Issue 128
May 2015
Big ‘Hapa’ gives his opinions on the UFC heavyweight division, his fresh approach to fighting and, of course, that incredible beard
What do you think about veteran heavyweights like Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ coming back to the UFC?
“It probably says something about the heavyweight division. It’s probably a little stagnant right now. Don’t get me wrong, those guys deserve the respect of everybody and if they want to compete in the UFC then I’m all for it. They don’t need to go to Bellator or anywhere else, they should be in the UFC. But, then, I guess they are spinning the wheels a little bit. Coming back to the UFC after the runs they had when they were last here... Have they made the adjustments required to make an impact again? There’s a lot of tough competitors out there going after it.”
What about Brock Lesnar coming back, would you be up for that fight if he did return?
“Yeah, of course, that would be a great way to get my name out there to other fans. It’s a tough fight though, he’s a tough athlete. I take a lot of pride in the guys I fight and I respect them all inside the Octagon. Going against a guy like that would be a pleasure.”
What other athletes, perhaps outside of MMA, do you respect?
“‘The Rock’, Dwayne Johnson, that’s who I look up to. Not just for what he did in the WWE and what he’s done with his career after, but being a Polynesian man and being from Hawaii myself, he’s definitely someone I look up to. I got to meet him once and speak to him and his mindset is amazing. He recognizes himself as a brand and understands what that means in terms of his career.”
How have you evolved since switching to Glendale Fight Club?
“I’ve come on so much already and I’m training every day to become the best in the world, not just to beat this guy or that guy, but to actually become a dominant UFC champion. I’m training with the big picture in mind and through all my fights I’m learning now, I’m working on things.
“That’s why I never came out swinging against Brendan Schaub. I never threw a punch for three minutes, because I was working on other things. Then when I did, I knocked him out.”
The beard is getting bigger and bigger, are you not under pressure to cut it?
“Apparently there’s a rule in some countries about beards in the ring or cage and while
they could ask me to cut it that doesn’t mean I’m going to. What day and age are we in if a guy can’t grow a beard when he wants too? I mean, I take care of it. It’s not all ratty and nasty. It’s well groomed.”
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