Imagine two NASCAR drivers stepping into the world of mixed martial arts. Sounds crazy, right? But that's exactly what happened when Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek traded their steering wheels for a taste of the Octagon, albeit a very controlled and fun one!
These two racers, who routinely hone their skills at the Toyota Performance Center in Mooresville, North Carolina, recently had the unique opportunity to train with none other than Forrest Griffin, a retired mixed martial arts legend. Griffin isn't just any fighter; he's a former UFC Light Heavyweight champion and a proud member of the UFC Hall of Fame. Today, he serves as the vice president of athlete development at the UFC Performance Institute.
The experience took place in Las Vegas, at the Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance Institute. Nemechek was particularly enthusiastic about the experience. "Being able to somewhat spar against him was a really good time," Nemechek exclaimed. "I actually enjoyed it and, I mean, he’s a legend. Being able to just be in his presence and chat and understand things that they go through, their mindset and how they prepare for fights, their recovery aspect. There was a lot there that we were able to see and dive into and ask questions about…a little bit of a crossover from our world to theirs. It was super unique, super interesting and had a lot of fun." He highlighted the value of learning about the mental fortitude and recovery strategies employed by professional fighters, suggesting potential applications to the high-pressure world of NASCAR.
But here's where it gets controversial... While Nemechek embraced the sparring session, Jones had a slightly different perspective. "I don’t know if I enjoyed the sparring very much," Jones admitted. "I was pretty scared to try to hit him in the face like he told me. His eyes get kind of crazy when you start going. I was like… I don’t really want to get hit in the face here, but it was cool." It seems that facing a legend in a potential striking situation was enough to make even a seasoned race car driver a little nervous! This raises the question: is there a limit to how much crossover training drivers are willing to do?
This unique collaboration highlights the growing recognition of the importance of diverse training methods for athletes across different disciplines. While the physical demands of NASCAR and MMA differ significantly, there are undeniable overlaps in areas such as mental toughness, strategic thinking, and physical conditioning. The ability to manage pressure, make split-second decisions under duress, and maintain peak physical fitness are crucial for success in both sports.
And this is the part most people miss... The drivers weren't just punching bags. The real value lay in understanding the mindset, preparation, and recovery techniques of elite fighters. This kind of cross-disciplinary learning can offer valuable insights that can be applied to improve performance on the racetrack. For example, the intense focus and mental discipline required in MMA could help drivers maintain composure during high-stakes races. Similarly, the recovery protocols used by UFC fighters could help drivers bounce back faster after grueling race weekends.
Deb Williams, a North Carolina native and an award-winning motorsports journalist with four decades of experience covering auto racing, reported on this event. Her impressive resume includes contributions to United Press International, espnW.com, USA Today, and The Charlotte Observer. Williams' accolades include the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence, two-time National Motorsports Press Association writer of the year, and two-time recipient of the Russ Catlin award. She has also won an award in the North Carolina Press Association’s sports feature category. She has served as managing editor of GT Motorsports magazine and spent 18 years with Winston Cup Scene and NASCAR Winston Cup Scene, serving as editor for 10 years. In 2024 she was inducted into the NMPA Hall of Fame. Her deep understanding of the sport and insightful reporting provide a valuable perspective on this unique collaboration between NASCAR and UFC.
What do you think? Are there other sports that NASCAR drivers could learn from? Could incorporating elements of MMA training give them an edge on the track? Or is this just a fun publicity stunt? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
