SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Undefeated UFC lightweight Mark Madsen is making some big life changes.
Although he keeps his “white belt mentality,” Madsen (11-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) is making some black-belt-level moves. A native of Denmark, the country he medaled for in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, Madsen is packing his bags and moving to Arizona with his family.
“The whole last year I was busy with a lot of things,” Madsen told MMA Junkie on Friday. “My wife got diagnosed with MS disease (multiple sclerosis), we had a house that had to be rebuilt, and I’ve been putting everything I could into just getting ready, getting settled. Actually also preparing for a big thing for my family and I, which is we’re actually moving out here to Arizona.
As Madsen pointed out, moving states is one thing – but moving countries? That’s a big lifestyle change for the Madsen crew, but he thinks it’ll be worth it. During his Olympic tenure, Madsen strived for greatness and won a silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling. He has similar plans for MMA, but it involves gold.
“We’re doing a two-year title run, so I’m bringing the whole family out here and we’ll be going 100 percent at it,” Madsen said.
Fight Ready MMA & Fitness was instrumental in the change. The home to the likes of former UFC dual-champion Henry Cejudo, UFC flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo, and next UFC featherweight title challenger Chan Sung Jung, Madsen trains with some of the best fighters in the world under coaches Eddie Cha, Santino Defranco, and Eric Albarracin.
“I don’t believe I can get what I’m getting here anywhere else in the world,” Madsen said. “This is truly a world champ camp (and) fight gym.”
Madsen (11-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) returns to action at UFC 273 on April 9, when he meets Vinc Pichel (14-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC), a veteran who’s put a nice run together since returning from a long layoff in 2017.
“I’m expecting to see a fight and also I’d love to rip that mustache off,” Madsen laughed. I” think it’s a gorgeous mustache, but Jesus, I’m excited. I’ve seen some fights of Vinc, and he’s an exciting fight. He’s a tough guy, and I’m excited to get in there and get the work done and show the world. Let’s give the world a fight.”
As he makes his climb toward title gold, Madsen refuses to stay anything but humble. It’s a mindset that has proven foolproof for him throughout his athletic tenure. What areas could he improve in? Madsen says all of them.
“I’m still undefeated in MMA,” Madsen said. “I’ve been wrestling my entire life. It’s been a short journey in MMA. I’m still undefeated, but I’m keeping a white belt mentality. I want to adjust everything. I want to be better at everything, not only MMA wrestling but jiu-jitsu, stand-up (naturally), kickboxing, boxing, muay thai. I want to be better at everything. That’s why I’m making the commitment to move my family out, move myself out, join the right environment.
“We used to have a saying, ‘Surround yourself with people on the same path.’ To be honest, I really believe that’s what I’m doing right here. I’ve put myself in a position and a path to go where I want to go, and ultimately, I want to be the UFC lightweight champion.”
