Jordan Kryfka The Hank Russell Invitation interview on Austin Conrad

In the Jordan Kryfka The Hank Russell Invitation interview on MILLIONS, the MMA fighter discussed his October 10 fight with Austin Conrad at Shamrock FC 378, the angles he is working on to get inside a taller opponent’s reach, and his goal of earning a sustainable living in martial arts. He also talked about the team preparing him in Kansas City.

How did Jordan Kryfka get started in MMA?

Jordan Kryfka began his amateur MMA career in 2021 and said he had been competing professionally for about a year. He brought a background in wrestling and jiu-jitsu from middle school into the sport, while striking came later. Turning professional, he said, changed both the expectations around him and his approach to fighting.

From Oswego to Gladstone

Kryfka is originally from Oswego, Illinois. He moved to Kansas halfway through his life and now lives in Gladstone, Missouri, where he trains. His route into MMA was not a matter of learning every part of the sport at once: he had already spent years wrestling and practicing jiu-jitsu before adding the punching aspect.

The shift from amateur to professional fighting

As a professional, Kryfka feels more of his team behind him and sees more opportunities to learn. He said he can still enjoy fighting, but it is also a job that demands a different mentality. He sees advantages and disadvantages in developing separate martial arts skills before moving into MMA, and said he is glad with the path he took.

How is Jordan Kryfka preparing for his next fight with Austin Conrad?

Jordan Kryfka said he will face Austin Conrad at 155 pounds and has focused this camp on finding angles to get inside Conrad’s reach. Conrad is 6-foot-3, while Kryfka is 5-foot-10. For a fighter who relies on strong wrestling and jiu-jitsu, closing that distance without moving straight in is the central challenge he identified.

Kryfka said his grappling background can create a habit of going directly toward an opponent. Against Conrad’s length, he considers that approach a poor fit. His camp has therefore worked on changing the angle of his entry so he can reach positions where his wrestling and jiu-jitsu are more useful.

He described the adjustment as something that requires attention in training rather than a reason to abandon his strengths. The height difference is clear to him, but his answer centered on the decision he can control: how he moves in. He did not give a prediction for the fight.

What did Jordan Kryfka say about his MMA career goals?

Jordan Kryfka’s main goal is to earn a sustainable living through martial arts and eventually become a coach. He said he loves training and the people around it, and wants to remain involved for the long term. He would welcome a major championship, but placed financial stability and continued participation ahead of a title as his guiding aims.

Asked about reaching promotions such as the Professional Fighters League or the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Kryfka focused on building a livelihood that lets him keep training and, one day, coach. He framed becoming a UFC champion as an achievement he would value, not the only way his career could succeed.

Kryfka put the depth of that commitment in his own words:

I plan on being in here until I'm in the grave.

That ambition also shapes how he thinks about money. Kryfka said a large paycheck would not create stability if he immediately went into debt to buy a Ferrari. In his view, managing earnings, training-camp costs and decisions outside the gym matters alongside securing good pay.

What did Jordan Kryfka say about Shamrock FC 378 in Kansas City?

Jordan Kryfka said his fight with Austin Conrad is scheduled for Shamrock FC 378 on October 10 at Ameristar Casino Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri. He said fights start at 7:30 and expects to compete fairly late on the card. He also told viewers they could find a stream through MILLIONS.

The fight card in Kansas City

Kryfka encouraged fans attending the event to arrive for the earlier fights rather than wait for his bout. He expects teammates to compete on the card as well, including Anthony Julie, whom he said will fight for an amateur MMA title before Kryfka’s own appearance.

Watching on MILLIONS

For people watching from home, Kryfka said he had posted a stream link on his MILLIONS page. He also suggested searching for Shamrock FC 378 on the platform. He did not give an exact time for his own fight beyond saying he expected to be close to the end of the card.

Why does Jordan Kryfka change his walkout song for each fight?

Jordan Kryfka changes his walkout song for every fight according to what he needs mentally that night. He had not settled on the music for Shamrock FC 378, but said he was considering a darker, more foreboding atmosphere. His past choices have ranged from lighter songs to heavy metal and EDM.

Kryfka said he tends not to reveal a selection in advance. That leaves the choice open while he works out the mood he wants for a particular fight, rather than treating one song as a permanent part of his entrance.

He mentioned walking out to “the safety dance” and a song he called “never breaking my stride,” as well as using heavy metal and EDM. The latter song is a personal favorite: Kryfka said he plays it when he is in a bad mood and feels ready to get back to work afterward.

Who is supporting Jordan Kryfka at Ignite MMA?

Jordan Kryfka credited Ignite MMA in Kansas City with helping him improve day by day as he prepared for Shamrock FC 378. He also named teammate Anthony Julie, several sponsors and the supporters he calls Backpack Nation. Together, those groups are part of the work and identity he is building around his professional career.

Training at Ignite MMA

Kryfka said he had completed two hard training sessions on the day of the interview. He thanked the gym and its coaches for honing his skills, and said Julie’s amateur title fight would take place before his own. Because he will be preparing to compete, Kryfka does not expect to watch much of Julie’s fight, though he hopes to cheer him on when he can.

Sponsors and Backpack Nation

Kryfka thanked Lion’s Land Management, Johnny’s Tavern of Shawnee, Florida Fight Family, Meg’s Sour Styles and Hill Homes of KC for contributing to his journey. He calls himself “the backpack” and refers to his supporters as Backpack Nation. He also described a school-themed story around the coming fight, calling it a fall semester with finals ahead.