Walt “The Big Ticket” Harris
Walt The Big Ticket Harris
Walter “The Big Ticket” Harris (born June 10, 1983) is an American professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and former college basketball player for the Jacksonville State Gamecocks men’s basketball team. He is ranked as the 11th best Heavyweight prospect by UltMMA.com.
College Basketball Career
Harris was recruited by Louisiana-Monroe, but ultimately chose to commit to Jacksonville State University on July 8, 2003.[2] Harris played 23 of Jacksonville State’s 28 games and started once.[3] He ended the season with 54 points, 35 rebounds, and 10 steals.[4] The team ended the season going 14-14 and came in 6th in the Ohio Valley Conference.[5]
MMA Career
Harris turned his attention to combat sports after his string of NBA tryouts didn’t allow him to become a professional basketball player. He held an amateur boxing and MMA record of 23 wins and 1 loss. His lone loss came against Strikeforce veteran Lorenz Larkin.[6]
Harris made his professional MMA debut in March 2011. He fought Justin Thornton at Hess Extreme Fighting and won by knockout in just 16 seconds.
World Extreme Fighting
Harris was supposed to face fast rising slugger Chris Barnett at WEF 45 on January 22, 2011 until Barnett had to pull out of the fight at the last minute due to a treadmill accident the day before the fight.[7] The fight was then rescheduled for WEF 46 on April 22, 2011. Barnett came into the fight 29 lbs overweight but Harris agreed to keep the fight on.[8] Harris lost the fight in a close unanimous decision.
Mixed martial arts record
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 4-1 |  Anthony Hamilton |
KO (punches) | SCC 4 – Grove vs. Silva | February 16, 2012 | 1 | 1:15 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 3-1 | Cedric James |
KO (punches) | Fight Time 7 – The Return | October 7, 2011 | 1 | 0:22 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 2-1 | Wes Little |
KO (punch) | Blood and Sand IX | May 7, 2011 | 1 | 1:54 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | Fought at a Catchweight of 230 lbs |
| Loss | 1-1 | Chris Barnett |
Decision (unanimous) | World Extreme Fighting 46 | April 22, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Orlando, Florida, United States | Barnett came in 29 lbs overweight |
| Win | 1-0 | Justin Thornton |
TKO (punches) | Hess Extreme Fighting | March 15, 2011 | 1 | 0:16 | Panama City Beach, Florida, United States |
