TST Earns Shot at Heavyweight Title!!!

Dalton “Too Strong” Taylor’s 3-round drubbing of Devorio Evans has taken him from #1 heavyweight to title contender.  Taylor (3-0) has officially signed on for a 5-round MMA bout at Fight For It 9, where he will compete for the vacant Heavyweight Title.

This will be TST’s first title fight and expectations are high.  Taylor understands that a championship win cements his place as a future UFC contender, another stepping stone on his journey to UFC gold.  A win also fulfills his commitment to sponsors, coaches, and friends who have supported him in his journey.  This is a fight that opens new doors, creates opportunities, and silences anyone who doubted him.

But none of that motivates him.  TST is focused exclusively on fulfilling his promise to his wife Alex who passed away last year - a promise to become champion and use his influence to change the world.

Before he can be a title holder, Taylor will have to make it through Caleb Harris (6-5). Harris is a warrior on a resurgence.  After early several early successes in his career, Harris suffered a 4-fight losing streak.  He took time to recalibrate, spent 17 months training, and reemerged in crushing fashion.  His first round knockout of Tristan Hatfield now has local fight fans calling him “The Punisher.”  Nearly a year later he is stepping into the cage with experience, maturity, and motivations that he lacked in his earlier fights.

On paper this is a hard fight for both men, with most experts giving Taylor the edge.  Harris is an experienced fighter with a string of knockouts.  But Taylor is a transcendent athlete with exceptional fight IQ and fighting out of one of the best gyms in the country.  All those who have seen Taylor in person are expecting a lighting fast and blisteringly intense battle between the two men, ending with Taylor’s first gold around his waist.

Tickets are on sale now. Use the link for an exclusive $5 off.  Don’t miss the opportunity to witness history in the making!

Dalton Taylor Vs. Caleb Harris

Fight For It 9

Carolina Select Sportsplex

November 23, 2019 @ 5:00 PM

Post-Fight Q&A with #1 Heavyweight Dalton Taylor

TST dominated all 3 rounds against Devorio Evans (0-1-0) on his way to a decision victory.  Key to Taylor’s victory was his ability to keep the fight standing and deliver his, now signature, Flurry of Blows to crumple his opponent.

For the casual fan, Taylor’s standup and striking are pure entertainment.  He throws at a volume and pace that is drawing comparisons to Nate Diaz and Colby Covington.  But for the more discerning fan, TST put on a clinic in defensive wrestling that impressed even the most experienced wrestlers. 

Evans, a decorated high school wrestler and D1 prospect, tried every trick in the book to bring Taylor to the mat.  Taylor’s patience, composure, and preparation were evident.  It’s clear that coaches Billy Dowey and John “Country” Allen, both storied grapplers, have prepared TST to compete with the best.

For fans, that means exciting strike-fests with plenty of hard hitting action.  For opponents, it’s a red flag that for all the danger TST poses on the feet, his ground game may be a vicious secret weapon.  

We had a chance to catch up with TST after the fight to ask him a few questions.  Check out the highlights then hit the jump for our exclusive interview with TST!

What did you and your coaches do differently in preparing for this fight?

Man. Honestly we kept the game plan that “there isn’t a game plan”.  Go out there and be a martial artist.  It wasn’t a lot of change for this camp.  I can’t really build camps around guys who are still growing and getting their experience.  They might not be the same fighter today that they were 2-months ago.  And you never know what a debut guy might have. 

We know he’s a wrestler, but I’m a complete mixed martial artist.  He has so many aspects that he has to prepare for to compete with me.  We, of course, know what he’s likely to do as a wrestling guy, and having responses for those things was part of the training.  But it wasn’t a big change in terms of what I’m doing in the gym every day.

So staying fundamental was key.  Distance, timing.  And Cardio. Our main training component was cardio as that’s my best strength.  It’s the reason I’m up at 5:30 every morning getting that work in.

I’m in a position now where it’s all about being well rounded and getting better.  Later, when we’re in the UFC, I can focus on specific opponents and game plans.  But right now it’s about me and where I am as a fighter.

