Jimmy Drago: 8 Drug Overdoses, Sobriety, and His Journey to a UFC Dream

MMA fighter Jimmy Drago joins The Zac Clark Show just weeks before stepping into the cage for the biggest fight of his life — a shot at a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. But before the cage came chaos: By 19, Jimmy had survived eight overdoses, been revived by Narcan four times, fought in underground clubs in Hunts Point, and lost his father –  a decorated 9/11 hero – to addiction after 21 years sober. Through it all, his mother never gave up on him. In this raw and powerful conversation, Jimmy shares his journey from shooting dope in a Bronx trap house to fighting in front of 50 Cent… from despair to discipline… from near-death to chasing a dream few would believe possible. Jimmy Drago lives the word fighter. But beyond the cage, beyond the shot at a UFC contract, his life begins and ends with sobriety – a commitment to staying sober and helping others do the same. If you’ve ever doubted the possibility of radical transformation, this one will change your mind. Episode highlights: Growing up in Yonkers as the oldest of three, son of a firefighter and a mother battling her own recovery Losing his father to addiction — and the last time he ever saw him From promising high school football player to full-blown heroin addiction Underground fights in the Bronx during active addiction Surviving 8 overdoses and finding recovery Discovering MMA and the purpose it gave him Why helping others is his greatest victory Watch Jimmy fight for his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series August 12 on ESPN+. For more information on how to stream, click below: https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/3b9a50f1-caad-4250-918f-b15d884b6608 Today's episode is sponsored by NewForm: the first app for recovery and mental wellbeing. Find thousands of live events, powerful tools to track your growth, and a community that truly understands your journey. To find NewForm, click here or download the App: https://www.newform.org/ Connect with Zac https://www.instagram.com/zwclark/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-c-746b96254/ https://www.tiktok.com/@zacwclark https://www.strava.com/athletes/55697553 https://twitter.com/zacwclark If you or anyone you know is struggling, please do not hesitate to contact Release Recovery: (914) 588-6564 releaserecovery.com @releaserecovery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices