Proudly wearing his Versace robe, Jorge Masvidal looks like a million bucks these days but it's been a long, arduous road to fame and fortune for the Cuban-American.
With 48 fights to his name after having his first professional bout as an 18-year old, Masvidal has well and truly honed his craft as a mixed martial artists and competed all over the world - even having a street fight in Kimbo Slice's backyard.
But prior to him signing with the UFC and hitting the big-time, there was a period where he was strapped for cash and ended up sleeping in his car or at the gym after not having enough to pay rent.
Speaking to Brett Okamoto from ESPN, the 35-year old said: "15-22... not always but on and off if I couldn't pay the rent I was like, 'well can't pay the rent this month, I'm out of this place, getting evicted. I'll stay in the car for 2 months, gather up money or at the gym'.
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"I used to sleep a lot at the gym as well. Just chasing the dream that's all part of it.
"My first car... was comfortable to sleep in. Two windows didn't go down, the AC was broke so it kinda sucks. It was a Chevrolet Bonneville. Like from the 70s. I don't even know how that thing worked. I got a super good deal paid like $500-$600 for it.
"The back seat, I just go to the gym and just post up there in the back seat, sleep, wake up, be the first guy there a lot of times. People be like 'Oh you're so disciplined.' No, I literally live back here."
But while he was struggling on the come-up, Masvidal always had faith that the bright lights would shine on him soon enough.
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"Fun days. I didn't matter. My mind said, and I'll share it with the world. If you think like this, I think you can make it out of anywhere. I knew I'd get to a better place. That didn't bother me at all.
"Those moments sucked, but it was like I know I'm gonna be out of here. Maybe I didn't get all the tools right now that I needed or I didn't come from a trust fund or something. But I knew I would get myself out of there."
Fast forward to the present day and Masvidal is slated to headline a main UFC card for the second time in his career at UFC 251 on 'Fight Island' in Abu Dhabi.
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After taking the welterweight title fight with Kamaru Usman on six days notice, having resolved a financial dispute and signed a new deal with UFC, the BMF champion is vying to win his first title in the company.
He started from the bottom but 'Gamebred' is well and truly here.
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Topics:ย Jorge Masvidal, UFC News, MMA News, UFC 251, UFC, MMA, Kamaru Usman