When James Krause stepped in on 24 hours’ notice to move up a weight class and fight at UFC 247, he was rightfully applauded for his gesture.
However, his middleweight opponent, Trevin Giles, also made a courageous decision – though he’s not one to brag.
Born in Texas, Giles (12-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) lives in Houston and works for the Houston police department. He didn’t have to accept a fight against a dangerous opponent with virtually no notice, but he also didn’t want to let down those who came out to support him.
Giles won the hard-fought preliminary bout via split decision. In doing so, the win snapped a two-fight losing streak and potentially saved his UFC job.
Giles’ loyalty is nothing new. According to his manager, Oren Hodak, Giles was put in a difficult position in late 2019. That’s when he chose loyalty over his athletic dreams.
When the UFC came knocking for Giles to fight Antonio Arroyo at UFC on ESPN+ 22, Giles was faced with a tough decision: would he take the fight and leave public service, or would he decline to fight and risk his UFC aspirations? Given that Giles had lost his previous two fights, this was a tough call. But after verbally accepting the fight, Giles chose couldn’t in good conscience leave his unit in the dust.
He ultimately declined, choosing to put his police priorities first.
“Our longstanding relationship with the matchmakers had us confident that the right timing and opportunity would present itself,” Hodak told MMA Junkie. “It was hard to turn down the first fight offer, but Trevin has a duty to the city of Houston and his follow officers that he holds himself accountable for.”
It was a risky maneuver, but one that ultimately paid off. Months later, the promotion went back to the well and offered Arroyo again, this time at UFC 247.
As the old saying goes, it takes two to tango – so props to Krause and Giles for the effort turned in at UFC 247.
