Issue 158

September 2017

Alex White, UFC featherweight, discusses how overcoming life’s obstacles makes MMA success sweeter.

Beating the bullies

When I was about eight, three guys pulled up in a car and tried to pick a fight with my older brother. He tried to walk away, but one jumped him and started punching him. Me and my other brother were being held back and all we could do was watch.

From that moment on, I just wanted to get stronger and help anyone who needed it. I could make a difference in their life. That’s why I went into MMA. I didn’t want to see that happen to anyone else.

Finding my voice

Back when I was younger, a speech impediment affected me, too. I became a shy boy who didn’t have a huge group of friends, which led to bullying. As I became more involved in MMA, I developed more skills and discipline.

I slowly came to terms with the fact I talk differently to everyone else – and I’m OK with that. Everything has made me into the person I am today, and I’m proud of who I am.

Homeless, not hopeless

I overcame being homeless when some neighbors of mine lent me a small camper to live in. The space was very confined even though it was only me there.

It wasn’t the greatest but I kept an open mind and kept thinking about the future. I was still doing what I enjoyed, so I pushed myself harder.

Family first

My general mindset has been optimistic.

I had to look at the bright side and not focus on the negativity around me. I wanted to strive towards being a better person and hope better opportunities came for me in the future.

I want to make sure I’m giving my family a better life than I had growing up. Juggling a family, a full-time job and MMA can be tough. I would get up at 5.30am to train at the gym. I’d finish around 7.30am, head to work until 5pm, then head right back to the gym until 8pm. I would see my wife and my daughter for an hour and then go to bed. I would get up and do that over and over again throughout the week. I have a hectic schedule, but knowing my family and friends support me makes it worth it.

Pinch me

So far, my ‘pinch-me’ moment has been when I went outside the USA for the first time for my first pro fight in Livorno, Italy. The Italian people treated us like stars. I couldn’t believe how well we were received without anyone even knowing us.

Whenever someone first begins training and fighting, they automatically dream of the UFC. When I started, I just wanted to better myself and become a strong person. As my career began to take off and I started to see myself get closer to bigger and tougher opponents, it made me want to dig deeper and see where I could really go with this.

Before I knew it, the Octagon was the next step. Setting foot in there lets me know that I am fighting some of the best out there. I get to see myself evolve into the fighter I want to be. That’s what I’ve wanted from the very beginning.