Issue 106
October 2013
The number-one contender for the UFC light heavyweight gold tells FO why he used to model himself on cartoon bad boy Bart Simpson
BEST OPPONENT YOU’VE FACED?
“I’d say it was ‘Shogun’ Rua at UFC on Fox in December. That guy can take a beating (laughs). He’s a tough, strong guy and he took me down a few times and tried for a few submissions. I mean, it’s Shogun; he’s a legend and has fought pretty much everyone you can think of and won titles everywhere. He was definitely my toughest opponent so far.”
BEST CAREER MOMENT?
“When I fought Thiago Silva in the main event of UFC on Fuel TV 2 in 2012, in my hometown of Stockholm, Sweden. I can’t explain the feeling I got fighting in the Ericsson Globe Arena. You have to experience it to fully understand the feeling.
“For me it was a dream come true. The whole thing was massive and probably the best experience I’ve ever had in my life. When I think back over all the wins I’ve had in my career so far that’s the first one that pops into my mind. It was a very special moment and one I’ll never forget.”
THE CARTOON CHARACTER YOU BEST RESEMBLE?
“That’s a tough one because there’s a lot of them, but I’d probably go with Bart Simpson. I modeled myself on Bart a little bit when I was younger. He’s an awesome kid who does whatever he wants to do and I’ve always liked that about him. I’m a big fan of The Simpsons.”
YOUR BEST PERSONALITY TRAIT?
“I’d probably say that my best personality trait is how nice of a person I am. I don’t judge anyone straight away. I’d like to get to know a person before I have any particular thoughts on them.”
BEST ADVICE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
“I’d tell myself to stay in school (laughs). I wasn’t much of a school person. I had to be active and move around a lot otherwise I’d get bored. I would definitely tell myself to, ‘Stay in school and listen to your mom.’”
YOUR BEST HOBBY?
“I would have to say hanging out with my family, my dogs and my friends is my best hobby. I really like to go out in the wild and fish and hunt. I also like to play video games to relax after training – I’m a pretty big gamer.”
YOUR BEST INSPIRATION?
“My biggest inspiration would probably be every champion in the UFC. I want to be the champion one day and I’m training very hard to get there. I’m looking forward to my chance against Jon Jones in September. I’d probably say Anderson Silva was my favorite champ in the UFC but obviously he lost the belt (to Chris Weidman, UFC 162).”
WHAT’S BEST, A KNOCKOUT OR A SUBMISSION?
“Submissions are good but as a boxer nothing can really beat a knockout. That’s just the most beautiful thing that can happen in a fight and it’s something I look for whenever I get the chance.”
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