SmartStop Self Storage, the retail brand for Strategic Storage Trust Inc., is sponsoring Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Shawn The Great Bunch. The three-year sponsorship will provide the fighter with financial support while he completes his training.

Bunch is currently competing in Bellators Bantamweight Division. In 2012 at Bellator 82, he made his professional and promotional debut against Chad Coon, which he won via unanimous decision. At Bellator 97, he defeated Russell Wilson via split decision. In 2012, he placed third in the World Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament. Bunch had his first defeat via technical knockout against Steve Garcia in October 2013.

Our sponsorship program targets up-and-coming, talented and driven athletes with the goal of helping them reach their fullest potential, said H. Michael Schwartz, chairman and CEO of Strategic Storage Trust, a self-storage real estate investment trust. Shawn is not a typical MMA fighter, as he comes from a very high level of wrestling, where he achieved greatness in the NCAA circuit and has represented the United States in the International Freestyle Wrestling Tournaments.

Bunch trains at The American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, Calif. AKA provides instruction in boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts and wrestling.

SmartStops first foray into MMA sponsorship was in 2012 when the company sponsored Joe The Hybrid Duarte for more than two years. Last year, the self-storage company sponsored the SmartStop-Mountain Khakis Professional Cycling Team.

Since the launch of Strategic Storage Trust in 2008, the companys portfolio of wholly-owned properties has expanded to include 122 properties in 17 states and Canada. The portfolio includes approximately 77,000 self-storage units and 10.2 million rentable square feet of storage space.