04/26/2026
PSALM 100:4-5
I can’t describe how blessed and grateful I am to be writing these words:
Thank you to all the fighters who stepped in to the cage for SMOKE & GUNS XI last night - you shed blood and put it all on the line in the name of charity. The world needs more people like you.
3 weeks ago Floyd Baker cold calls us up saying that he took a last minute MMA fight at Smoke and Guns 11 and that he would like to rep Aftermath Oklahoma. Normally, I would say no to unknowns with unknown skill sets jumping in to a fight and asking to represent the gym, but with the proceeds going to Oklahoma Burn Camp and Oklahoma Special Olympics I said yes and asked him to come train. 3 weeks isn’t a lot of time to develop any sort of conditioning or new skill set, but Floyd came in and put in the work, proving to be a workhorse (as most Firefighters are!) as well as being incredibly coachable as well. With so little time and against a much younger opponent (~20 years!!), the gameplan was to stick to the basics - crash the distance with strikes to create a takedown window for Floyds existing wrestling experience, take the fight to the ground and use dominant positioning to finish the fight with GnP. Gameplans look good on paper until you get hit, but Floyd stayed the course and executed flawlessly. As a coach I couldn’t be more proud of Floyd as a 1st responder and as a student!!
Thanks to Team Linduff for stepping in on short notice for this charitable event. Head up Marines, regroup, and come back for the next one!
Thanks to Tommy Sealock, who brought his striking expertise to bear for Mr. Baker. Fights start on the feet, and we wouldn’t have gotten to the ground without him!
Thanks to the Aftermath Oklahoma Team for helping get us ready - every roll & every round is a learning experience for all involved and we wouldn’t have a dance without all of you as training partners!
Thanks to Skiatook Fire Department for letting one of your own train and represent Skiatook, helping corner your fighter, and all of the work you do for the city!
Thanks to everyone who came out and supported not just Floyd, but the event as well. It’s heartwarming to see local support for local charities and makes Oklahoma somewhere we can be proud to call home!
Saving the best for last… thank you Floyd for your service as a Firefighter, being a coachable student, all of the planning and funding you provided for your fight and then putting Aftermath Oklahoma’s name out there. We are beyond humbled and grateful you came through the doors and are part of the team. Thank you for letting us be a part of Team Smoke this year and congratulations on your well deserved win!!
