Raised on Chicago’s South Side before moving to Hammond, Indiana, Gabriel Mota’s early life was marked by "rough" surroundings and poor choices. His mother, whom he calls his guardian angel, stood by him through numerous court appearances and steered him toward sports. After wrestling and playing football at 16, he earned a scholarship to St. Joseph’s College. However, when his mother faced foreclosure, Mota prioritized family over athletics, working full-time while completing his Bachelor’s in Exercise Science. A Catholic who is drifting more towards non denominational Christianity, he lives by the Bible and finds daily inspiration in the book, One Minute with God for Men. Mota is a committed father who limits his kids' screen time to encourage them to work with their hands. He fights to leave a legacy as a "good man."

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Mota is a technical boxer who works closely with Coach Mike Davis to perfect his craft. His journey into combat sports included a stint in LFA, where he secured a viral 18-second knockout. His transition to bare-knuckle was sparked while serving as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion Arnold Adams; impressed by Mota’s skills, Adams encouraged him to jump into the BKFC ring. Though he missed the official tryouts, his reputation and talent landed him a spot on the roster, and his success has since boosted the profile of his home gym, 219 Cartel Fight Team, where he trains athletes out of his garage.