In the realm of combat sports, few stories embody raw determination quite like that of Forrest “The Black Clover.” From the humble beginnings of Dade City, Florida, where growing up with seven brothers meant daily wrestling matches were simply part of life, Forrest has carved a unique path to becoming a 6-1 professional MMA fighter while maintaining a full-time career as a truck driver.

This conversation peels back the layers of what makes a fighter persist despite overwhelming odds. Forrest reveals how he manages the seemingly impossible—driving trucks across state lines, sometimes to Texas and back, while maintaining the discipline to train, cut weight, and dominate in the cage. “If you want it bad enough, you’re going to find a way to do it,” he shares, describing how he performs pull-ups in his truck and jumps rope in the back of trailers just to stay conditioned while working.

What truly separates this fighter is his authentic approach to both victory and defeat. After amassing an impressive 8-0 amateur record, Forrest transitioned to pro fighting with refreshing honesty about his motivations: “What made me stop at eight was I wanted to get paid.” His lone professional loss became not a setback but a catalyst, especially after seeing the look on his young son’s face following the fight: “No more losing in front of you, this ain’t happening,” he vowed. True to his word, his comeback fight ended with a devastating first-round TKO.