Hello,
This is my first post on the forum. I'm going to summarize: I worked my ass off throughout my teens and twenties, and now at the age of 29 I have several businesses generating passive income that allow me to not work. I did a year of traveling to figure out where I want to go next in life, and kept coming back to the dream I had when I was younger of fighting in MMA. I have dabbled in combat sports my entire life...I wrestled until college, did a little Muay Thai, and a little BJJ but work always ended up getting in the way. I am currently roughly 170lbs at 8% bodyfat and 5'8" (six pack and stuff) so I would consider myself in shape and strong.
I sold everything I own and moved into a paid off small RV to avoid LA housing costs and keep my options open for training. I drove said RV to LA, where it is legal to sleep in your "car" on the street, because it seemed to me MMA training Mecca.
I signed up at Cobrinha's for BJJ because I loved the vibe of the place and the quality of students and instruction seemed unmatched. We do mostly gi work, but also no gi 3 days a week, and I feel like I am getting a good base. I am a fresh white belt. I try to attend class twice a day, seven days a week. I have been doing it for about 45 days and have made some progress.
For MMA of course I will need to add striking, so I thought I would spend my mornings with Rafael Cordeiro at King's MMA, which is an hour away. Since my car is my home, this commute is nothing.
So my plan is: BJJ from 6pm-9pm weekdays and also 2 hours per day sat/sun, Muay Thai for two hours MonWedFri, and lifting 2-3x a week. I am also religious with my diet. I keep protein high, carbs low, adhere to paleo guidelines, and don't drink alcohol or do cheat meals.
If I continue this monk-like lifestyle (I am happy with it) then do I have a realistic shot of doing this professionally within 1-2 years? I don't have my sights set on the UFC championship (but you never know) and I would be ecstatic to fight under cards for Strikeforce or similar. I am not looking to become rich, as I already have my finances pretty squared away. I am just doing this for love of the sport.
Does anyone have any advice? I am very new to all of this.
Also I was curious what sorts of jobs might support a fighter's hectic training lifestyle? I have a passive income but working 1-3 days a week in my off time would provide additional security as long as it did not affect training. A buddy has offered me a bar security job for 300 a night which I will definitely do, but just curious if there are other options out there. I have an MBA and experience in finance, tech, and oil, but these jobs require you to commit your life to the point you can barely even sleep, so unless I'm unaware of something, I can't go back to those.
300 bucks a night to do security? 
I dont think there's anyone on the strikeforce rosta you can't beat if you keep training the way you have been
Train hard and crack on man. Be realistic with yourself and you can't go wrong. 
Maybe he said 200. It's a really nice bar. It would just be for some extra cushion. Let's not get caught up in security $ details please, it's really beside the point.
The only reason I am considering this is because MMA is a relatively new sport so the fact that I wasn't groomed from birth is not a huge disadvantage. Also it seems not to pay well, so being financially independent is nice because I think the pay means many otherwise qualified guys can't dedicate their lives to this. I know most of these guys were probably on Mexican supplements, but it seems like dudes can fight into their forties as long as they observe the mythical "9 year window." As in, it seems to matter less at what age one starts.
I don't have any pics of me in action unfortunately. I have never had an amateur fight. I have gotten punched and kicked everywhere possible though and I am relaxed and comfortable in fighting situations.
Stopped reading at "six pack and stuff."
Hope you stay healthy. That's my biggest problem.
<blockquote>Mustard Tiger - <span id='userPost54066630' class='User-224709'>Stopped reading at "six pack and stuff." <img src="/images/phone/apple.png" alt="Phone Post 3.0" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/></span></blockquote><br /> I was indicating I am not a fatty who is going to require time to get into fighting shape.
Also your handle is awesome. Is that you Philadelphia Collins?
Oh and I get the troll vibe from this story for some strange reason
So you are going to that Cobrinha BJJ out in LA?
robbie380 - Oh and I get the troll vibe from this story for some strange reason
I know. Everyone always says this because my story is very unusual. Most people are not wiling to live in a motor vehicle on the street to pursue a new life. Just because I am not Joe Suburb doesn't mean it's not real. The authenticity of the story is beside the point though...I'm just asking about the path to becoming a pro and was providing some background info
robbie380 - So you are going to that Cobrinha BJJ out in LA?
Yes I love it, best group of people I could ask for
Thedude686 -robbie380 - So you are going to that Cobrinha BJJ out in LA?
Yes I love it, best group of people I could ask for
Well I guess you should look at their schedule before making your own schedule.
http://www.cobrinhabjj.com/schedule/
It doesn't look like doing BJJ from 6pm to 9pm is reality for a beginner. It doesn't look like they have class on Sunday either.
Plus you can't train 7 days a week. It's too hard on your body and you will get hurt. Start taking HGH and steroids if you plan on doing 7 days a week.
