The world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is filled with fighters known for their colorful character and larger than life personas. To fans worldwide, one of the most passionate and personable MMA fighters was Tom “Tommy Trauma” Sauer. Between his hunger for life and unrivaled charisma, every interaction with Tommy left followers feeling appreciated and valued.
Tommy grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and later moved to the state of Florida. Though he lived with Tourette’s – a syndrome that causes loud outbursts and involuntary body movements – Tommy never shied away from chasing his dreams.
Tommy established himself as a dominant competitor on the MMA scene through exciting fights and outrageous knockouts. His antics in the cage quickly became a fan favorite. His stature, built, and track record led fans to dub him Tommy Trauma.
Never wanting fights to be decided by judges, Tommy used his energy to provide climactic and indisputable performances. His drive resulted in dominating victories against Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) stars, including David Dodd, Jeff Monson, Rocky Batastini, Wade Rome, and Jamie Ambriz, among others. High profile wins like these cemented his name among MMA enthusiasts and verified his legitimacy as the one and only Tommy Trauma.
Tommy’s competitive mindset stretched beyond the cage. In 1999, Team Trauma, a group of fighters guided by “blue-collar” work ethic and focused on helping the community, was founded. Success and esteem became synonymous byproducts of participation in the team. Yet, Team Trauma’s badge of honor came by way of accomplishment from program participants who applied the mentorship lessons learned to the pursuit of their dreams. The result was a high caliber of fighters, most of which advanced their careers to world-renowned platforms for all to see.
Tommy was an impressive fighter and an indisputably dedicated coach. Still, he was so much more. He was compassionate, attentive, and unapologetically caring – treating everyone with respect and embracing those who needed it without hesitation. Tommy lived fully, with a driven heart and mind. Most importantly, Tommy taught us to stand for our beliefs, embrace our purpose, and never back down from life’s adventures.
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