Ezra Elliot: Victory in and out of the Cage
- Zach Anderson
- 8 hours ago
- 7 min read
Interview by Chaplain Zach Anderson | The Fight Life Ministries
Ezra Elliot is turning heads with explosive knockouts and a quiet confidence. But behind the highlight reels is a fighter who’s learned that real victory happens long before the bell rings.
We sent Ezra several questions--some about the cage, some about life. His answers are sincere, insightful, and packed with wisdom every fighter needs. Whether you’re chasing a belt or just trying to get through a Monday, this interview is for you.
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A look into the fight life
Ezra Elliott, born and raised in Illinois, is currently living and training in Arizona since he moved there to pursue his fighting career in 2021. Ezra is an ambitious and disciplined 25 year old with a professional MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) record of 5-0, with all five wins coming from first round finishes. He also stepped into his professional career undefeated as an amateur and has quickly become a rising star.
To add to Ezra's impressive combat sports resume, he achieved an athletes' dream of becoming Illinois' State Wrestling Champion in 2019. He would later go on to win the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Open where he submitted the ADCC East Coast Trials champion, Dorian Olivarez. He also defeated the EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) champion, Landon Elmore. Ezra's skills and dedication to refinement are something all fighters should follow.
Ezra trains alongside many world-class fighters and is currently preparing for a competition against a high level competitor for the RUF (Ringside Unified Fighting) Featherweight Title.
Training and competing is Ezra's profession--it's the lens in which he sees life through and the language in which he expresses himself. He's recognized his God-given gifts and is walking the path set before him with His eyes fixed on Jesus through all the ups and downs that the fight life brings. God is His constant anchor in an ever-changing atmosphere and culture. Ezra is living in grace-filled victory that only Jesus gives.
The importance of team
Q: Competing can be a brutal grind, how do you stay motivated and disciplined through training camps and setbacks like injuries? What’s something you do to recharge when you’re not in the gym?
Ezra:
Training camp is a grind, no doubt. Your body and mind get tested every single day. My motivation comes from wanting to get the most out of myself. When setbacks or injuries come my way, I remind myself that God’s timing is everything. He doesn’t waste pain, He uses it to build patience and character. Because of that I'm able to trust Him in my journey and in His timing, easier said than done of course, but that's the mindset I like to have.
"God's timing is everything."
I’m surrounded by so many good people who have been there, who have done that, so I get to talk to those guys who mentor me and I trust them. When I’m not in the gym I spend time with my friends, my dog, out in nature or doing my recovery regiment: sauna, red light therapy, cold plunges. My philosophy is: Train hard. Recover hard. And I just want to give a shout out to Rejuvenate, they sponsored me this current fight camp, and I’ve felt great!
Q: Is there a person that’s been an influence in your fight journey, and how do they keep you grounded as your career continues?
Ezra:
I’ve been very blessed to train with some incredible mentors. There’s too many to shoutout because so many people have a hand in getting me to where I am. At The Lab we have a mantra: Ubuntu. It means "I am because we are".
Since I moved down to Arizona my team has shown me what consistency and humility look like at the highest of levels. They lead me by example. Two big influences I have had would be my friends Sugar and Bryce, Sean O’Malley and Bryce Meredith. The way that Sugar has taken me under his wing and given me advice, especially outside of fighting, has meant a lot to me. Whenever I've needed anything he’s been there for me. My friend Bryce is the exact same way. They inspire me to be the type of men they are.
There are so many good people I trust that have contributed to my life. I’ve gotten really lucky and blessed to be around the people I’m around. They keep me grounded by their example of hard work and presence. My circle is small, but everyone in my circle is a super trusted ally.
Faith and fighting
Q: Please share a pivotal moment in your life when you first encountered Jesus in a way that changed everything for you.
