Carroll’s Corner MMA: The Manga Life and Master Plan of Cody “True Achilles” Stone

In the world of combat sports, every fighter has a story. But very few fighters are living out a literal, real-life anime plot.

On the latest episode of Carroll’s Corner MMA Podcast, host Kyle Carroll sat down with lightweight competitor Cody Stone ahead of his massive title fight at Jackhammer Promotions: Fist of Fury 9. Taking place on Sunday, June 28th, at the famously rowdy Mulcahy's venue in Wantagh, Long Island, Stone is set to battle Johnny Pierro for the vacant Jackhammer Promotions Lightweight MMA Championship.

For Stone, this isn't just another regional scrap—it is the next chapter in a self-authored warrior's journey.

If you missed the live stream, we’ve got you covered with the biggest insights, the wildest background stories, and the master plan of upstate New York’s own "True Achilles."

The Legend of "True Achilles"

Right out of the gate, Kyle asked Cody about his striking Instagram handle, @true_achilles. The inspiration behind it is entirely unique: Cody has cast himself as the legendary Greek warrior in his very own manga comic.

"There's a lot of similarities between the way I look and the original paintings of Achilles from the museum," Cody explained. "In my manga, he comes back to life as a human and has to win a belt as a boxer, an MMA fighter, and a kickboxer so he can return to Olympus."

Because Cody started competing with significantly less formal training than his peers, fans are literally watching his "manga character" level up in real time.

Overcoming Reality’s Heaviest Blows

While the anime aesthetic is fun, the adversity Cody has overcome in real life is dead serious. Behind the highlight reels and hand-raised photos on social media lies a relentless grind against incredibly tough personal circumstances.

During the interview, Cody opened up about his journey, revealing a series of challenges that would have forced most people to quit:

• The Street Life: Cody spent time surviving on the streets after losing everything during the COVID-19 pandemic before pulling himself up and securing an apartment.

• Bad Luck on Wheels: He has survived three separate car incidents—two severe, not-at-fault accidents that totaled his vehicles, and another car that literally blew up.

• Battling a Chronic Illness: Cody manages Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome, a rare disorder that causes random, debilitating 24-hour vomiting episodes requiring hospitalization.

It was actually his health struggles that led him to combat sports. At 30 years old (though he looks 20), Cody revealed that watching Cobra Kai inspired him to pick up martial arts to get healthy. He transitioned from a past as a raw street fighter into a disciplined, multi-disciplined athlete.

"Adversity is just going to make me into a better person," Cody said. "My pain and suffering is going to make me stronger in the long run."

Fight Camp Chaos & The Tactical Blueprint

Preparing for a major five-round title fight is hard enough, but Cody is currently doing it while completely in between gyms. With his former home gym, Gojuru, having closed its doors, Cody is currently splitting time between Glove City Sluggers and Go for It Fitness under coach Jared Johnson. He also plans to head down to the newly opened Hernagle Combat Club to sharpen his ground game under a world-class Jiu-Jitsu champion.

The extra grappling work will be vital. Cody’s opponent on June 28th, Johnny Pierro, is a known grappler who will undoubtedly try to take the fight to the canvas. Cody, whose base style relies heavily on Wing Chun Kung Fu and high-volume boxing, is entirely transparent about his game plan.

Fighter Profile: Cody "Achilles" Stone

Attribute	Detail
Weight Class	Lightweight (155 lbs)
Base Style	Wing Chun Kung Fu / Boxing
Notable Accolades	2023 Boxing Champion, 19-second MMA KO
The Blueprint	Fast volume, high-level accuracy, and overwhelming pressure

 

"If I’m on the ground, it’s because I got taken down. That means I did something wrong," Cody laughed. "But I’m real comfortable wrestling off my back. My advantage is on the feet. The faster I can put him down, the less time he has to try anything else."

Crossover Ambitions: The Anti-Jake Paul

Should Cody capture the lightweight strap at Fist of Fury 9, he already has his sights set on combat sports history. As a decorated boxer, an undefeated kickboxer, and an MMA title contender, Cody wants to pioneer a true, active multi-sport crossover career—but with a twist.

"I really like what Jake Paul did with the crossover fights, but I didn't like how he picked old, retired guys and made up rules to make it easier to win," Stone pointed out. "I fight all active fighters under championship rules. I want to go into their sport, beat them, and see if they'll rematch me in the other two. You can't be the GOAT if you can't beat me at all three. Otherwise, you're just a one-trick pony."

Official Prediction

When asked how the main event ends on Sunday night, Cody didn't blink:

A definitive knockout. Whether it comes from a dynamic exchange on the feet or a devastating ground-and-pound sequence following a scramble, "True Achilles" expects to leave Long Island with gold wrapped around his waist.

How to Watch Jackhammer Promotions: Fist of Fury 9

• Date: Sunday, June 28th

• Location: Mulcahy's — Wantagh, Long Island (Right across from the LIRR Wantagh Station!)

• PPV Stream & Tickets: Head over to JackhammerFights.com

• Follow Cody's Journey: Connect with him on Facebook at Cody Stone or his fighter page, Cody "Achilles" Stone, for ticket links and training updates.

Want more local combat sports coverage, fighter breakdowns, and live event analysis? Don’t forget to subscribe to Carroll’s Corner MMA Podcast on your favorite streaming platform!