Last Updated on May 7, 2012.
Meet 9-year-old Caitlin ‘Meathook’ Kelley – a mixed martial arts fighter
TAMPA – She is a pocketful of dynamite – 9-year-old Caitlin Kelley. Caitlin trains as a MMA, which stands for Mixed Martial Arts, fighter.
Caitlin trains at Tiger Shulman’s Mixed Martial Arts off Racetrack Road, where the focus is on promoting self-esteem and instilling in the kids “a non-quitting spirit.”
Caitlin competes under the name ‘Meathook Kelley.’ Since she started, her career has started to take off. Right now she is ranked #4 in Florida, #7 in the southeast, and #13 in the U.S. in submission grappling.
According to her father, Hillsborough County Traffic Detective, James Kelley, she just loves it, and would be in the gym every day if she could.
Caitlin, despite all her belts, trophies, and metals she has won competing against both girls and boys, is still a little girl at heart.
When I asked her what she thinks of before a match, her response was, “Justin Bieber.”
Justin Bieber – watch out because ‘Meathook’ is a little power house, and when she has her sights on something, not much can stop her.