When Jerrell Hodge (5-3) steps into the main event at Ohio Combat League 9 this weekend, it will be nearly three years since his last mixed martial arts bout.
Now 31 years old, the plan for Hodge was never to take an extended break, but that’s how things work out.
After back-to-back decision losses against Tony Gravely (now a UFC fighter) and Said Yokub, Hodge tried to stay active and get back on the winning track.
He was slated to face Michael Shields at Honor FC 10 and then Justin King at WFC 116 in 2019, but both fights fell through. Hodge also dealt with some skin irritations, fight cards being cancelled, the COVID pandemic, and the toughest thing of all – his longtime coach and father figure John Cook was diagnosed with cancer.
As to what you can expect to see when he returns to action, Hodge said that he’s still pretty much the same guy.
“I don’t think I changed much as a fighter,” Hodge said. “I’m still the same [Thunder]Kat.”
Once upon a time he was one of the fastest-rising bantamweight prospects in the area, with a memorable knockout of future UFC champion Cody Garbrandt in his second amateur bout, en route to an 8-1 record with three titles before turning pro in 2014.
After getting caught in a quick submission early in his pro debut, he rebounded with five straight wins, including victories over Isaiah Chapman and then-unbeaten Alfred Leisure.
Hodge now trains at Ares Combat Sports under the tutelage of former fighter Dave Graf, but he’s not limited to one gym.
“It’s my home gym but not the only gym,” Hodge said. “It’s good they have a lot of young and up-and-coming fighters that are hungry and they push me at practice.”
Now that he’s 31 he’s one of the elder statesmen in the gym, and he loves getting to pass on some of his knowledge to the younger generation.
“To see the next generation of fighter and working with them is great,” Hodge said. “It shows me that the sport continues to grow and I’m happy to be part of it.”
Hodge faces Michigan’s Mike Johnson (4-4) in a 140-pound catchweight bout at the event, which takes place in Newark, Ohio. Johnson has had six of his last seven planned bouts cancelled, so he’ll come into the bout with some understandable frustration.
“He is a hungry fighter,” Hodge said. “I can’t wait to share the cage with him.”
Although he’s not looking past Johnson, Hodge admitted that he has his eye on a few up-and-coming young fighters in the area that he’d like to face in the near future.
That along with a goal to make it to a big national organization is what’s on his plate for 2021.
David McKinney will provide live commentary for Ohio Combat League 9. You can purchase the live PPV here.