While he made his pro debut in 2010, Griffin started fighting regularly in 2012 and has been making steady trips to the cage ever since. He was a staple on the California regional circuit, building a reputation as a dangerous emerging talent while competing under the West Coast FC and Tachi Palace Fights banners, where he beat familiar names like Waachim Spiritwolf, Ricky Legere Jr. and former UFC competitor David Mitchell.
He landed in the UFC in 2016, debuting with a loss to Colby Covington at UFC 202 and going just 3-6 over his first nine appearances; never winning consecutive contests, but never dropping more than two straight, either. The high point was a unanimous decision win over Mike Perry, and the strength of schedule he fought made him an easy veteran hand to keep around.
But he started working with a mental coach following a loss to Alex Oliveira, and since then, things have really started to click. Despite being at an age when many of his contemporaries are slowing down and starting to inch towards the exit, Griffin’s game has been evolving, improving, and his performances have been markedly better.
“I know guys are getting older and retiring, but that’s nowhere near my radar,” he said with a laugh, offering the comment on “The R Word” without any prompting. „It’s spreading like a wild fire where one guy says it and then there are a bunch of retirements that last six months or a year.
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“But these guys decline as they get older. These guys that are staying around when they’re declining, and then they stay around too long, looking bad for numerous fights — but I can tell I’m getting better. Stuff is getting easier to do. I’m hitting harder, faster. It’s all about experience and you can’t buy that.
“Yeah, I’m 37, but I’m like a young mind, my soul is young.”
And all that experience he’s garnered is now being combined with an ever-improving understanding of how to do things, better training, a clearer mind, and it’s resulted in the best run of success of Griffin’s career.
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“As I’m becoming a vet, I’m learning to use my body more, be more efficient,” continued Griffin, who is also kept spry by his two-year-old son, Tyrus, who “only runs” according to his proud father. “You don’t even really know until you get there as far as these boosts.
“I know I’m learning every day, because that’s what I do; I’m a student, I’m humble, and I’m learning. For me to hit harder, faster, kick harder and faster than I’ve ever kicked — I’ve known how to kick my whole life, but now it’s the right angles, and speed, and the little foot turn at the end.
