Shannus Ryan Joseph, Saint Lucia’s heavyweight mixed martial arts (MMA) champion, is making waves across the Caribbean. Standing at a towering six feet six inches and weighing around 260 pounds, the imposing titan is building a name for himself in a sport still in its infancy on the island.
Hailing from the tiny village of Micoud, Joseph made headlines in 2024 by winning two amateur bouts under the Caribbean Ultimate Fist Fighting (CUFF) banner, including a title fight in November. He is currently the CUFF Heavyweight Champion and a trailblazer in Saint Lucian combat sports. Ranked 3 588th in the Central and South America region, Joseph is gaining attention for his size, speed, and grappling finesse.
According to Tapology.com, Joseph is “also ranked in the Central & South America sub-region of the Caribbean. With 2 or fewer total MMA fights he is automatically ranked in any region he has competed in. Once he has more fights, at least 1 out of his last 3 and 2 out of his last 6 will need to be in a region in order to remain ranked there.” Joseph is listed at heavyweight in each region, since he fought at least once in the weight class in his last two bouts.
The heavyweight’s rise epitomises Saint Lucia’s growing footprint in combat sports, especially as MMA gains traction across the Caribbean.
During a recent interview with St. Lucia Times, the budding superstar discussed his origins in the sport, his continued growth, and his ambitions. “It goes way back to when my mom placed me in karate classes. I kept thinking of being a star. I ended up working in Trinidad, and I met a sensei who introduced me to MMA. My Saint Lucian roots have also shaped my journey because of how I was raised in Saint Lucia, hard and tough,” Joseph noted in a reflective tone.
While mental strength is especially important in combat sports, Joseph revealed that his intense focus and passion help him to stay locked in. “I prepare myself mentally by just focusing on the prize and my dream. When I train, my mind is on the love of the sport and how far I can go. This puts me into beast mode!”
He added that representing his country on the global stage is a dream come true, saying it means “everything” because he is a “proud Saint Lucian.”
Joseph encouraged young locals who want to follow in his footsteps to “ensure that it’s something that [they] love and want to do and see [themselves] doing and be consistent and patient.”
Joseph’s rise to MMA prominence is part of the wider development of the sport on the island. Last month, the St. Lucia Mixed Martial Arts Federation hosted its first-ever event with the launch of the Battleground Exhibition Classic at the Beausejour Indoor Facility on Sunday afternoon, October 19. The event served as a precursor to the upcoming Saint Lucia Invitational Combat Sports Festival, slated for January 2026, and offered the public a chance to witness fighters display their skills.
At the gathering, Joseph worked as an official judge. Sitting cage side, he not only scored the various exhibition fights but also witnessed the future of the sport developing before his eyes. In the aftermath of the event, the heavyweight was hailed — belt in hand — before a decent crowd, celebrated as a champion by his own people.
Joseph’s success has energised local gyms and youth programmes striving for excellence. With two first-round finishes and a championship title already secured, he is poised to eventually transition into the professional ranks.
