Clinton resident Nick Campbell, aka "The Nutshell," recently stepped into the ring at Strikefest 17 to face off against Kemper Johnson for the TN State Middleweight Championship. Campbell's dedication and perseverance were on full display as he battled his way through the six-round match for over 25 minutes.
Campbell's training camp was a grueling regimen that began every day at 3:30 am. He would drive an hour to the gym for a 2-hour training session, followed by meal prep, work, and a 5-10 mile run or swimming session at the local Clinton YMCA. "It was a ton of work, but it's all fuel to my fire when I get in there to fight," Campbell said.
On the day of the fight, Campbell relied on his faith to calm his nerves, listening to gospel and worship music on his headphones. He also made time for a pre-fight meditation session, taking a small hike to center himself. "Praying helps me stay confident and takes the pressure off," he explained.
The highly competitive match ultimately ended in a tie, with both fighters giving it their all. Despite the outcome, Campbell's confidence in his striking abilities has been boosted. "The outcome of the fight helps my confidence in striking in MMA and proves that I have what it takes to step into the ring with the best boxers in the world," Campbell said.
As he looks to the future, Campbell plans to continue pushing himself, focusing on self-improvement and exploring new ways to grow as a fighter. "Fighting is all a mental game. You have to make sure your mind is where it needs to be during the whole fight camp," he advised.
Campbell expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his fans, stating that their support means everything to him. "The support alone means the world to me. I do this all for my fans, and to make them happy, makes me happy," he said.
As Campbell looks to his next challenge, he's already reflecting on what he could have done differently in the fight. "The only thing I think I should've done differently is, at times, let loose a little more to ensure a knockout," he said. With this newfound insight, Campbell is poised to come back stronger and more determined than ever.
