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Kody Mommaerts (born October 23, 1995) more commonly known as 'Big Mo'[1][2][3] is an American entertainer and combat sports ring announcer.[4] He is currently the official Ring Announcer for the boxing promotion BOXXER which airs on Sky Sports,[5][6] and BYB Extreme Fighting Series which airs on BEIN Sports XTRA and Fight Network.[7][8]
Kody 'BIG MO' Mommaerts | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 23, 1995 |
| Education | MBA |
| Occupation(s) | Ring Announcer, Entertainer, Actor, Businessman |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) |
| Website | ThisIsBigMo.com |
Early life and athletic background
editKody Robert Mommaerts was born in Oceanside, California on October 23, 1995.
From an early age, due to his physical attributes, Mommaerts was very involved in sports and athletics. Mommaerts’ first sport that he seriously trained in was Shotokhan Karate which began his love for martial arts. He trained in the discipline for nearly 7 years alongside many skilled Karateka’s most notably being Kamran Madani.[9]
After being a standout offensive lineman in high school at Monarch High School in Louisville, Colorado,[10] he committed play college football at the Division I level and attend the University of Northern Colorado.[11]
College football and academic career
editMommaerts attended the University of Northern Colorado where he played football for 5 years as an offensive lineman, in a backup role.[12]
Mommaerts graduated early with his Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing from the Monfort College of Business. With football eligibility still remaining, he pursued, and received a Master's Degree in Business Administration[13]
Mommaerts was also an award-winning student, competing in,[14] and winning international business competitions.[15][16]
Ring Announcing Career
editBoxing
editBig Mo is currently the official Ring Announcer for the boxing promotion BOXXER owned by promoter Ben Shalom which broadcasts on Sky Sports.[17]
Mommaerts also announced the Eddie Hall vs. Hafþór Björnsson fight in Dubai in March 2022.
Bareknuckle
editBig Mo is currently the Ring Announcer for BYB Extreme Fighting Series[18]
MMA
editMommaerts' first job was with Sparta Sports & Entertainment where he was brought on as a color-commentator. Shortly after, he took over the ring announcer role. He is also the ring announcer for XMMA.[19]
Lethwei
editMo was the first person to ever to announce Lethwei in North America, for the rematch between Dave Leduc and Cyrus Washington.[20]
Filmography & Acting Career
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Mike (miniseries) | Announcer |
| 2022 - Current | Sky Sports Boxing | Big Mo (Himself) |
Awards & Honors
editAfter his first year in the industry, Mommaerts was named the ‘2019 Ring Announcer on the Rise’[21] by The Scrap News. He received the award again in 2020.[22]
He was named the 'Bareknuckle Ring Announcer of the Year by the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame in 2023.[23]
References
edit- ^ "Let's get ready to rumble! Inside the ropes with boxing's ring announcers". Independent.
- ^ "BIG MO Trademark - Serial Number 97211486 :: Justia Trademarks". trademarks.justia.com.
- ^ "Who is Kody 'Big Mo' Mommaerts sports announcer, bio, age, height and education". The SportsGrail. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
- ^ "Boxing ring announcer 'Big Mo' talks about his 'ridiculous job'". Yahoo Finance. September 14, 2023.
- ^ "BOXXER SIGNS 'BIG MO' TO EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT". BOXXER. October 24, 2022 [24 October 2022].
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "Announcer Kody 'Big Mo' Mommaerts becomes the voice of Sky Sports Boxing". October 2022.
- ^ Hammond, Joseph (November 23, 2023). "The Successor To Michael Buffer & Bruce Buffer? The New Voice Of Boxing On NBC- Kody 'Big Mo' Mommaerts". Sports Illustrated Boxing News, Analysis and More. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Renfrow, John (September 27, 2023). "'Big Mo' excited to host bare-knuckle brawlers in Denver". Colorado Community Media. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Lynch, James (February 17, 2021). "Former D1 Standout Kody "Big Mo" Mommaerts Making Waves Being Youngest MMA Ring Announcer". MyMMANews.com. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "Colorado class of 2014 prep football recruiting". Denver Post. January 7, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ "Monarch's Mommaerts commits to Northern Colorado". Colorado Hometown Weekly. January 13, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ "Kody Mommaerts - 2018 - Football". University of Northern Colorado Athletics. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "36 Big Sky Football Graduates Competing in 2018". bigskyconf.com. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
- ^ "University of Northern Colorado football players secure spot on team – for business ethics". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ "UNC Students Earn First Place in International Business Ethics Case Competition". University of Northern Colorado. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ "UNC teams come out on top at International Business Ethics Case Competition". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ "KODY 'BIG MO' MOMMAERTS ANNOUNCES HE HAS SIGNED A DEAL WITH BOXXER AS THIER[sic] OFFICIAL MC & MORE". Boxing Social. October 13, 2022 [13 October 2022].
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "BYB Welcomes "Big Mo"". December 2021.
- ^ "Meet Your Next Favorite Announcer: Kody "Big Mo" Mommaerts". February 2022.
- ^ "Dave Leduc Cements His Legacy as King of Lethwei!". Overtime Heroics. November 9, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
- ^ Torres, Joel (January 6, 2020). "The Scrap's 2019 Ring Announcer on the Rise: Kody 'Big Mo' Mommaerts". THE SCRAP. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
- ^ Torres, Joel (January 16, 2021). "The Scrap's 2020 Ring Announcer on the Rise: Kody 'Big Mo' Mommaerts". THE SCRAP. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
- ^ Renfrow, John (January 16, 2021). "'Big Mo' excited to host bare-knuckle brawlers in Denver". Colorado Community Media. Retrieved October 3, 2023.