An evolving Treston Vines heads into CFFC 121

For welterweight Treston Vines, the biggest jump in his game in 2023 isn’t on the physical side of fighting, but on the mental side.

During his bout against Ian Stephens at AFS 19 in April, Vines was able to tap into a next level mentality, leading him to a unanimous decision and earning him his first victory in almost a year.

“The biggest things that I’ve noticed is that I’ve unlocked another level in my brain, flow state, where you get in the zone and where you just flow and feel all the things are happening and everything coming together,” Vines told MMAWeekly.com.

“I felt like when I was fighting I went into flow state. It just felt natural to me to go out and thinking about what I could do and what I can accomplish. It felt real good.”

The comfort Vines felt mentally in his bout with Stephens allowed him to not worry so much about his technique and just let go, and that’s a sensation he’s been chasing in training since.

“It made me feel like I wanted more,” said Vines. “After I got done fighting, having no worries about my technique, and having everything there, my striking and my grappling, I’m just working consistently on trying to unlock that mindset again. I crave that feeling again and I want to keep going after that.”

This Friday in Tunica, Mississippi, Vines (6-2) will look to add a belt to his collection when he faces Raheam Forest (6-1) in the 170-pound co-main event of CFFC 121, to be broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass.

“I think with this new mindset that patience is going to be my best friend,” Vines said. “I know that too much patience can leave you in a bad spot, but I trust more in being patient but also taking action when opportunities come up.

“(Forest is) a good test for that because his style of fighting versus my style of fighting; inside boxing versus outside boxing; I want to see how I can test myself with that.”

While Vines has his eyes on the next level, he wants to be at his absolute best when he gets there so that he stays there for a long time to come.

“Of course I want to see myself in the UFC, but I’m not trying to rush,” said Vines. “I’ll take advantage of that opportunity when it comes up, but the biggest thing I just need to focus on the most is evolving myself as a mixed martial artist.

“I want to get to that big show, but I’ve got to think about outside the big show on how do I evolve to be overly prepared for the big show.”