FROM ZERO TO UFC: REFLECTIONS OF MY JOURNEY

James Vick
Jun 02, 2025By James Vick

The Real Truth About Training Time in Martial Arts: Lessons from a Late Starter

Hey, guys! Today, I’m sharing something that took me a long time to be truly proud of as a martial artist. If you’ve been in the fight game, or even just followed it a bit, you already know that it’s full of crazy highs and lows. And I mean crazy. Let me be real—fighting can feel like a drug. There's nothing quite like the rush of a win, and nothing quite as rough as the sting of a loss.

But after looking back at my career, stepping away from the cage, and actually thinking about the why, I realized there’s one thing I’m super proud of: I only ever lost to fighters who had more training time than me. That adds up to a lot more than just a stat in the record books.

Let’s dig deep on what that really means.

Life at the Highest Highs—and the Lowest Lows

Let’s kick things off with the high points. Imagine standing in the middle of Madison Square Garden, soaking up the roar of the crowd as your hand gets raised. Or taking a win at the American Airlines Center where the Dallas Mavericks play, right here in my home town. Those moments are unforgettable. Everything you dream about as a fighter.

But then, I’ve also been knocked out cold on national TV. There’s nothing quite like it. The lows cut deep. It’s the flip side of that rush—absolutely crushing.

“Fighting is like a drug. It’s the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.”

Let’s be real: Most people only see the highlight reels, but the lows are just as much a part of the journey.

My Journey: Starting Martial Arts as an Adult

Here’s the thing. When people see fighters on TV or signing with the UFC, they assume everyone started as a kid. But I stepped into the gym for the first time at 20 years old. Twenty. Not ten. Not eight. And I didn’t even start grappling until I was 22.

When you start late, you’re always looking up at a mountain of experience in front of you. People who’ve been at it since childhood have thousands more hours of muscle memory, live reps, and pure mat time.

My Timeline

  • 20: Started boxing
  • 22: Started no-gi jiu-jitsu and grappling
  • Multiple surgeries slowed me down
  • About 5 years from my first lesson to signing with the UFC

And that five years? That’s not a clean run either. Throw in surgeries and you lose months at a time.

When I look back at my losses, almost every single one was against someone who started younger, often when they were little kids. They didn’t just have a few more fights—they had years more training. I faced world-class guys like Justin Gaethje and Paul Felder. Justin was a D1 wrestler. Paul had been doing martial arts since he was eight.

Why Training Time Is Everything

Let’s clear something up right now: There is a massive difference between starting martial arts as a kid and starting as an adult.

“I don’t think the average person—or anyone just about to start martial arts—really understands how big of a difference it makes when someone has been training since they were a kid.”

Kids absorb technique differently. Their bodies just learn. They drill moves without even thinking about it. By the time they’re 20, those moves are automatic. If you come in as an adult, you’ve got to make up for all that lost time.

A Quick List: Starting Young vs. Starting Late

  • Muscle Memory: Kids build it without effort. Adults have to repeat moves way more.
  • Time on the Mat: Ten years as a kid means thousands of classes, live rolls, and sparring rounds.
  • Learning Curve: It’s steep for adults—every rep, every day, counts for double.

That’s why I’m proud to say: I never lost to anyone who had less training time than me. It’s a small thing, but a huge deal personally.

The No-Life Grind: How I Closed the Gap

So, how did I even become a top 10 UFC fighter when I started so late?

Here’s the honest answer: I had no life. No parties. Almost no drinking (three or four times a year, max, even in my early 20s). No sleeping in. Just work, train, recover—repeat.

How My Days Looked in My 20s:

That’s it. While my friends were going out having a good time, I was out here chasing an impossible goal. Was it fun? Not really. But it’s what got me there.

A Tall Advantage

I’m not gonna kid myself—being tall helped a lot, especially starting late. If I hadn’t had the reach and size I did, it would have been a much tougher climb.

My Toughest Losses: Training Time Always Tells

Even looking back at my last major fight—in karate combat—my opponent was younger, true, but he’d been at it even longer than me, since he was a kid. He had 30 pro fights and started capoeira and jiu-jitsu super early. He was 33, but with easily 27+ years of training. That’s like going up against a black belt in experience.

When you lose to someone with that much more time on the mat, it puts things in perspective.

