Issue 130
July 2015
The big-hitting UFC 205lb contender takes aim at the rest of the top 10.
Q. Your last fight, against Jan Blachowicz in Poland, failed to live up to expectations. What happened?
A. “My strategy was to knock him out, obviously, but he was a tough opponent. He hadn’t lost a fight in eight years. And I hadn’t fought for over a year. I just needed to sharpen up a few things. I didn’t hit him with too many hard shots, but a win’s a win – on to the next one. I just want to aim at other top 10 opponents now.”
Q. Do you remember your first pro fight?
A. “Yes, and I remember I took a lot of confidence from my very first fight. It brought my street mentality to the fight and while I won it, I also learned a lot in terms of what I had to do to make it.
“I only gave myself three days off and I was straight back in the gym; I just wanted to keep learning. If you watch my first two fights back now, you can see the difference from my first fight to my second. The skill level even then – you can see the improvement.”
Q. What is your motivation to fight?
A. “As a kid I grew up watching Mike Tyson. I even had his haircut. He was my idol. I always loved fighting and fighters. I guess I always knew I would fight professionally one day. Today, my motivation is climbing to the very top of the UFC and becoming the best fighter in the world… Also providing for my family, for my daughters.”
Q. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since turning pro?
A. “When I’m in fight camp, like the final eight weeks or so, then I live in the gym. I’m in there all day working hard. But when I’m not in camp I’ve learned to stay away a little more. I’ve learned that you need to escape.
“I know some guys prefer to live, eat and breathe the gym all the time, but that doesn’t work for me. I knuckle down when I have to, but when I’ve not got a fight coming up I’ve learned to relax and enjoy life.”
Q. You were linked with the UFC long before you actually signed, so what was the delay?
A. “I had a couple of offers before I eventually signed for the UFC, but I didn’t just want to sign for the UFC and lose fights, get chewed up and spat back out. I knew when I signed with the UFC I wanted to stay there and be a top contender. And so far that’s all gone according to plan.”
Q. Your record is 15-1 but we’re yet to see you fight off your back. What’s your ground game actually like?
A. “It’s true a lot of people haven’t really seen my grappling, but I can fight on the ground – don’t worry about that. I just prefer to keep my fights standing.
“I like to give the fans something to cheer about – and everyone likes to see knockouts – so that’s what I aim for every time.”
