A.J. Atkinson

Some people are into sports, but for AJ, sports are basically a part of who he is. Whether he is watching a UFC fight, cheering for his favorite team, or training Muay Thai, he is always finding something to compete in or get better at. AJ was born in Cleveland but moved to Cincinnati when he was little. Growing up, he played basketball and lacrosse, and even now, sports are still a big part of his life. He is a big fan of Ohio State, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the New York Knicks. He is also a big fan of Neymar.

AJ watches a lot of UFC and boxing, and some of his favorite fighters are Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. About a year ago, he started doing Muay Thai and ended up really liking it. It has become one of his favorite things to do and has helped him become more disciplined.

When AJ is not doing anything sports related, he likes watching shows, movies, and anime. His favorite movie is American Gangster, and his favorite anime is Vinland Saga. AJ has an older sister and a younger brother. His grandparents on his mom’s side are from Pittsburgh, while his grandparents on his other side have passed away. “This was a super important part of my life because it taught me to persevere and be grateful for my family.” AJ was sad at the time, but sports and Muay Thai helped shape the person AJ is today.