“They think it’s cool, but, at the same time, it’s not really any different to them,” Porter said. “Dad’s always been training, so that’s always been the same, but now they get to watch me on TV. I think that’s the biggest change for them. And they think it’s cool when I come back with the UFC hats or other gifts from my travels, and I’m like, ‘This is for you.’ That’s a huge piece of excitement for them. And the baby sees me on TV, but now anytime he sees any kind of combat sports on TV, he’s like ‘Dada.’ I’m like, no, that’s not me – those are two women. (Laughs) We’re not even in the same category, come on kid. You’re so smart, how do you mix that up?”
Fight By Fight Preview | UFC Fight Night: Holm vs Vieira
Porter laughs, and yeah, the cliché is that he’s living the dream, but he is, and it wasn’t something that was gifted to him. He came up the hard way, and if you need proof, realize that he fought Jon Jones in his third pro fight, and Gabriel Gonzaga in his eighth. If that’s not paying dues, what is? And the best part is, he’s done it all while staying true to his roots in Connecticut. All he needs now is a sponsorship from Ted’s Restaurant in Meriden.
Ted’s Restaurant?
“I live in Connecticut and I’m a heavyweight,” said Porter. “Of course, I’ve had a steamed cheeseburger. Those are amazing.”
They are. But steamed cheeseburgers aside, and no matter what happens from here on out, Porter has put together a feel-good story that he hopes will inspire anyone who is questioning whether they should chase their dreams or not.
“Obviously, first and foremost, I’m trying to create a better life for my kids and my wife and myself, but I really want to be positive to people,” he said. “I’m not out here to just take, take, take. I want to be able to give back and inspire and be a good role model for kids, or young adults, or even guys my own age that aren’t really sure what they should be doing. If they’re on the fence about whether they should quit their day job and go into their side gig full-time or just having the confidence to really go after something that they believe in, even when everybody’s like, ‘You should probably play it safe, it’s kinda risky.’ They’re just trying to stop you and keep you in that bubble wrap. And I’m like, no, bust out of that, get bumped around, get bruised up, get banged up, scrape your knees – go live life. Go take the chance, because it’s kind of cliché, but it still rings true – the only things that people regret when they’re on their death bed are the things they didn’t do, not the things they did do.”
