At 40, with a career spanning 50 fights, Tim Means knows the clock is ticking. Yet, he’s determined to exit with a bang, not a whimper.
“The Dirty Bird” is gearing up for another showdown in the UFC. This time, it’s his 28th, placing him among the top fighters in history. He’s set to face Uros Medic this Saturday in a lightweight bout that’s got fans buzzing.
Las Vegas is the stage for this epic encounter at the UFC Apex. Despite the miles on his body, Means is as eager as ever. The grind of training camps and the brutal weight cuts haven’t dulled his spirit. “There’s always something hurting,” he admits. But quitting? Not today.
Means, a former King of the Cage champion, still finds joy in the raw competition of MMA. “Getting to beat up a co-worker and then go on about your day,” he quips, is unmatched. He laments a world too sensitive, craving the straightforward honesty of combat.
With retirement on the horizon, Means is laying groundwork for the future. He’s coaching wrestling at Moriarty High School, instilling in kids the value of hard work and resilience. “You’ve got to love the grind,” he tells them, a mantra he lives by.
His next challenge is Medic, a formidable opponent with a knack for finishes. Means respects the threat but relishes the challenge. “He’s going to meet me in the middle,” Means predicts, promising a spectacle.
Reflecting on his journey, Means marvels at how far he’s come from his first $50 fight. Dropping out of school to fight professionally was a gamble that paid off, despite his parents’ worries. From a “young dumb redneck kid” to a seasoned fighter, Means has lived a story worth telling.