Why Tresean Gore Quit Weed & The Regret Haunting UFC 33
From Bold Predictions to Second Chances: The Tresean Gore Story
The Prediction That Haunted Him
"I’m going to be a champion within a year, and I want titles in multiple divisions."
When UFC Middleweight Tresean Gore said these words on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), he didn’t realize they would follow him like a shadow. Fans labeled him "cocky" before he ever stepped into the Octagon. After losing his first two UFC fights, the criticism only got louder.
But here’s the thing—lots of fighters say they’ll be champions. Why did Gore’s statement stick so hard?
A Childhood That Built a Fighter
Gore’s confidence didn’t come from nowhere. It came from survival.
Growing up in South Carolina:
- Father incarcerated his entire life
- Mother struggled with drug addiction
- Eventually fell in with the wrong crowd
- Spent time in juvenile detention for dealing drugs and fighting
Important Point: Gore says he wouldn’t change his childhood because it shaped him into the man he is today. But he needed an outlet—and he found it at 17.
Finding Martial Arts: The Turning Point
The Missed Opportunity
- Wanted to box and do karate as a kid
- Mom wouldn’t sign him up due to "bad behavior"
- The irony: Martial arts would have given him the discipline he needed
- Had to wait until age 17 to start training
The Journey Begins
- Released from juvie at 17
- Found Legion Martial Arts (jiu-jitsu school near grandma’s house)
- Day one: Called out the toughest guy, got beat up, kept coming back
- Eventually started winning against guys who once dominated him
- Moved to Georgia for higher-level training
- Teamed up with Douglas ‘Phenom’ Lima and Diego Lima
The Fast Track to UFC
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2013 | First amateur fight |
| 2013-2017 | 5-1 amateur record |
| 2018 | Professional debut |
| 2018-2021 | 3-0 pro record |
| 2021 | Called for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) |
Gore’s mindset: "I didn’t think about it. I just jumped right into it. There’s nobody I’m saying no to. I have no fear."
The TUF Experience & That Famous Quote
- Became a breakout personality on the show
- Advanced to the finale
- Injury forced withdrawal from the finale fight
- During the show: Made the "champion in one year" prediction
Gore’s Reflection Years Later:
"I know when I came on the scene, I was talking a lot of shit and said I was going to be a champion in one year. But, hey, man, how could you blame a young kid who came from the projects and wanted to have title aspirations one day?"
He doesn’t regret the dream—just the delivery. He admits he could’ve been more humble, but explains:
"From the day I stepped onto the jiu-jitsu mats, my dream was to become UFC champion. I was telling my coach that from the beginning. It was never, ‘I hope I make it to the UFC.’ I always knew I would be there."
The Rollercoaster UFC Career
The Pattern Emerges
Win → Win → Loss → Loss → Win → Win → Loss → Loss
Notable highlight: One of the nastiest submissions in recent UFC history (vs. Fremd)
The Real Enemy: Marijuana
Important Point: Gore identifies his biggest problem—not confidence, not experience—marijuana use.
The Brundage Fight (Prime Example):
- Smoked high-THC prerolls (50% THC) every night during camp
- Ate poorly (burritos, Filiberto’s during fight week)
- Came in overweight (212 lbs)
- Quit cold turkey before fight → body went into shock
- Couldn’t eat Tuesday through Thursday
- Needed IV (rare UFC approval) after weigh-ins
- Knocked out in Round 1
The pattern was clear:
- Disciplined, no weed → Wins
- Slipped back to old habits → Losses
The Transformation: December 2025
"God really got to me. The Holy Spirit really got to me. I didn’t just quit weed because I wanted to have a better career. I quit weed because I wanted to be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ."
Since Quitting (December 2025 – Present):
- Best year of his life
- New half-million-dollar house
- New vehicle
- 10-month-old son
- New UFC contract
- Biggest win of his career
- Training full-time at The MMA Lab (Arizona—one of the best gyms in the sport)
What’s Next: UFC 330 vs. Vicente Luque
Next fight: Vicente Luque at UFC 330
Why this matters:
- Luque is a veteran who knows how to fight
- A win could launch Gore into the rankings
- New mindset: No more championship deadlines, no looking past opponents
Gore’s New Philosophy:
"One thing I learned from The Ultimate Fighter is that you have to go step by step. You can’t jump ahead and say, ‘I want to win two titles.’ You have to go opponent by opponent and moment by moment. Right now, I’m taking my time and enjoying each moment."
"My mindset isn’t my old mindset anymore. I know what I have to do to win these fights, so keep watching. I promise you’ll enjoy my story."
Summary
| Phase | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Early Life | Tough childhood in SC; father in prison, mother addicted; juvie for drugs/fighting |
| Martial Arts | Started at 17; obsessed with jiu-jitsu; trained with Lima brothers in Georgia |
| Fast Rise | 5-1 amateur → 3-0 pro → TUF call-up with only 3 pro fights |
| The Prediction | "Champion in 1 year" on TUF → backlash after 0-2 UFC start |
| The Struggle | Inconsistent results; marijuana use sabotaged fight camps |
| The Turning Point | Quit weed Dec 2025 for spiritual reasons; life transformed |
| Current Status | Training at MMA Lab; fighting Vicente Luque at UFC 330; step-by-step mindset |
FAQ
Q: Why did Tresean Gore’s "champion in one year" comment get so much hate?
A: Many fighters make bold claims, but Gore made his on national TV (TUF) with only 3 pro fights. When he lost his first two UFC fights, critics used his own words against him.
Q: Was marijuana really the main reason he lost fights?
A: According to Gore, yes. He noticed a clear pattern: when he stayed disciplined and off weed during camp, he won. When he smoked heavily (especially during fight week), he lost. The Brundage fight is his prime example—he quit cold turkey right before the fight, went into withdrawal, couldn’t eat, needed an IV, and got knocked out.
Q: What changed in December 2025?
A: Gore says he had a spiritual awakening. He quit marijuana not for his career, but to be "obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ." Since then, his personal life (house, car, baby) and professional life (new contract, big win, top gym) have all improved dramatically.
Q: Who is Vicente Luque and why is this fight important?
A: Luque is a well-respected UFC veteran with wins over big names. Beating him would be Gore’s best win to date and could get him ranked in the Middleweight division for the first time.
Q: Has Gore given up on being champion?
A: No. He still wants the title, but his approach changed. Instead of setting deadlines ("champion in one year"), he’s focused on one fight at a time, enjoying the process, and stacking wins. He wants a ranking by end of year, but refuses to look past Luque.
Want to watch UFC 330? Check out the full fight card and Paramount+ bout sheet for details.