Erik Jones took his NASCAR training to a new level by teaming up with UFC legend Forrest Griffin at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. This experience offered Jones and fellow driver John Hunter Nemechek a unique opportunity to explore different athletic approaches ahead of their next race.
NASCAR Drivers Step Into the UFC Training World
Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek usually prepare for the season at the Toyota Performance Center in Mooresville, North Carolina. However, their visit to Las Vegas included a stop at the UFC Performance Institute, where they trained with Forrest Griffin, renowned as a former UFC Light Heavyweight champion and member of the UFC Hall of Fame. Griffin now works as the vice president of athlete development at the facility.
Nemechek spoke enthusiastically about sparring with Griffin, emphasizing the value of learning from an athlete with a fighting background.
“Being able to somewhat spar against him was a really good time,”
Nemechek said.
“I actually enjoyed it and, I mean, he’s a legend. Being able to just be in his presence and chat and understand things that they go through, their mindset and how they prepare for fights, their recovery aspect. There was a lot there that we were able to see and dive into and ask questions about … a little bit of a crossover from our world to theirs. It was super unique, super interesting and had a lot of fun.”
– John Hunter Nemechek, NASCAR driver
Contrasting Experiences: Jones and Nemechek Reflect on Sparring
While John Hunter Nemechek embraced the challenge of training with Griffin, Jones found the sparring aspect more intimidating.
“I don’t know if I enjoyed the sparring very much,”
Jones stated.
“I was pretty scared to try to hit him in the face like he told me. His eyes get kind of crazy when you start going. I was like … I don’t really want to get hit in the face here, but it was cool.”
– Erik Jones, NASCAR driver
The physical and mental intensity of training with a mixed martial artist legend like Griffin highlighted differences between the worlds of racing and combat sports. Both Jones and Nemechek gained new insights, especially regarding mental preparation and recovery—key aspects of their own races in NASCAR. The crossover experience drew attention in the motorsports community, which is always interested in innovative training methods that could provide a competitive edge.
Innovative Training Methods Gain Attention in NASCAR
This collaboration between NASCAR athletes and a former UFC champion at the UFC Performance Institute signals a growing trend of cross-training among elite sports professionals. While some racers, like Jones, found the shift to mixed martial arts challenging, others, such as Nemechek, relished the chance to learn from different athletic philosophies. By exposing themselves to the rigorous standards of UFC athletes, they hope to apply new lessons in resilience and strategy to their own racing routines—further strengthening Erik Jones NASCAR training efforts.
As the racing season continues, the benefits and impact of such interdisciplinary training will likely be closely watched by teams, fans, and organizations such as the National Motorsports Press Association and the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Such exchanges may influence the next generation of preparations for drivers competing on tracks from Las Vegas to Mooresville, all in the pursuit of better results and a tougher mental edge on race day.