Ezra:
To me there’s no particular moment that stands out when I encountered Jesus. I think I was always a believer, but I definitely had my rocky moments from time to time. There are certain things that have played out in my life that almost seem like they’re too spot on to be a coincidence and too many times to count for me to think everything is pure chance. This entire world exists by intelligent design. Everything happens for a reason and at the right time, and I’m grateful for my journey with God.
"Everything happens for a reason."
Q: As a rising star, what role has your faith played in getting you to this point? Were there any doubts or challenges in the fight world that Jesus helped you overcome?
Ezra:
My faith is everything to me, not just with fighting, but with all of life. I truly believe and trust that whatever happens is meant to happen and that better days are always ahead. The fight world can be shady, filled with egos, and lots of comparisons being made between competitors. Just being grateful for where I am and trusting in where God is leading me keeps me focused. I work hard to be fully present for each moment, something fighters can be really bad at.
Q: Keeping a good mindset and staying focused is so important in and out of the cage for a competitor, is there a Bible verse or prayer that you lean on to help get you through the grind and stay on track?
Ezra:
My favorite Bible verse is a simple one that I actually had tattooed on my chest when I was 17 years old: For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he, Proverbs 23:7. What we believe of ourselves will be manifested into our reality. It’s a Scripture about the power of belief and we can literally paint our reality with our thoughts and mindset. God has given us as humans the ability to take things from our internal brain and bring them into the reality of our external world.
Redefining success
Q: Many competitors chase identity in belts, crowds, record or the number of knockouts they have. How has knowing Jesus redefined success and peace for you?
Ezra:
So this was something I got to learn at a small scale my senior year of high school. My whole wrestling career, from the time I was 10 till I was 18, all I ever wanted was a state title. I’d pray about it, I’d dream about it, and all I cared about was the bracket board. I ended up becoming that champion and I realized instantly that all my hard work and longing was for a piece of cardboard.
"The journey was where all the joy was."
The journey was where all the joy was, not in the cardboard bracket you get to take home. When you’re sitting there going, "When I get this achievement, I’ll be happy", or chasing anything like money, fame, status, a following, you’re drawing yourself away from God. Only He gives fulfillment and success.
Victory outside the cage
Q: What's some advice you'd give for a fighter who’s wrestling with faith?
Ezra:
My advice to any fighter wrestling with faith is this: bring Him into your life now. Let Him be your anchor before the storm hits. God doesn’t just want your wins, He wants your heart.
Q: Living the fight life goes beyond the cage, what would you say to a competitor that’s feeling beat down, maybe physically or even spiritually, about taking steps towards putting their faith in Jesus, the One that has been in our corner all along?
Ezra:
To the fighter who’s tired physically, mentally, or spiritually, know this: you’re not alone in the fight. Jesus has been in your corner since day one. At my lowest point I have felt His presence. The Bible is full of stories and characters that we can all relate to. Like Noah, build your arc because a flood is coming and we gotta prepare for those moments.
God Bless anyone who reads this!
Connect with ezra
If you're interested in connecting with Ezra, sponsoring or following him on social media, he can be found on these platforms:
Instagram: ezra__elliott
Snapchat: ezra.elliot
Youtube: Ezra_Elliot
Bonus questions
Q: The hardest question so far: what is your go-to cheat meal?
Ezra:
I'm totally a sweets guy! I usually like some kind of homemade cake or cinnamon roll, with a big glass of chocolate milk. If I'm fresh after a fight I go to an ice cream shop called Novel. They make these things called Dough Melts, it’s two donuts with ice cream in the middle sandwiched together.
Q: What is your walk out song?
Ezra:
When You Were Young by The Killers (click here)
Q: Who's a fighter you'd love to spar with?
Ezra:
I’d like to spar with Mighty Mouse, Demetrious Johnson. He’s a legend and I think it would be really fun to flow with him.
We appreciate Ezra taking the time to share his heart. Our hope is that you, the fight community, has been given insight through Ezra's words, to put your own trust in Jesus. As The Fight Life, we are here for you and in your corner for every step of your faith journey.
Please connect with us on our home page to let us know how we can serve you.
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