport and he decided to get serious.
Specialist Wilkinson began training full time at Warrior Concepts out of Springfield, Ill. in November 2008. He trained long and hard while preparing for his first fight in January 2009. He won the fight by a knockout, which is a fighter's term for a large margin, in three minutes and 57 seconds.
"The reason I won is because the guy was [too cocky]," said Spc. Wilkinson. "He just set me off."
Specialist Wilkinson is still in contact with his initial competitor, having been placed against him on multiple occasions. The two are now good friends and Spc. Wilkinson describes their relationship as a friendly rivalry.
By October 2009, Spc. Wilkinson had six fights under his belt with zero losses; then he decided to join the Army.
Specialist Wilkinson was a stay-at-home dad and wanted to contribute as the provider for his Family and serve his country. He did not want to juggle fighting, work, and Family time, so he stopped fighting for almost two years.
He joined the Army and currently works in the Supply Support Activity of the 226th QM Co. processing parts.
In May 2011, Spc. Wilkinson was given an opportunity to be in the post combatives tournament.
"It was an itch; I had been able to contain it until I started training again," said Spc. Wilkinson.
He came out of the competition with two wins and two losses and was motivated to begin fighting again. He widened his range and competed in his first Jiu Jitsu tournament, a Brazilian Martial Art form that focuses on grappling, in July 2011.
Specialist Wilkinson's weekday routine currently consists of a 4:30 a.m. wakeup, Army physical training, 9 a.m. work call, and the gym for two hours at the end of the work day at 5 p.m.
He trains in the gym using weights, cardio machines, boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai (Thai stand-up fighting), and Jiu Jitsu. Staying in his routine helps keep him stress-free and less tense at work, and he saves Sundays just for his wife and kids.
His training helps him to be a better Soldier. He is able to stay focused because of it, stays in shape and has less work-related injuries because he has a healthy body.
He is disciplined and physically and mentally tough.
Social Sharing