Former UFC Fighter Dante Rivera Finds Purpose In His Students

Brandon Smith joined Dante Rivera's Freehold-based MMA gym, Dante Rivera BJJ, when he was just 9-years old. Fast forward a few years and Smith, now 18, made his MMA debut at CFFC 109 on May 27th, with Rivera sitting cage-side, coaching him.

Rivera knows what it's like to be inside a cage. He did it for twelve years as a professional fighter. Now, he helps his students do it, and he's got a knack for it. His MMA fight team is proof: his stable of 30 athletes went 27-3 last year."Our record speaks for itself," Rivera said.

When I asked him for an example he's most proud of, he immediately referenced Smith.

"He just turned 18, stepped into the cage, had his first fight, and won in the first minute of the first round via rear-naked choke. To watch him grow up from that age, guide him until now, I couldn't be any prouder to see him win," Rivera said.

Pictured: Dante Rivera with Brandon Smith, then age nine. Photo courtesy of Dante Rivera.

During my interview with Dante Rivera we spoke about his transition from athlete to entrepreneur. It's important subject, because for athletes, meaningful work is just as important as the means that work generates.

History is wrought with examples of remarkable athletes who couldn't keep it together after leaving their combat sports careers behind.

When Floyd Mayweather and I spoke last summer, I reflected on our discussion and wrote that "some leave with great records, others with great fame or fortune, and most leave with nothing."

Rivera has proven to be an exception, thanks to pride he has in his students–students like Smith–that have kept Rivera fulfilled and far from the pitfalls athletes fall into following retirement.

Unlike Mayweather, Rivera is focused on his income and the impact his work has. "It's all about trust. When someone is teaching you self-defense, you have to trust them," Rivera said.

"It's All About Trust."

Pictured: A photo on the wall at Dante Rivera's academy in Freehold of Rivera receiving his black belt from from Ricardo Almeida in 2008. Photo taken by the author.

He takes his role as a black belt, one of the few who personally teaches his kid's classes, that keeps him grounded despite the ever-present temptation to return to the cage.

“I live vicariously through my students,” Rivera said.

“These guys can call me at midnight with a problem, or just to tell me what’s on their mind, and that’s your job as a black belt. To help these guys better themselves in every way. The minute you become my student, I take on that responsibility,” Rivera said.