Carlston Harris is renowned for his exploits in the octagon as a mixed martial artist in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the largest and most lucrative MMA promotional company in the world.
He is the first Guyanese to be showcased on the globally popular multi-billion dollar enterprise. While many may have heard of Harris the fighter, countless have no clue as to who he is outside of combat.
Back on home soil after 15 years, the 34 year-old Brazil-based welterweight, gave this publication a telescopic look through the lens of his personal life.
Taking some time out to speak with this daily following a gruelling training session at the newly opened Space Gym 2.0, Harris touched on the individual he is, his family, how he got into the sport and plans for his future.
Nicknamed ‘Moçambique’, he is one of 14 children for his parents, Eryl Lewis and Winston Harris, who grew up in Skeldon, Berbice, in a tight knit family and community.
Harris whose 22-fight MMA career reads 17-5 with 10 of those wins coming by way of submission and knockout added that he is a ‘very friendly guy’, a protector, and a dedicated husband.
“Carlston Harris out of the ring is a very friendly guy. I am simple and I like to have a lot of fun, as a brother I am a protector and advisor. I would say I am a dedicated husband and always working hard to build a bright future for me and my family.”
So how did Harris get into MMA?
Having left Guyana in 2007 in search of better job prospects, he moved to Manaus, Brazil, working as a mechanic. He treated boxing and Luta Livre as a hobby, until he decided to make martial arts his full time job after buying a pirated DVD of the first B.J. Penn and Diego Sanchez bout. Soon after, his coach, Junior Lopes, suggested that Harris move to Rio de Janeiro and continue his MMA training.
Making his MMA debut in 2011, Harris started his career losing a split decision to Christiano Marques. Two months later, Harris scored his first victory – submitting Bruno Renascer in the first round – followed by another decision loss in March 2012. Turning his career around, he put on a winning streak after his 1-2 start and defeated the likes of Michel Pereira, Joilton Lutterbach, and Wellington Turman, to get noticed by Brave Combat Federation.
Fast forward to May 8 last year, Harris made his UFC debut against Christian Aguilera. He won the bout via technical submission in the first round by applying an Anaconda Choke. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Harris faced Impa Kasanganay on September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 192, He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.
In this third fight with the promotion, Harris faced Shavkat Rakhmonov on February 5 earlier this year. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.
Harris, who has already made local history by becoming the first Guyanese fighter in the UFC, disclosed that his ultimate goal is “to keep fighting, continue winning, climbing the ladder, and hopefully one day fight for the title and become the first Guyanese UFC champion.”
So what was his first priority upon his return to the 592 after a decade and a half of grinding and fighting?
“To see my mom, hug her and spend some time with her. Reunite with family and friends and be seen as an inspiration to the youth so perhaps one day they can follow in my footsteps.”
His nugget of advice for upcoming sportsmen is, “Believe in yourself, have hope, dream big, work smart and hard towards your ultimate goal because nothing is impossible.”
Harris concluded by saying that post career, his plan is to give back to the sport which has positively transformed his life.
“The plan after my UFC career is to give back to the sport that I have learned during all these years, be a coach and prepare youngsters to be future champions. There are a lot of kids that look up to me and this could be life changing for them.”
Stabroek Sport wishes him well in his future endeavours in and out of the octagon.
