Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of interviewing an emerging MMA prospect out of Kingston, New York by the name of Devin Olen. I learned a lot about the young fighter over the course of our ninety minute conversation, which left me feeling certain that Devin Olen will one day cement a legacy.
Before we delved into talking about mixed martial arts, I asked him to share his life story with me so I could gain insight on how he initially got into fighting. Not everyone is fit for the fight game, but after hearing his story it was obvious Olen was bred for the lifestyle.
Olen grew up in the type of conditions that will often break someone; especially a child. Yet, early on he learned that rising above life’s misfortunes would be the only way to get him and his family out of their situation. Olen and his siblings were largely raised by a single mother who did all she could to put food on the table and provide for them.
There is no disdain in Olen’s voice when he talks about his family and financial situation though. He credits his mom for doing what she could to keep a roof over his head; while also crediting his late father for always supporting his decision to start fighting.
A lot of what drives Olen to be successful is the conditions in which he grew up in. He’s not ashamed or embarrassed of his childhood; instead he’s learned to embrace the hardships that life has thrown at him and use them to his advantage.
When discussing the many obstacles he has faced over the years, Olen said something that really stood out to me.
He said “No matter what I do for a living, I gotta have seven different ways to make money,” Olen revealed. “There’s always got to be back-up plans because you never know what life will throw at you.”
Right now for Devin Olen, plan A is becoming the best mixed martial artist that he can be. He began training seven years back at Black and Blue MMA (now called Dutcher Martial Arts) in his hometown. Over that span he has worked his way to a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu under renowned professor and gym founder Nolan Dutcher. Olen told me that when he first started training BJJ at 13, he would come home after class and teach everything he learned to his longtime friend Nasia Kapeluck. The two have remained friends and Olen recognizes Nasia as his brother, as well as striking coach.
Olen made his amateur debut for a Northeast MMA organization called Cage Wars at the young age of 20. I was eager to know what was going through his head as he walked towards the octagon for the first time. He explained how he was able to do a good job maintaining control over his adrenaline as he made his way to the cage. He also noted that he had extreme tunnel vision and once the octagon door closed he blacked out and did what he does best, fight. Olen scored an impressive second round knockout finish in his first amateur fight, which happened to take place on his dad’s birthdate.
As it stands today, Olen possesses a 2-0 amateur record and hopes to fight again this summer. Anyone who watches his two fights on YouTube can immediately see how relaxed and confident he is both on the ground and standing up.
I wanted to know what the goals were of the rising mixed martial artist, to which he responded with three main aspirations.
“I want to be champion in a big organization like UFC, Bellator, One FC, etc.,” he asserted. “I also have to be capable of getting my family out of their financial struggles,” he replied. When it’s all said and done I’d like to leave a lasting legacy in the fight game.”
Olen also acknowledged the inevitability of a short-lived career as a fighter by chronicling other ways he could use his knowledge of fighting.
He said “I know I could do commentating and I could definitely coach if I get seriously injured and cannot fight, but for now all my focus is on becoming a champion.”
Even now in the midst of training, Olen loves to donate his time to coaching kids at the gym.
The thing that I took away most from my interview with Devin Olen was that he carries with him wisdom that expands beyond his years. His life experiences both good and bad have him determined to be successful.
Look for Olen to test the professional waters within the next two years.
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