Ever wonder what it must be like to prepare for an MMA fight? Where you know there’s a very real possibility that you could get knocked out.. or worse…
That’s the question we put to professional fighter Sullivan Cauley, a 29-year-old former wrestler at Arizona State University, who has been fighting in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) since 2020.
Cauley’s response: Preparing for a fight is “a mind fuck.”
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He added: “As far as sports go, nothing really compares. The pressure a fighter is under and the threat of physical danger is [unmatched]...You need to believe you’re not going to get knocked out, and also come to terms with the fact that it’s a possibility.”
And ultimately, the only way to work through it is to practice it. Over and over.
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“The more you fight, the more you have to do it and the better you become,” said the long-time Battle Bars ambassador.
From Wrestling to MMA
After earning his political science degree from ASU, Cauley “dove right into striking sports.”
He dabbled with Muay Thai and became an amateur boxer, logging 25 fights along the way, before turning his attention to becoming a professional MMA fighter.
Cauley credits his coach Dan Brandt for his guidance along the way, including helping him achieve his biggest career victory so far: beating former UFC fighter Phil Davis, a milestone that confirmed Cauley’s place among the sport’s rising talents.
Coaching aside, Cauley also believes part of his success has to do with the fact that, after wrestling, he spent a lot of time building his striking skillset first before transitioning to MMA, something many former wrestlers don’t do.
Further, his athletic strengths simply play better into fighting than wrestling, the bottom line being he is “a way better fighter than I was a wrestler,” he said.
Behind the Big Stage
For fans tuning in on fight night, the scene is electric: Bright lights, roaring crowds, and the charged anticipation of two fighters about to collide.
But behind the spectacle lies a much more mundane lifestyle, Cauley admitted.
His day-to-day life involves spending four hours a day in the gym, starting with grappling and wrestling in the morning, and then Jiu Jitsu and striking at night.
Further, he sprinkles in running, bike sprints and strength training. The goal isn’t to PR his lifts in the gym, but Cauley knows gaining strength will translate to his performance in the ring.
When he’s not in the gym, he can be found reading, working on his mobile Pickleball business—which sets up Pickleball courts for corporate events and churches—and most recently, preparing to become a father next spring.
Fight days are equally routine.
The day begins with breakfast before heading to the gym for a light workout, which “helps with the nerves,” he said. After that, he just hangs out and watches movies.
“It’s basically just killing time,” he said, laughing.
Killing time, and getting into the right head space to put his life on the line.
Cauley and Battle Bars
For Cauley, Battle Bars has become way more than just a sponsor.
Over the years, Cauley said has gotten to know pretty much the entire Battle Bars team, and considers owner Alex Witt a true friend. Further, he appreciates what the brand stands for.
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“I love that it’s veteran owned and that it’s a bootstrap, blue collar business,” Cauley said. “And I like the fact that they don’t compromise on their formula just to grow the brand faster.”
That being said, if he didn’t also love the product, the partnership never would have flourished.
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“They’re a perfect bite,” Cauley said of the protein bars, adding that during the times he is on a strict diet and can’t have an unhealthy treat, he turns to a Battle Bar to “scratch that itch,” his favorite being the lemon protein bar.
“It’s the best protein bar I can get my hands on,” he added.
Looking Ahead
Cauley intends to fight in the PFL for at least one more year, but his ultimate goal is much bigger than that: “To become a world champ,” said Cauley, who also has his sights set on fighting in the UFC in the near future.
As for what he’ll do when he is ready to retire from the sport, he isn’t sure, but he imagines he’ll take on some entrepreneurial pursuit or other.
Although he doesn’t have it all planned out yet, one thing is for certain: Battle Bars will continue to be part of his routine, fueling whatever comes next.