This win solidifies your #1 ranking in NC and moves you to #12 in the southeast.  How does that feel?

It feels really good to be honest.  Where I was 1 year ago with my wife passing away and being 330 pounds and trying to find myself, it was dark.  Knowing that hard work and effort is being seen, that it’s reaching people and inspiring people feels really good. 

This is solidifying my path to UFC Championship.  Those ranks are part of the checklist for becoming a champion.  I’m making a statement. 

It’s just one aspect of what I want to do next, for me, and my team, and the fans.  It feels great to show them and people like Dana White that I’m this good today.  I’m only getting better and I’ll be this good and better when I’m in the UFC. 

It’s also great to see that people are behind me and supporting not just me, but the people who are with me.  It’s feels good and getting a taste of what it’ll be like to be number one in the UFC is great.

Being ranked number one, now I know guys are coming for me and that’s a different feeling.  Knowing that guys are coming after me and I have to be prepared for that is one more motivation.  I’ve got something they want, but can’t have.

You had 6 months between fights.  When do you think we’ll see you back in the cage?

Looking to do title fights from here on out.  At the moment, we’re in talks with Fight For It, who I fought for previously.  Possibly fighting November 23rd in Hickory, NC.  So put that on your calendars and start planning your car pools.

If not in November, absolutely in January or February here in Raleigh.  That will be huge, not just for me, but for the fans and sponsors who haven’t been able to see me live because of how far away my fights have been.

If those both happen, that’s five wins in less than a year.  Going 5-0 is a big deal, especially in this division.

After this fight I’m pro eligible, so… the timeline for me to go pro is becoming clear.

I do want the experience here at amateur for a couple more, because there’s no reset button after you go pro and are fighting the best guys in the world.  I want to stay active, get in my cage time, and make sure that I feel like I’m as much myself in the cage as I am in the gym.  I’m getting there, but I’m not there yet.

So in the next 6-7 weeks hopefully I’ll be back in there.

Dalton “Too Strong” Taylor is the #1 ranked amateur MMA heavyweight in North Carolina.  For media and interview opportunities, contact his management team at chris@thinkarp.com or (919) 841-2712.

Too Strong Taylor Returns to G-Vegas for Next Level Fight Club 11

Dalton “Too Strong” Taylor is returning to Greenville, NC on September 28th, 2019 at the Greenville Convention Center for Next Level Fight Club 11.  

Next Level Fight Club, widely considered the most competitive promotion in North Carolina, matches TST against a debuting Devo Evans.  While Taylor is clearly the favorite at 2-0, Evans is a North Carolina wrestling standout and gifted athlete.  This match-up will be a true test for both men as they step into the cage.

Will Taylor have the grappling prowess to handle a legitimate and accomplished wrestler?

Will Evans have the composure and grit to go 3 rounds with North Carolina’s top ranked heavyweight?

Those closest to TST know he has worked tirelessly to better himself since his last fight in May 2019.  Training has been his life and he is ready to put that hard work to good use.  Coaches Bill Dowey and John “Country” Allen are legendary grapplers who have dedicated substantial personal attention to Taylor’s training.  If they have been able to shape their fighter into the best version of himself, Taylor should be more than tough enough to manage Evan’s wrestling.

In other exciting news, Taylor’s is rewarding fans for their patience.  Intending to fight 4-5 times this year, Taylor has instead fought only twice.  Multiple opponents have declined to fight Taylor, having witnessed his absolute destruction of Gabe Tayara and the titan-like durability that he showed during his battle against Marquell Fulwood-Jones.

As a reward for their patience, fans who purchase the all-new white TST walk out shirts will receive discounts on in-person tickets purchased from Taylor or his management team!

Don’t be surprised if you show up in Greenville, NC on September 28th and are swept up in a sea of fans from the TSTNation!

FOR TICKET AND T-SHIRT INFO CONTACT TST DIRECTLY VIA SOCIAL MEDIA OR USE THE “CONTACT US” OPTION AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE. DON’T FORGET TO USE THE EXCLUSIVE COUPON CODE: TOOSTRONGTAYLOR