Tim Means didn’t really have a smooth life even though he has 33 victories out of the 50 bouts he has fought in his professional MMA career. The welterweight fighter had a transformation when he was just 21 years old. But it all came with a major setback that got him sentenced to prison.

The world of mixed martial arts has often wondered about the reason why Means was sent to jail. Today, let’s take a deep dive and learn everything about the welterweight contender’s crime and how he dealt with it. Let’s get right into it!

Why did Tim Means go to prison? How much time did he spend there?

Means was 20 when things took a darker turn in his career. Following a night of heavy drinking with friends in 2004, accusations of line-cutting flew towards the welterweight. Soon, the intoxication took control and as things began to worsen, a man came forth and unleashed 15 bullets on Means and his friends. Needless to say, Means was lucky enough to be alive following the incident. However, one round pierced his leg. 

To ease the pain, Means was prescribed morphine. And within a few doses, the MMA athlete developed an addiction to the dr*g. He said, “I felt like I was on top of the world. That shit is awesome, but before you know it you’re abusing it and it’s not helping you get back on track. You want to stay fuzzy and tingly and it’s not helping you out.”

But that wasn’t something that the doctors could prescribe for a long time. As soon as the prescriptions stopped, he sought solace in c*c*ine and methamphetamine. And that became the reason for his imprisonment. Later, while he was intoxicated, he was charged with aggravated battery for striking a man who apparently broke into his house.

Means narrated, “From then on I got on probation, they were giving me dr*g tests, and I was trying to hide the dr*g tests which meant not showing up to take them or not answering my probation officers phone calls to take them and the judge put me in jail. I realized freedom wasn’t what I needed at the time, I needed to buckle down and look at my addictions that’s what I did. I went to prison, and focused on correcting myself, got out in 2009, and have been running ever since.”

Unlike many others, the 4 years in prison helped Means get out of his addiction. The time he served in prison gave him the chance to reflect upon his mistakes and how things could have become even worse.

Tim Means talks about changing his life after serving jail time

The former King of Cage Lightweight Championship winner admitted that going to prison scared him. He had to keep his head low at all times and avoid confrontations with other tough guys. But when he realized that people were progressing in their lives while he was stuck in a bubble, he decided to take accountability and rise stronger than ever.

Means said, “I’ve always been a guy who has had a heart but I really don’t care what people think of me. Getting in trouble at an early age and then having my nephews watching me be a jerk and a bully, it wasn’t the person who I wanted to be. So now I’m trying to be a role model and a different guy. But it’s hard sometimes when you’re cutting weight and want an Oreo or something, it’s hard to be that nice guy, but it comes with the territory.”

With his responsibilities and discipline keeping him in check, the welterweight became more focused on his career. Not a single moment passes by when Means doesn’t thank his family and feels grateful for the second life he got after his release from prison. Now, Means is all set to land against Court McGhee at UFC 307. With his massive MMA record and determination to win in the game of life, Means aims at one more win at Salt Lake City, Utah. 

What are your thoughts on Tim Means’ mistakes and the changes that prison brought out in him? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.