Rich “ACE” Franklin

3x MMA World Champion, VP of ONE Championship, Host of ONE Warrior Series and Quite Franklin Podcast

From mild-mannered High School math teacher to UFC Hall of Famer. That’s this week’s Team Never Quit special guest, Rich Franklin. Rich and Marcus kick it around in an entertaining discussion about the transition from teaching high school math to UFC fighting on a world-class level. His childhood days of taking Karate lessons brought about an interest in Thai Boxing and Jiu-Jitsu, which further developed into a full-time MMA fighting career. Rich has also coached in The Ultimate Fighter, launched a clothing brand, a juice café, and is a prime example of one classy dude.
Nice guys can finish first.

In this episode you will hear:

  • I didn’t grow up being an amazing athlete.
  • I’m not super explosive, but I can grind.
  • Mathematics, like being a sniper, is a skill. You have to work at it.
  • If you take the grind away from me, then what am I? This grind, this work ethic I have, is not just the way I work out; it’s the way I approach everything in life.
  • When you start worrying about things outside of your circle of control, it’ll take you away from your goals.
  • When you’re fighting somebody on the street that’s not trained, I feel like Neo in the Matrix. When they throw a punch, it’s so slow to me.
  • Q: What’s your favorite cheat meal?  A: What’s a cheat meal?
  • I don’t deal well with disrespect, inefficiency, or stupidity.
  • I like being challenged.
  • I’ve never used drugs in my life. I’ve never even had a sip of alcohol.
  • Had my college professor not actually cared, I could’ve folded. He saved me.
  • You never know when a small gesture helps somebody.
  • I don’t think I would be in this place in my life without God. He’s really directed my path.

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