TVLSE, Okla. – Sampson Tabbytite (Mvskoke/Kiowa/Commanche) won his first professional kickboxing debut by unanimous decision at the Xtreme Fight Night: XFN. It was hosted by Dale Cook at the River Spirit Casino and Resort Paradise Cove on April 14.
Tabbytite visited Mvskoke Radio before the fight on March 29 and after on April 19 where he shared exciting changes that happened over the course of the three weeks, including his victory.
Tabbytite battled opponent Raul Garcia for three rounds, each round lasting three minutes. The fight took place in less than ten minutes and involved intense fighting.
“The fight everyone has been waiting for,” the announcer said. Calling out both fighters, the crowd reacted loudly when Tabbytites’ name was announced. Local area fans were ecstatic, many Native Americans were there in support of Tabbytite, including his family.
“Just being able to represent my tribe, being Native in general, I am Creek, Kiowa and Commanche. I hold honor in being able to represent my family,” Tabbytite said.
The Fight
The opponents were a bit hesitant at first, as they tried to get a feel for one other as kickboxers.
“The first round is like a feeler round,” Tabbytite said. “You never know how hard someone is going to hit. Every fight is different.”
Known for his striking abilities, Tabbytite took his jabs at Garcia, making good contact which gained him a few points here and there. Garcia, not much of an aggressor, fought back with hard, low kicks to Tabbytites’ knees and legs.
“He did land some good leg kicks,” Tabbytite said.
Admittedly sore from the kicks, Tabbytite had few injuries or alternative soreness, other than the top of his own foot that he was using to kick with.
As the bell rang indicating the end of the first round, Tabbytite felt the adrenaline from the successful round.
“I felt like I was in control the whole time,” he said.
The second round started intensely as the fighters went right up to each other.
Spectating fans called Garcia the “Mexican Battery” for his energetic bouncing as he continued to lose the fight without quitting.
“It was all pressure,” Tabbytite said. “I head kicked him and he shook it off and came right back at me.”
Tabbytite remained composed and technical in his delivery.
“I had to pick my shots and not get reckless,” he said.
Tabbytite took Garcia to the ground multiple times in the final round with kicks to the head and legs along with direct punches to the face.
After a roundhouse straight kick knocked Garcia down, he came back for more and more. Tabbytite served him punches, knees to the body, kicks and ultimately knocked him down with a side swipe to the chin.
It was not a knockout, but the bell rang and the final round ended.
“I thought I was going to be able to finish it in the first round,” Tabbytite said. “He was tough, he never gave up.”
Tabbytite threw his hands up in victory because he knew he had won.
The crowd roared as the announcer yelled over the microphone,
“Your winner is Sampson Tabbytite!”
On A Winning Streak
Merely a year into his professional fighting career, Tabbytite has been on a winning streak. He previously fought MMA grappling-style matches. His last match was in October 2022.
After months of practicing and preparing for a MMA grappling match in the 125 lbs weight class against a different opponent, Tabbytite received devastating news that his opponent Joe McCormick had backed out, less than a week from the match.
“My opponent pulled out for a nagging injury,” he said.
As a professional fighter, Tabbytite devotes each minute of his working schedule to fighting. Aside from doing security gigs at local bars, professional fighting pays the bills.
Tabbytite’s focus would shift with a family depending on him. Tabbytite told his managers he had to fight.
Honed in, he knew that there were obstacles set against him that he would have to overcome.
“We don’t get paid if we don’t fight,” he said.
Just four days out from “fight day”, Tabbytites’ managers proposed that his only option was to fight in a higher kickboxing weight class.
Taking the deal, Tabbytite made his professional kickboxing debut in the 135 lb weight class. He came out with a “W” as he calls it.
“We still got that ‘W’, just in a different rule set,” he said.
His winning speech gave shoutouts to his supporters and even said, “We did it mom!”
Family Over Everything
Tabbytites’ mother stood in the crowd with tears rolling down her face.
“It’s hard for her to watch me fight,” he said. “She’s really proud of me.”
Fighting is deeply rooted in Tabbytites’ family with both his grandparents being Native American veterans of World War II.
Tabbytite misses his younger brother Daniel, who is incarcerated. He wears a beaded necklace that Daniel sent to him as a gift. He took it off as he went into the cage and put it back on once the fight was done.
Growing up wasn’t easy for Tabbytite. He stayed in foster care and in the Murrow Indian Children’s Home while his parents were incarcerated.
“I know what it’s like growing up in Okmulgee with no role models and nothing to do,” Tabbytite said.
Lacking stability, Tabbytite claimed he was not able to participate in sports or athletics during the course of his childhood, but growing up with brothers made for a lot of fighting.
As he aged and became a stable adult, he felt like he could use his competitive nature to do something he loved. Not only was it a passion, it was a stress reliever, an anger reliever, and a healthy way to escape without using drugs or alcohol. It was a way to showcase his athletic talent.
“I was facing a lot of demons myself,” Tabbytite said. “But, I never really liked to party.”
Longtime girlfriend, and mother of his children Brooklynn Freeman (Mvskoke) not only enjoys watching her “fighter” but also joins him in the gym and will be making her debut at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee on May 27.
“She is my number one fan and biggest supporter,” Tabbytite said.
Fighting is a family affair, as the fighting couple has their two young boys ready to hit the gym as well.
The role Tabbytite plays in his children’s lives is important, and is what gives him strength to keep going. Tabbytite only wishes his UFC-loving father could see his success today.
According to Tabbyite, he’s not in this for fame or fortune.
“I grew up poor and I still struggle to this day,” he said. “But this is a dream I’m chasing.”
To watch Tabbytite’s career in the ring, follow him on social media as he chases his dream at Sampson Tabbytite FightPage on Facebook and sampsontabbytitemma on Instagram.