Jared “Flash” Gordon, the 18-5 seasoned UFC fighter who competes in the lightweight division spoke at the media scrum today regarding his upcoming bout at UFC 278 Usman vs. Edwards 2 in Salt Lake City, Utah, against Leonardo Santos. Gordon, who was candid on many things today, like his last bout resulting in a loss to Grant Dawson via submission (Rear Naked Choke). Gordon spoke about how he was born in Manhattan and how he use to train at the popular Renzo Gracie gym (5 min from MSG). He went on to state that if he wins this fight, he would like to get on the next card at Madison Square Garden because his grandfather had also fought at MSG. Stating, “I think it’s in my destiny to fight there“. Jared revealed some past substance abuse issues in his media day interview, expressing how he, “use to shoot dope in the bathroom down the block from Madison Square Garden“. Further stating, “I need to let everyone know, you can shoot dope and still get to the highest level of athletics”.
Here is a video from Jared’s twitter regarding his past substance abuse issues: pic.twitter.com/JjWHNn4bve
Jared use to be homeless and addicted to heroin in his younger days as a professional fighter. Trying many things to fix his addiction, and mixed martial arts being one of them, he expressed that MMA gives him no fulfillment and that each fight is like a drug, and when it ends you are looking for the next high. “MMA has made my life worse“, Jared said and that, “the only thing that gives me fulfillment is helping people“.
Now Jared is using the UFC and his social media platforms in order to spread his message about addiction/prevention and mental health issues. He is helping others while being truly inspiring amongst those who don’t see a way out of their addiction and those who are taking the steps to get there. Jared also works with people with addictions when he is not in the octagon.
Jared ended with powerful advice to fighters and people who are struggling with addiction to “not use MMA as a reason, find your higher power and get spiritually fit“.
