Ep.24 - Rob McCullough of UFC GYM

With a pro fight career of 19 wins including 11 KO/TKO victories, Rob McCullough, senior MMA director at UFC GYM, is no stranger to overcoming a challenge. Hear how he made a career of punching people in the face to win a championship before going for gold in business, too.

Watch the full episode on YouTube – https://youtu.be/2RkwvZdGeAM

The dedication of making weight and facing a different competitive challenge with every fight is something Rob was born for. Youngest of seven children, with his dad in the military, Rob was destined to a life in service to follow in his father’s footsteps. However, his parents’ divorce and a move to Alaska changed his outcome, resulting in Rob struggling to keep up with classes and not graduating high school.

In his early teens, Rob travelled back to Huntingdon Beach and met UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz – a relationship that would eventually lead to a further UFC link through President Dana White. It didn’t take long for Rob to discover gym life and try kickboxing at LA Boxing, before progressing to Brazilian jiu jitsu. The passion for the fight game had been born and only bigger things were to come.

Working with his BJJ instructor, Rob progressed a career teaching combat classes from basic burpees, jumping jacks and bag work to the robust programming hub he implements in UFC GYMs today.

From sparring unknowingly with a kickboxing champion, Rob’s second ever pro am fight was at the Four Queens on Freemont Street in Las Vegas. His first found stoppage of his opponent preceded a night of celebration and a desire to fight as a career.

Early on, Rob received advice from Bill Goldberg of WWE and WCW wrestling fame. He said:

“Just remember… Potential. It means you haven’t done shit yet.” What followed was Rob’s championship win in World Extreme Cagefighting, before returning to his roots.

After getting a job at LA Boxing – Rob’s first fight gym – as director of instructor training, the chain was acquired by Mark Mastrov and UFC GYMs.

Today, UFC GYM is the result of a partnership between the Ultimate Fighting Championship and New Evolution Ventures, in an expanding initiative urging people to TRAIN DIFFERENT.

Episode Highlights: 

• Positive thoughts and clear mind through perfect preparation.
• Laughed at early in his career when he filled out his boxing license, hear how Rob silences the doubters through dedication and hard work.
• How mindset affects people in business, whether commercial or the fight game. How does family affect your killer-instinct and how you can use personal developments to evolve your motivation and inspiration.
• Hear why it’s important to get a different perspective through research and collaboration with peers, even if you’re not a studious person at heart.

 

Join Matthew Januszek in conversation with Rob McCullough of UFC GYM…

 

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