A mere flesh wound ;-)
Anyone can turn pro. This sport isnt about being a professional athlete
Its about selling tickets. No work for those that cant sell tickets unless they are being fed to a wolve that does sell tickets.
Living in a van down by the river doesn't bode well for those selling tickets.
Well if you are legit then good luck and I wish the best health to you. I don't know how these guys train so hard without getting hurt.
And make sure you tap often. I had a close call the other day when I was at gi class. My foot was going one way and my big toe was going the other way. I said tap real quick when I realized it wasn't going to end well. Luckily I was rolling with a guy isn't a spaz and he is a good dude and I didn't end up with a dislocated/mangled big toe.
Have a dozen fights, and I'd say this---
When I read 29 years old without a pro record, I'd have stopped you right there. In California, pro cards are rare. You'd end up doing CAMO/TUFF NUFF Vegas for at least a year before anyone would even look at you. Probably two years before you're ready for a fight (even as an ammy- It's 2015 and the ammy's of today would kick the shit out of the low level pros of five years ago)- So now, you're 32, and looking to debut.
If you're lucky, you fight 3x a year in California. IF you are lucky. More likely two. So you're 34-35 before your record is at a point where any decent promotion would look at you. And where youre going to make over $500 for a fight.
So, in short- You're too old, and the competition is too damn young/strong/hungry/good.
Even though this is a likely troll, I get one of these that walk in per week. Late 20's/early 30's with a solid wrestling background who want to make the jump. People don't realize how much these guys really do give up (especially in 2015).
When I started out (03/04), there was no ammy circuit. I paid money to enter my first two fights and basically fought overmatched drunks. Fought some amazing people, and a few "money" fights (5k or up) before I was done, but that was at the tail end.
That Robbie/Rory fight made me sick to my stomach. Seriously sick. I'm glad that I recorded it with my Comcast box, because it's something to watch whenever I start handling prospects and think "oh, I could do this again."
Nope
The first time "living in an RV" and financially "squared away" have ever been used together in the same post.
No idea why read OP as Clay Guid telling a kid a bedtime story.
downperiscope -
Have a dozen fights, and I'd say this---
When I read 29 years old without a pro record, I'd have stopped you right there. In California, pro cards are rare. You'd end up doing CAMO/TUFF NUFF Vegas for at least a year before anyone would even look at you. Probably two years before you're ready for a fight (even as an ammy- It's 2015 and the ammy's of today would kick the shit out of the low level pros of five years ago)- So now, you're 32, and looking to debut.
If you're lucky, you fight 3x a year in California. IF you are lucky. More likely two. So you're 34-35 before your record is at a point where any decent promotion would look at you. And where youre going to make over $500 for a fight.
So, in short- You're too old, and the competition is too damn young/strong/hungry/good.
Even though this is a likely troll, I get one of these that walk in per week. Late 20's/early 30's with a solid wrestling background who want to make the jump. People don't realize how much these guys really do give up (especially in 2015).
When I started out (03/04), there was no ammy circuit. I paid money to enter my first two fights and basically fought overmatched drunks. Fought some amazing people, and a few "money" fights (5k or up) before I was done, but that was at the tail end.
That Robbie/Rory fight made me sick to my stomach. Seriously sick. I'm glad that I recorded it with my Comcast box, because it's something to watch whenever I start handling prospects and think "oh, I could do this again."
Nope
I appreciate your tough love. I would rather have ugly truth than pretty lies. I would still like to find a way to make it, but your post really uncovers a lot of what I was wondering about.
The way you make it sound, it may be better to do this as a hobby, but a "serious" hobby, as in still dedicating 4+ hours a day to it (but perhaps working a normal job also). I have considered this, but I think this approach is better for pure BJJ. I could probably hold down a normal job and make a name for myself in the BJJ circuit. Initially it was a turn off that there is no money whatsoever involved, but the way you make it sound, there is no money to be made in MMA either. I said I'm not trying to get rich, but I also don't want to go broke on tournament entry fees, equipment, good food, injuries etc.
I really feel I have the drive to go pro if the benefit is there, but you are saying it would take 5 years just to fight drunks in some bush league promotion? And be out of pocket for it? And risk my health?
As far as health risks, you guys make it sound pretty serious. I'm not scared of cuts, bruises, sprains, minor breaks etc. I've already experienced a few mine injuries in the two months ish I've been training BJJ, and athletic tape goes a long way. But I'm getting the vibe that you guys are talking about long term life impacting damage? Can you elaborate? I know guys like Forrest griffin are basically crippled, but the guy is a lunatic with no self preservation instinct. I tap when I realize I messed up and there is a very low probability. I don't let guys break my arm to prove how much of a man I am.
I am happy living in an rv and am a minimalist. I've had flashy possessions. Big house, fast cars. And I was never more miserable. I could throw away $1500 on rent here in LA, but I prefer to save 80+% of my income to reinvest in my businesses. There is nothing wrong with living voluntarily in a clean rv.