Sharice Davids may have a single victory as a professional MMA fighter and five victories as an amateur MMA fighter, but her biggest victory took place outside of the Octagon and in the political spectrum.
Davids would defeat Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder to win Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, making her the first suburban democrat to win a seat in Kansas City in over a decade.
History was also made in another way by Davids because she became the first openly gay person to serve as a congresswoman or congressman in Kansas.
A newly elected Davids said the following during her victory speech, which was transcribed by The Kansas City Star:
“We have the opportunity to reset expectations about what people think when they think of Kansas. We know there are so many of us who welcome everyone, who see everyone and who know that everyone should have the opportunity to succeed.”
The retired MMA fighter did tryout for the UFC Ultimate Fighter 20, but did not get selected to be a part of the reality show. Davids last competed in March of 2014, suffering a defeat to Rose Acevedo via unanimous decision at Legion Combat Sports 18: Purgatory. Davids had much more success as an amateur MMA fighter, winning five of six bouts before turning pro.
