With Reddit's help, Chris Camozzi fighting to support brain-cancer patient at UFN 39

UFC middleweight Chris Camozzi is fighting for much more than a victory when he takes on Andrew Craig on Friday at UFC Fight Night 39.

Ahead of arguably the most important fight of his career, Camozzi has taken on the unique challenge of raising money for Gabriel Santisteven, a 9-year-old boy from Colorado that has been diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer.

Camozzi has a personal relationship with Gabe’s family, so in lieu of fielding support from traditional sponsors for his upcoming fight, he started a crowd-funding initiative in which fans donate to support Gabe’s cause.

“Medical bills are insane in the U.S.” Camozzi told MMAjunkie Radio. “I don’t know about other places, but it’s crazy out here. His mom takes care of him full-time, so she’s not able to work right now. He’s 9 years old and needs somebody with them. Gabe really needs this help. He should be out playing, not in the hospital.”

In an attempt to help Gabe’s cause, Camozzi teamed up with a popular MMA forum on Reddit, one of the Web’s most popular sites. He will sport the forum’s logo on his official walkout gear for his fight with Craig, and in return fans, can donate directly to Gabe’s cause (more information can be found on reddit.com).

“I told Reddit that I would put their logo on my stuff, UFC approved it, and in return they would donate to Gabe,” Camozzi said. “I don’t need the money from them. I’m not rich by any means, but I’m doing OK. I’m comfortable.

“I don’t do these things because I have empty space (on my shorts). It’s a worthwhile cause. So if I can help him out, I will. For quite a few of my fights, I’ve done charities – almost every fight the past five or six fights.”

Camozzi has been a longtime advocate of raising the bar for sponsorships in MMA, frequently speaking out against companies who offered him a cheap buck to represent their brand.

This initiative to raise money for Gabe is merely an extension of that, as Camozzi would much rather wear the Reddit logo and have fans donate money than accept a few hundred dollars to wear a T-shirt for a company he has zero vested interested in.

“The money isn’t going to me, so I’m not trying to scam you guys,” Camozzi said. “I don’t even want to be the middleman, it all goes directly to Gabe. Please go to reddit.com/r/mma. We’ve got the link up there.”

According to Camozzi (19-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC), Gabe is an avid UFC fan and will be tuning in to Friday’s bout with Craig (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) in Abu Dhabi. The event streams on UFC Fight Pass.

The 27-year-old says Gabe isn’t yet aware his name and the Reddit logo will appear on his fight-night attire, but he can’t wait to walk out to the octagon and compete while supporting a good cause.

“They’ve got UFC Fight Pass, and they’ll be at home watching the fight,” Camozzi said. “I don’t think he knows his name’s on my shirt yet, so that will be pretty cool. I haven’t told him. I was just going to let him see.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 39, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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