“When you on the mat in a match you have a lot of emotions in your head. I like the way they do it, the same as they do it in UFC and all the combat sports. It feels great just to represent my team and all the hard work that we’ve put in,” AJ Ferrari remarked in 2021 during his time competing with the Cowboys. His passion for wrestling has driven him to invest a significant portion of his life into the sport.

Nevertheless, his journey has not followed a straightforward path, as it has been marked by numerous obstacles. Ferrari faced a myriad of challenges, including injuries and legal disputes, navigating through each one with determination! In 2024, he ultimately arrived at CSU-Bakersfield. What about his record? In the 197 lbs category, Ferrari boasts an impressive win rate of 100%, achieving a flawless record of 16-0 in the ongoing 2024-25 NCAA wrestling season. He is undoubtedly pursuing that championship title, and indeed, he has a daring message for his rivals.

In a recent conversation with FloWrestling’s Christian Pyles, Ferrari remarked, “Everybody in the country, personally, I see there’s, like, everybody wants to talk about tiers. You guys were talking about tiers earlier in the season. My tiers are not always the most technical and the most sound. For me, it’s a mental tier.” Ferrari is an individual who has consistently emphasized his mindset. He undoubtedly maintains his physical condition every time he wrestles.

Recall the 605 lbs deadlift he did a few months ago? Yet he has consistently prioritized the mental aspect of the sport. The CSU-Bakersfield wrestler expressed his views on other wrestlers, saying, “Like, I feel like Jacob Cardenas is honestly just as technical and just as good a wrestler as Stephen Buchanan, as me. I just don’t feel like he’s there or here. I feel like you watch. Same thing with Trey Munoz and Stephen Little. They’re almost as good. But then that second, third period, they started to get a little bit off. Conditioning is not just physical. It’s mental. You know?”

The 23-year-old asserts that on a wrestling mat, the outcome hinges entirely on the mental state of the competitor. Indeed, he has a point there. Let’s take a closer look at the latest two matches of his career. During the Conference semifinals, Ferrari initially went up against Cole Jackson. The results? A commanding 23-6 in 5:53.

Following Jackson’s defeat, Ferrari faced off against Stephen Little at the Pac-12 finals, and the outcomes were similarly aligned. It marked yet another triumph for the CSU-Bakersfield wrestler. Considering all the challenges he faced, transferring to this specific university could very well be a significant decision made by Ferrari. What are his reflections? It appears he is thoroughly enjoying himself!

AJ Ferrari’s motivation to strong finish

AJ Ferrari returned to the wrestling mat, not to showcase his abilities against fellow competitors, but to make a statement. He envisions a promising future in the sport, positioning himself as a potential Olympic contender in the years ahead. Joining CSU-Bakersfield has undoubtedly brought about significant changes for him, and he often dedicates his time to coach Ernest James.

What are his opinions about him? “Coach, Ernest James, it’s funny. He’s uh, just joking around. I actually run these. I love it because I get to compete here, and I run these bleachers 50 steps of these bleachers with Coach Ernest, James on my back 280 pounds. So that’s just amazing. You know? And then everyone, bleach, isn’t here, you know. I’m always hanging my waist to improve, you know. Um, yeah, I’m excited to finish off this year, strong. You know, I just can’t wait super, super excited to uh, finish off the year strong,” said Ferrari.

The 23-year-old is eager to explore the opportunities that the university presents for his future career. With a coach like James, he’s truly enjoying every moment in the program. The connection they have demonstrated transcends limits, as the coach is unreserved in his approach, treating his students with a friendly demeanor. James recognizes the immense potential that Ferrari holds, and he is keenly aware of the implications once the wrestler regains his footing.