Issue 116

July 2014

Former UFC heavyweight champion ‘Colossus’ explains why he’ll only ever argue with you once.

BEST CAREER MOMENT? 

“When I knocked Cain Velasquez out in the first round and got the heavyweight belt (UFC on Fox 1, November 2011). It was an amazing moment, the feeling I had at the time was amazing. Another unbelievable moment in my career would be my UFC debut against Fabricio Werdum (UFC 90, October 2008) where I won by knockout in 81 seconds.”

BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PERSONALITY?

“I don’t like problems so I like to think I am a nice guy. I am only going to argue one time and if they don’t accept then I’m not going to talk with them anymore (laughs).”

BEST THING A FAN HAS EVER SAID TO YOU?

“The best thing is when kids come and say to me, ‘I want to be like you, I really love you.’ It’s really amazing to me, I like to hug them and tell them to respect their parents. I try to be a role model for the teenagers; it’s really special to me.”

BEST ADVICE TO A YOUNGER YOU?

“I think everything I have done has been a good choice (laughs), so I would say just to keep going and be who you are. I am a happy guy, it doesn’t matter what happens in my career or my life, I think God is really good with me and gave me amazing things.”

WHAT FEELS BEST, A KNOCKOUT OR SUBMISSION? 

“I’d say knockout for sure as it’s a different ‘show,’ people like to see someone going down and sleeping (laughs). I know the UFC gives ‘Performance of the Night’ bonuses instead of ‘Knockout of the Night’ and ‘Submission of the Night’, but I think it should give one for best performance and keep ‘Fight of the Night,’ best KO and best submission.”

BEST OPPONENT?

“Cain Velasquez, for sure. I admire him. He is a nice guy who works hard every day and has a great chin (laughs). Plus he comes to all of his fights very well prepared. He’s definitely my best opponent.”

BEST CARTOON CHARACTER RESEMBLANCE?

“That’s pretty hard (laughs). I was told once I’m like that guy from the X-Men, I forgot his name – that guy who becomes metal and iron. It was the Colossus! I like that guy, so him.”

WHO’S THE BEST FIGHTER EVER?

“We have a lot (in MMA). I really like Fedor Emelianenko; he’s one of the best heavyweights ever. And Anderson Silva is for sure one of the greatest.”

BEST WAY TO RELAX?

“I like to be at home with my family, just sitting around talking with them or watching a movie, eating popcorn.”