BIOGRAPHY
Jeremiah Truhlar (“Trū”) is a multi-discipline professional combat sports athlete, full time firefighter, entrepreneur, coach, manager and most importantly… a father. He is originally from the small town of Manhattan, Illinois where he grew up in a family of twelve children.
Being the youngest of nine boys, fighting in some form or fashion was a part of everyday life. Whether heated brawls over “turf” in the home, or the more organized — though still parentally unsanctioned — boxing bouts with winter gloves for protection, the fight was almost always on!
With a steady flow of Jackie Chan films coming in from the local library on VHS, pursuing a martial arts career was inevitable. To this day Jackie Chan vs Benny The Jet, in Meals on Wheels is Truhlar’s favorite cinematic display of hand-to-hand combat. With such a childhood, it should come as no surprise that he pursued a career in combat sports.
Truhlar, 31, now lives on Fort Cavazos, Texas where he serves as an Active-Duty Army Firefighter and raises his three children - Jasper, Scarlett and Azalea.
ABOUT
Name: Jeremiah Truhlar
Fight name: The Gentleman
Age: 32
Height: 5′ 10″
Weight: 168lbs
Divisions: 154lbs - 175lbs
Disciplines: Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Boxing
Nationality: American / Czech
Gym: Gentleman’s School of Dirty Boxing
Coaches: Reshard Hicks, Joshua Scales
2024 FFFL Professional 160 Muay Thai Champion, Texas
2023 TFC Amateur 155 Muay Thai Champion, Illinois
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• The most active combat sports athlete in Texas
• FFFL 160 Professional Muay Thai Champion
• Advanced from amateurs holding the 155lbs Muay Thai Championship Title Belt for Total Fight Challenge (TFC) out of Chicago, IL.
• 7-0 Amateur Muay Thai Record.
• Over 20 amateur fights including MMA, Muay Thai, Kickboxing and Boxing.
EARLY CAREER
Trū began his martial arts journey at the age of sixteen. His brother, Josh, and he first started training at JBMA Training Grounds where he trained for two years before fighting in his first amateur MMA contest. He won by unanimous decision. Under the coaching of Anthony Velut he went on to fight nine more times over the next few years. Fighting MMA and kickboxing between the weights of 145lbs and 175lbs, often known to take fights on as little as twenty-four-hour notice!
He retired in 2015 to start a family and focus on his career and would not step into a cage again until 2022 when he made his return to the amateur combat sports scene with a bang!
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Training?
I am a bit of a Gypsy when it comes to training, my home gym is…my home gym. My boxing coach is out of Clark’s Boxing in Killeen, and I do a lot of cross training with Blacksheep Boxing in Austin, Texas.
2. When and why did you start training for fighting?
When I was a kid, I felt like I got picked on a lot, I decided as a young teen that I was not going to go into my adulthood continuing to be a victim.
3. Do you have any heroes?
As cliche as it may sound, my dad. A small business owners with unbeatable work ethic who still always made time for his family. I strive to imitate his work ethic in my training and his passion for family in my parenting journey.
4. What does it mean for you to fight on the professional level?
This is a dream I never knew I had until last year when I restarted my fight journey. I feel like it’s more about the legacy I am leaving behind for my children. I don’t know that I even realize the impact and meaning of getting to this point!
5. Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?
None. I was homeschooled all the way through high school and had no desire to go to college. As an adult I attended the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Training academy at Triton College in Illinois, the Chicago Police Academy and the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy.
6. What was your job before you started fighting?
At this level I’m far from being able to “quit my day job”, so I currently serve as an Active Duty Firefighter with the US Army. I also have several small business ventures.
7. Specific accomplishments in amateur competition?
I retired my amateur career holding the 155lbs Muay Thai Title with Total Fight Challenge out of Chicago, IL.
8. Favorite Striking technique?
Super man punch!
All Images: Emily Rene Portraiture