Issue 119
September 2014
Following 2011's wave of revolutions, UFC lightweight Ramsey Nijem hopes his win in Abu Dhabi will inspire the Arab world – and launch his run for the title
To some, Ramsey Nijem is just the happy go-lucky runner-up from The Ultimate Fighter season 13, who had a penchant for getting naked and cracking jokes.
But following his first-round TKO win over Beneil Dariush in front of 8,000 cheering fellow Arabs at UFC Fight Night: Abu Dhabi, the American wrestler now hopes to use his new-found fame in the Middle East to inspire others to make better lives for themselves – and each other.
Although the UFC lightweight title is still very much a part of his plans, here, in an exclusive interview with FO, the 26-year-old reveals how that sweltering hot night in the desert sands changed his life forever...
Surprisingly, you went in as an underdog against Beneil Dariush despite having more experience, so did winning in such emphatic style help prove to you that you belong in the UFC lightweight division?
“Honestly, being the underdog was a huge motivator for me. OK, so I was a little frustrated. He's a young kid who's very talented and I'm sure he's going to do great things in this sport, but I had a lot more experience, and fortunately it was my time.
“I believe I'm the best lightweight in the world and that's the bottom line. That's how I fight and that's how I train.
“I didn't let it phase me that I was the underdog. When I went out there I knew I was going to win the fight, and even though that's how most fighters feel when they walk out, this felt a lot different. I was walking out as an underdog but as a hometown hero, too.”
The reception you received in Abu Dhabi was unreal. How did that feel?
“It was amazing and I'm still so grateful. I was just soaking up the energy of hearing them all call my name. Although to be fair, whether I'm fighting in front of a crowd of five people on The Ultimate Fighter or in front of 8,000 people screaming my name I'm always going to fight as hard as I can.
“But in Abu Dhabi, it was really different; it was unreal. During the fight all I could hear was my coach, that's all I was focusing on. But after the fight and before it, the support was amazing. Usually you're a bit nervous before a fight and your body is shaking, but I felt nothing like that in Abu Dhabi because I knew I was going to win the fight.
“Even when I was warming up I didn't feel nervous, I was as cool as a cucumber. And that really helped during the fight because I was able to strike when I wanted to and captilize when I was ready.
“In the past I've lost fights because I just rushed in and got caught, but now I'm comfortable just letting my natural speed and training unfold in the cage. I'm trying to be more of a sniper than a bull.”
You mentioned in your post-fight interview that your experience in Abu Dhabi changed your outlook on life. Do you still feel the same way?
“Yes, nothing has changed. If anything, I've now realized why I'm supposed to be here and what my calling is within this sport. It made me really change things up and help change my mentality towards the sport. I can't be that fun-loving kid anymore because this is a sport for men.
“Whether I like it or not I've been forced into a role of representing a group of people. At first, I didn't really want to step up but now it's more of a motivator than anything else.”
Prior to the fight, did you have any idea it was going to be such a special night, or that it would affect you so much?
“No, not really. I didn't think it was going to be like that for me. It was very welcoming, very unexpected, but also thrilling and amazing at the same time. I definitely want to fight in Abu Dhabi every time they have a fight card there.
“At first I was a bit nervous about traveling and fighting on a different side of the world because of the time difference and the different diet. Plus, I was a bit shy. But once I got out there and heard the reception I felt really blessed and I knew I couldn't let the people down; I had to win the fight. Thankfully the performance reflected all that.”
Have you had any feedback from the Abu Dhabi fans since the fight?
“Yes, I get messages regularly now on Facebook from young Arabs all over the world, and they tell me they want to be a professional athlete or they want to be a professional fighter.
“They tell me that they're a boxer, a kickboxer or that they've just started jiu-jitsu. Different things like that. They say they want me to keep on waving the flag and show the rest of the world what the Arab people are really like. It's been great motivation.
“When I got home from the fight I was still hobbling because my foot was swollen but I felt so motivated I got back into the gym as soon as I could.”
Any plans to go out there and do seminars?
“I'm working on that now. I'd love to go to Palestine and go to some of the refugee camps and speak to the people. They really are warm and welcoming. But it's difficult to plan because I have no idea when my next fight will be but I still have to train in case I get the call.
“That being said, if I can work something out and do some seminars, or even some speaking, that would be amazing.
“I went to an Arab center the other day and got a great welcome there. They even made me a cake with my face on it. We had a meet-and-greet and there were a lot of young guys there telling me they wanted to get into MMA and jiu-jitsu.”
So, would being such a great inspiration for young Arab men to get into combat sports be an incredible legacy to leave behind?
“Yes, it would because I may never become a champion, that might not be my road. Of course, I'm definitely working towards that goal, to be the best, but that might not be my calling.
“However, I'd still like to show young Arabs they can be something special, whether that be a doctor, a lawyer or a fighter in the UFC. I want to show them they can do more with their lives than just come to America and open up a store or become a taxi driver.
“That's the stereotype Middle-Eastern kids have in this country. But I think that as a people we need bigger dreams, and to achieve bigger things.
“In the Middle East, a lot of the idols people have in these refugee camps are not positive role models. They're not creating anything better, they're just perpetuating the stereotype and making the situation worse.
“The more you retaliate violently, the more they're going to retaliate. It's just a cycle of violence. There won't be any positive change.
“I was in Berlin recently and went to see the remains of a wall that used to split the city in two. And it reminded me of the wall between Palestine and Israel. On one side you've got a group of people who aren't allowed to vote and are born without access to clean water and on the other side you have a group of people with great jobs and great money. In my opinion, we're all human beings.
“I'd really like it if I could make a positive change to that situation; if I could do that then my life would be complete, it would have purpose, and all the hard work and sacrifice I've put towards being a champion and a role model would not have been in vain.”
What do you think of the lightweight division at the moment? It's arguably one of the deepest divisions in the UFC and MMA too.
“I've definitely been impressed with (Myles) Jury. You know, he beat me and I got caught with one punch but that's just the way this sport goes. He's a rising star but I really feel that fight could have been mine. But I'm not going to bitch and moan and ask for a rematch. He beat me and that's the bottom line.
“Him and Michael Johnson are both doing very well and I think those are the next generation of 155lb fighters and I feel as if I'm right with those guys. I know I can beat anyone in the division on any given day. I feel like I could go out and beat Anthony Pettis, I could definitely out-grapple him if I wanted to.
“He's a great fighter with great striking but I'm bigger than him and I'm stronger than him. So if I get hold of him I can beat him.”
Need 2 Know
Ethnicity: Palestinian-American
Age: 26
Pro Debut: 2008
Record: 9-4
Team: PIT ELEVATED FIGHT TEAM
Division: LIGHTWEIGHT
Height: Five-foot-eleven
Style: Wrestler
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