Following one of the more impressive amateur fighting careers in recent memory, Gabe “The Freight Train” Rednose is looking to make history by becoming the first professional mixed-martial artist in the history of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe.
“We have 16,000 people in my tribe – I’m the first professional fighter,” Rednose said in an interview with Cageside Press. “I carry that with honor. I really take a lot of pride in being Native American.”
Rednose was bullied as a kid due to his lighter complexion, but that did not deter him from making something of himself and remaining proud to represent Native Americans across the country.
“I’ve always gotten judged because my skin color is a little bit lighter than most Native Americans. My dad and I have different skin colors, and I just had to grow up with that my whole life. All the Natives would call me white boy and all the white boys would make fun of me for being Native,” Rednose said. “I’m very proud to be Native American. I’m very proud to represent the CNA tribe. I’m going to take it as far as I can.”
The Oklahoman fighter finished (8-2) as an amateur, securing victories at both heavyweight and light heavyweight while finishing his opponents in each and every one of his wins – a record that Rednose hopes to keep intact moving forward.
“I know it’s going to be a hard task to do at the professional level, but I’m going to try my hardest to keep my (100% finish rate) going as long as I can,” Rednose said. “I like to get in there and get out as fast as I can.”
Rednose struggled with confidence at times in the past, as he lacked a true head coach – and even a real gym to call home throughout most of his amateur career.
“I trained out of my garage, man, for like the first five or six fights of my amateur career,” Rednose said. “So, it kind of always made me doubt myself a little bit just because I didn’t come from a real gym for the longest time.”
That doubt went out the window the day that Rednose met his current head coach, Joe Stevenson.
“I’ve had a lot of great coaches in my life growing up – Joe is by far the best coach I’ve ever had. He can break down this game to a level that I can’t even explain. He’s been a great mentor for me, he’s helped me grow my relationship with God. He’s very religious and that’s important to me and my family. He’s the right person to be in my corner coaching me and being there every step of the way,” Rednose said.
Rednose did travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, however, to learn from some of the greatest minds in the sport at Jackson Wink MMA Academy.
“Back in 2019, I got a lot of good rounds in with Jon Jones. There were some tough guys at Jackson Wink,” Rednose said. “Diego Sanchez was out there at the time, Mike Perry, Cowboy Cerrone. That was like my first real experience of leaving home and training elsewhere in a real gym. It was amazing. It was an experience of a lifetime for sure.”
In recent times, Rednose has completed most of his training in California, where he’s grateful to be able to call UFC Light Heavyweight Dominick Reyes one of his primary sparring partners.
With the right coaches and teammates by his side, Rednose feels supremely confident in his abilities as he looks to kick off his professional fighting career with a statement victory come October.
“I’m 100% going to get a win in this professional debut, no doubt about it. It’s going to mean a lot to me,” Rednose said. “I feel like God put me on this earth to do this, and I have the skills and the capabilities of advancing even further to the next level, and that’s what I’m going to try my hardest to do. I’m just blessed with this opportunity to try and change my kids’ future.”
Rednose fought in the heavyweight division throughout the majority of his amateur days, though he’s set to compete at 205 LBS when he makes his pro debut for King of the Cage in Worley, Idaho on October 10, live on Pluto TV.
The Native American fighter urges fans in attendance and viewers from around the world to stay in their seats and have their popcorn ready when he makes the walk to the cage.
“It will be a first round finish,” Rednose said. “I give you guys my word.”
Gabe Rednose makes his professional debut for King of the Cage on October 10 at Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort in Worley, Idaho – Live on Pluto TV.
