13 years. 25 professional fights. Multiple championships. One mission: teach other fighters what it takes to compete at the elite level.
Eric Shelton grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma. Like most kids who find their way to fighting, it started with discipline and a desire to test himself. But unlike most, he stuck with it.
In 2013, at 22 years old, he turned professional. What followed was a career defined by constant improvement, multiple championship wins, and enough experience against elite-level competition to understand what separates good fighters from great ones.
Competition Record
Organizations
UFC (multiple appearances)
The Ultimate Fighter Tournament
Regional Championship Circuit
Elite-level competition across promotions
Precision beats power. Consistency beats intensity. The fighters who last in this sport are the ones who understand fundamentals and execute them flawlessly under pressure.
You don't become a championship-level fighter by training with beginners. Elevation comes from surrounding yourself with people who push you. Hard rounds with skilled partners. Coaches who demand your best.
Fighting exposes who you are. Your character shows in the octagon. The mental toughness, work ethic, and integrity you build in training—that is what wins fights.
After 13 years fighting, Eric could have walked away. But he chose to stay in the sport because he believes in building the next generation of fighters. Not entertainment fighters. Not gym-only competitors. Real fighters with real skill.
Take The Fight Academy is built on the same principles that made Eric successful: technical precision, elite-level coaching, and an environment where people don't just get comfortable—they get better.
Training under someone who has actually done it. Who has fought at the highest level. Who knows what works and what doesn't. That's what makes the difference.
Not shortcuts. Not adapted methods. The same techniques Eric competed with at the professional level, taught to you.
A fighter's ego is their weakness. Eric coaches humble fighters who understand they're always learning, always improving.
Iron sharpens iron. The best fighters come from communities where everyone pushes each other. You'll train with discipline and teammates who demand your best.
Training is about building character. Discipline. Integrity. Resilience. The physical skills follow from the mental and spiritual foundation.