Floyd County native John Angel Yannis holds the Bantamweight title with FURY FC (courtesy photo)
PLAINVIEW, TX – When was the last time you saw someone fight not out of anger but with “a new heart and new spirit?”
Floyd County native John Angel Yannis had plenty of reason to be angry.
“I came up from the bottom,” he explains. “We didn’t have much growing up, and I was a misguided individual since my youth (and) I’ve literally fought my whole life.”
Yannis, the youngest of eight siblings, faced and defeated drug addiction, gang affiliation, and criminal activity.
Born in Lockney to Erminio Yannis, a cement mason, and Angie Garcia, who worked at Walmart, he grew up in Floydada and was a natural athlete participating in football, basketball, and track. And although he transferred to Springlake-Earth during his Junior year and graduated as Wolverine, a chance encounter while still in elementary opened his eyes to what one day might be “part of God’s plan for me (in) this season.”
Recently, Yannis competed in the FURY FC 73 and was crowned the Bantamweight Champion after defeating Thiago Macedo.
“FURY FC is one of the biggest MMA promotions in the nation,” the 28-year-old says. “They are connected to the UFC in that they have a UFC Fight Pass deal where all their events are aired and also push their top fighters to the big show (UFC).”
So is this where he hopes to land someday?
“My goal is to turn the dream into reality and make it to the UFC. It’s the biggest platform in the world, and I definitely want to prove I’m a world-class fighter. Along the way, I want to keep inspiring people to chase their dreams no matter the obstacles they face or their upbringing. It’s not how you start but how you finish.”
That dream will be closer to reality next month as Yannis (3-2 in his professional career) climbs back into the cage next month.
“I am now a man of faith, and that’s the main reason my life turned 180 degrees,” he adds. “I gave my life to Christ, and I saw Him and still see Him take what the enemy meant for evil and turn it for good.”
That walk of faith Yannis is on is indicative of what he tells others who want to follow in his footsteps.
“I would tell a person who’s interested in becoming an MMA fighter that discipline and consistency are key to their growth. It’s important to show up to train every day. The days you are exhausted and don’t feel like training, that’s when it’s most important that you do train. I would also say it’s a long journey, but if you embrace it, you’ll learn so much more than just fighting.”
Catch the John Angel Yannis fight on March 24, 2023 (FURY FC 77) here: https://sportstvus.com/fury-fc/?fbclid=IwAR2IpmeN7cFRGkDL7QvBmKaBxSmgsslKYGCn2qp5m_n7_7gteaojs42Dr24
