Athletes
Devin Clark Stays Driven Despite A Rocky Road
UFC Light Heavyweight Devin Clark’s Ups And Downs Haven’t Defined Him Or Put Out His Fire To Be The Best.
With a smile on his face, Devin Clark will tell you that his UFC journey hasn’t been an easy one.
14 fights into his almost seven-year UFC career he currently sits at 7-7. Clark’s record doesn’t tell the full story, though, as he’s gone toe-to-toe with some of the top light heavyweights and heavyweights in the UFC.
Those encounters with former champions and title challengers have helped Clark gain confidence that he not only belongs, but that he can continue to navigate his way to the top despite the tough losses.
“It’s been a rocky road. It’s been like driving on an old mountain road and half of it is road and half of it is rocks, and parts break and stuff like that. You got to keep going and that’s what I’ve done,” Clark told UFC.com. “I’ve kept going, trying to endure and trying to go on a winning streak. I’m trying to win and be the champion that I know I can be.”
Where has the motivation come from all these years?
“That’s all in the heart. If your heart isn’t in the sport anymore, then obviously you can’t do it, but my heart is still in it,” Clark said. “I want to win. I have that fire and that drive. It’s kind of easy to get back, especially after a loss. I want to get better, and I want to avenge that loss.”
Devin Clark Fight Week Interview | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Spivac
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Devin Clark Fight Week Interview | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Spivac
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“Now if I get to a point after a loss where I’m like, ‘Ah, whatever I’m over it,’ no, that’s not the case at all, I’m still hungry and I want to be a champion. I still want to be a winner, and in my daughter’s eyes I’m a winner and I want to keep that true.”
Clark’s positive attitude is proof that the ups and downs of the fight game haven’t left the South Dakota native discouraged, and that he’s determined to get back in the win column at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Spivac when he meets Da Woon Jung.
Right now, Clark’s mind is lasered in on keeping the mindset that he has coming into the fight with Jung.
“The intent is to whoop him,” Clark clarifies. “To beat him.”
Clark’s confidence comes not only from those experiences in deep waters, but also from the extended preparation that he put into the camp for this fight. He took a little more time than usual, stretching out his camp to about two-and-a-half months out in Denver with Elevation Fight Team.
Working on those weak areas and addressing them with more intention and extra time have Clark turning potential into skill.
And he’s ready to leave it all on the line when faces Jung this weekend.
“He’s good, he’s all right. He’s well-rounded but I’m going to drag him around that cage, honestly,” Clark said. “It’s going to be a bad night for him. Hopefully not too bad for me. I might get a little scuffed up, but I ain’t worried about it.”
“I’m trying to finish him in the second round. A little ground-and-pound action,” Clark predicts.
WATCH UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Lewis vs Spivac
And even if that prediction doesn’t go as planned or if he faces adversity in the fight, there is one guarantee that Clark knows he can deliver on no matter what.
“I go out there and try every fight to bring all my heart,” Clark said.
And when Clark looks back on his UFC career, that’s something that he will always be able to hang his hat on.
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Spivac took place live from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 4, 2023. See the Final Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC Fight Pass!
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