Get To Know – Tristan “Boondock” Connelly

Connelly, who currently rides a five-fight winning streak, tasting defeat once in his last 10 bouts, made a statement, as he took the fight to the judges’ scorecards that night in his hometown. An impressive performance earned a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus as well as an additional $50,000 for Pereira missing weight. What a way to begin your UFC career, right?

I was lucky enough to chat with Tristan to talk a bit about his life into the sport, hobbies, and life after fighting.

Interview

How did you get into martial arts and can you remember the first time you stepped into a gym and how you felt?

Connelly – ” I started with Jiu-Jitsu, I remember after one class I was hooked, loved it immediately. After that, I pretty much started training every day.”

What did you do as a job before turning professional and making a career in martial arts?

Connelly – ” I was a bartender and a bouncer.”

Have you got any other hobbies outside Martial Arts, what do you like to do in your time off to take your mind away from fighting?

Connelly – “No not really, I enjoy hanging out with my wife, eating good food (when I’m allowed haha).”

If you never had found MMA and never stepped into the gym for the first time, where do you think you’d be right now?

Connely – “Sad somewhere most likely.”

Did you have any combat sport inspiration/heroes growing up and, if so, who and why?

Connelly – ” No one in particular, I honestly didn’t get into MMA at all until after I started Jiu-Jitsu. So maybe at 20-years-old. I obviously liked lots of fighters and I still am a huge fan of the sport, but there’s never really been like “one guy” or anything.”

What does it mean to you to be a fighter, a lot of fighters would look at this question differently?

Connelly – ” It means I’m doing what I love, I’ve followed my dream and proved that hard work pays off.”

After fighting’s done, do you have any plans after that? Do you want to stay in the fight industry or step away?

Connelly – “100% stay. I already own a gym and coach and I will continue that. I will probably get back into doing more Gi jits and hit up all the masters comps. I’m not sure where else I’ll go, but it will be within the industry for sure.”

In 5 years’ time, where do you see yourself and what’s the end goal? To retire look back and be happy with what you’ve achieved?

Connelly – “Just see how far I get into the ranks, fight my ass off and do my best. I think I have 5-6 years left competing. I just wanna know I did everything I could and see where it falls.”

Be sure to support Connelly’s career. Social media links below.

• Twitter – @MMATristian
• Instagram – mmatristian

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