Issue 186
December 2019
Speaking to Fighters Only before his defeat by Benson Henderson, the Bellator lightweight discusses what MMA means to him
Tale of the tape
Bellator Lightweight
Age: 30
Record: 17-5-0
Team: Power MMA
You are wasting no time going straight for the top of the Bellator pool, taking on Benson Henderson in your debut with the company. What does it mean to have that opportunity right out of the gate?
I am looking to really test myself against the best guys in the world. Somebody like Benson, man, that’s a great opportunity to test myself. Now, being aligned with Bellator I am super grateful and super honored to be put in a main event. All around, it’s a beautiful opportunity.
What went in to making your decision to make the jump to Bellator?
My management came to me with an offer from Bellator. The opportunity, the numbers and the all-around feel, I liked it. I really did. That is what made me jump and sign with Bellator.
Many fighters that have made the jump from the UFC to Bellator have told me it’s more of a fighter-friendly environment. Is it a more fighter friendly culture?
So far. I am fairly new to the organization but the vibe has been awesome. I am getting with everybody on the team. So far anything I need, everyone has been awesome. I definitely see it being a tight-knit group.
You have fought at various weight classes. What was the reason for the jump back up to lightweight?
It was just fate. The opportunity that was presented is what really made me go back up to lightweight. Besides that, it has been in the back of my mind for a while now. I have been at featherweight and for that I have to do a lot more roadwork. It’s a lot more work to make that weight. At lightweight, I can focus more on the training and the fight not just making weight. That was a nice shift, to be able to move up and make that choice. But the number one thing was the opportunity that Bellator presented me to fight Benson Henderson.
Speaking of training you said that you are working on strength and conditioning, more specifically strength and explosiveness. What specifically have you done to work on this in this camp?
At 145, I really didn’t do too much lifting. It’s more or less, as I get closer to a fight it’s a minute circuit of different fight-related movements. For the last three months I have been working with a strength and conditioning coach and we have been focusing on building a good foundation of strength. It’s good lifts. Good, slow lifts. I’m not going for cardio or pace or to blow my lungs out. It’s more or less to get a good, heavy lift and give myself ample time for my muscles to recover and then blow it out again and get that second set in. It all goes back to building a good strength base. As the fight gets closer, we taper off on the lifts and it’s more explosive movements. We might do one or two strength exercises but the rest is fight-related cardio. This fight I am really coming in strong, quick and explosive.
Sparring has changed a lot over the years for a lot of reasons. What does it consist of for you these days?
For the past few months it’s consisted of boxing with takedowns or kickboxing with takedowns. I am going hard and really pushing that fight pace. That’s what sparring is for me.
You mentioned working with the Silver Fox on kicks, punches, knees and elbows, right?
(Laughs) you know it, man! Eric Del Fierro keeps me in great shape. That’s it. That’s me. I like kicks, I like punches, I like knees and I like elbows. I like it all. I will keep adding to my repertoire.
What’s been the funniest gym moment from this camp?
It’s usually business in the gym but we will have fun though. We will be dancing around or playing soccer a little bit when we are warming up but when it’s time to put the work in we put the work in.
I have to ask, who is the best dancer in the gym?
(Laughs) That would have to be me! I will say this, there are a lot of other good dancers in there. Jeremy Stephens is good. We have some good dancers.
You mentioned the love of the game. What do you love most about the fight game right now?
To me, it’s… What’s the truth? Why am I doing this? When I first started there was no money in it. There was no Ultimate Fighter, no popularity. What do I love about it? I love the process. I love martial arts. I love the thrill of going out there and putting it all on the line, really putting it all on the line and testing myself, my mind, my emotions and my spirit. That’s what I love about it. If you were to strip everything away it’s all about going out there and putting it on the line. When I am older and when I’m on my deathbed, I will be proud that I went out there and tested myself as a warrior and that’s what I am. That’s what I love the most about this game.
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