LAS VEGAS — Growing up, Jesse Murray valued friendship greatly.
“I have a tight group of friends (in my hometown of Toledo, OH) that I still go see all the time,” the Team Iridium fighter says with a smile on the eve of his Contender Series bout on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Jesse’s closest friends witnessed the evolution of Jesse over the years. But they haven’t just seen him evolve into one of the most promising young fighters in MMA, as Jesse is a man who wears many masks.
D&D Dungeon Master.
“I do that every Sunday.”
Gamer.
“I’m a top one percentile player in Hearthstone (a Warcraft themed online card game).”
“If you’d talked to my friends before I started fighting, not a single one of them would tell you that I was gonna be a fighter. They’d probably say that I was gonna do something with computers or be a chef.”
Jesse studied culinary arts three years in high school. After that he received his bachelors in Information Systems at the University of Toledo. Arriving at this moment, just days away from his opportunity for a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, Jesse is no stranger to pursuing his passions.
Considering half his eight victories as a professional fighter have come by choke, one could say he’s an expert at seizing opportunities.
“I’m definitely a headhunter, if you’re gonna give me your neck, I’ll take it.” Something his teammates know well by now. “I make a lot of jokes around the gym about how people should listen to more Wu-Tang.” Referencing the New York rap group’s debut single Protect Ya’ Neck. Let’s add comedian as one of his many roles.
On Tuesday, Jesse has the chance to seize his most important opportunity thus far; a contract with the UFC.
“I am more focused and ready for this event than any other thing in my life.”
A win Tuesday and Jesse forges perhaps his most fitting mask yet: UFC fighter.
Written by Edson Valenzuela
ABOUT IRIDIUM SPORTS AGENCY
Iridium Sports Agency is a full-service professional management firm. Founded in 2009 by attorney Jason House, Iridium represents 100 fighters in the UFC, Bellator and ProFightLeague. Iridium's team of agents is devoted to assisting athletes in all aspects of their professional lives.