Training Young vs. Starting Late: What You Need to Know

If you walk into any gym at 10 years old and say you want to be a fighter, you’re gonna get a totally different path than if you walk in at 20 and say the same thing. Kids might change their minds along the way—most do—but if you actually stick to it, you’re miles ahead of the late-starters.

Two Different Paths

10-Year-Old:

  • Gradual path
  • Room to grow, make mistakes, collect thousands of reps

20-Year-Old:

  • Fast-track, high-pressure
  • No time for anything else if you’re serious


“The path for a 10-year-old is COMPLETELY different than it is for a 20 or 22-year-old.”

And nowadays? The gap’s even wider. Tons of wrestlers and martial artists are hitting the mats since the time they can walk, sometimes just because it’s a family thing, or their big brother was into it. Whether or not they wanted to be pro fighters, they racked up years of work before ever thinking about the UFC.

The Rep Game: Why Adults Have To Work Harder

If you’re an adult, you’ve gotta cram 10 years’ worth of drilling into just a handful—if you want to keep up. Kids can take their time; adults can’t.

Let’s Break It Down

Younger fighters:

  • Fewer reps per class, but tons of years to build it up

Older starters:

  • Need to do way more reps in a short period
  • No days off if you want a shot

If you’re 20 and your opponent started at 10, you’re battling a whole decade of hidden advantage.

My Solution: Drill Until You Can’t Get It Wrong

Once I realized this, I got obsessive about drilling—especially grappling and wrestling. That's what led to three of my UFC wins by submission and why I never got beat on the ground in a fight. I drilled religiously: non-stop reps, every single session.

My Drilling Routine

  • Daily drilling (even after work)
  • Emphasized grappling/wrestling
  • Focused on key escapes and wall get-up techniques

That’s how I have three submission wins in the UFC. That’s how I’ve never been beat on the ground.

Game Planning: Making Up for Lost Time As a Late Starter

If you’re starting at 20 and fighting guys who started at 10, realize you need a different strategy. You’re always playing catch-up, and you can never let yourself forget that.

A Specific Game Plan for Late Starters

  1. Maximize Rep Count: Every drilling session should count for triple.
  2. Work on Escapes: Get hard to hold down, hard to submit.
  3. Study Your Opponents: Use your adult brain—learn smarter, not just harder.
  4. Embrace Physical Advantages: Use your reach, height, or athleticism.
  5. Stay Disciplined: No shortcuts, no “I’ll take today off.”

Is It Worth It? Lessons Learned From the Grind

Let’s be honest—starting late is a constant uphill battle. You’re working against years of lost time, and there’s no way to fake your way around it. But if you outwork everyone and use every available advantage—physical, mental, and strategic—you can make it work.

“If you’re starting at 20 years old and everyone else started at 10 or 5? It’s going to be an uphill battle. But it’s beatable.”

Takeaways: My Best Advice for Late-Starters in Martial Arts

If you’re thinking about starting MMA or fighting in your 20s—or later—just know what you’re up against, but don’t let it scare you off. Here’s what I really want you to remember:

  • Starting late means doubling or tripling the effort. Don’t waste time wishing you started earlier; go all-in with the time you’ve got.
  • Drilling is your best friend. There’s no substitute for mat hours.
  • Life balance will suffer. It has to, if you really want to catch up.
  • Use your unique strengths. If you have a physical advantage, lean into it.
  • Be proud if you only lose to guys (or girls) with more time. That’s a mark of real accomplishment.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Be Afraid to Be Different

I used to look at my losses and beat myself up, but now I see that I never lost to anyone who had less training time. That’s huge for me. If you’re starting late and still making progress? That’s something to be proud of—no matter what the record says.

At the end of the day, fighting is a wild ride. Highs you’ll never forget, lows that will sting forever. But if you keep grinding, keep drilling, and stay hungry? That’s what really separates the lifers from the rest.

Good luck out there. And remember: It’s always worth fighting for your goals, no matter when you start.


“You’re never too old to start. Just remember: the earlier you start, the bigger the jump you have to make up. But you never know what you can do until you try.”


Thanks for reading, guys. If you’ve got questions about my training or want me to write about specific drills, let me know in the comments or hit me up on my socials. Keep working, keep grinding!

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