NFL Vet Tyler King Makes Pro MMA Debut Saturday

Posted on | January 5, 2011 | No Comments

AFO New Years Redemption
This Saturday – Mansfield, MA
www.AFOMMA.com

For the first time ever, heavyweights will take center stage in the American Fighting Organization when the first ever AFO heavyweight champion is crowed in a bout between New London, Connecticut’s Mike Dexter and Brockton, Massachusetts’ Shawn Galano this Saturday night at AFO “New Year’s Redemption” in Mansfield.

However, they’re not the only big boys who will be stepping into the cage. NFL veteran and former UConn Defensive standout Tyler King will be making his pro debut against the 6’8” Muay Thai machine James Quelle.

King, the son of former New England Patriot’s linebacker Steve King, will be making his second appearance for the AFO after earning a 1st round TKO in an amateur bout last October at AFO “Halloween Havoc”. His amateur career was brief, yet successful as he went 2-0.

Despite his amateur career being short, King feels he’s ready to go pro.

“I just turned 30. I’m no spring chicken so if I’m going to do something, I should go it now.” King said recently. “With My skill set and athletic ability, I feel like I can compete with guys at this level.”

“My plan is to go in there and try as be well rounded as possible, look for the finish and if it’s not there, try to grind it out”, he said.

Quelle, was a tad shorter with words. When asked what he knew about King, his answer was, “nothing”. When asked his prediction for the fight, his answer was “knockout”.

But both men are aware that there could be more at stake in their bout with the crowning of the AFO’s first ever heavyweight champion later in the night and it’s understood that the winner could become an eventual title challenger.

“Galano and Dexter are great fighters but I’m ready to challenge myself. If you’re not in it to win, why be in it?”, King said about the possibility of someday challenging for the AFO title.

Galano vs. Dexter for the AFO heavyweight title and King vs. Quelle are just two of over a dozen MMA fights featured at this Saturday’s “New Years Redemption” event. Also on the card, AFO welterweight champion Paddy “Thunder Kitten” Thompson defends his title against the undefeated Steve “The Sandman” Dunn and lightweight prospect Lewis Corapi takes on the heavy handed boxer turned MMA fighter Joe Powers.

Full card can be found at www.AFOMMA.com