Issue 103

July 2013

From easy-going dad to fight-loving anime fan, there’s most certainly more than meets the eye when it comes to the UFC’s number-one welterweight contender

BEST CAREER MOMENT?

“For me, I haven’t had one yet. The reason why is because I don’t want to have one until I’ve retired from the sport, I don’t want to look back on the past. I was the same way with wrestling. Whenever someone asked me, ‘Johny what was your most memorable moment in wrestling?’ Now I could tell you, but at the time I didn’t have one. I don’t want to have one because if you keep looking back on that moment and remembering it, it becomes hard to look forward.”

BEST OPPONENT?

“Realistically, it’s between Mike Pierce, TJ Grant and Josh Koscheck. Those three were great opponents. For example, TJ Grant hit me with a knee in the first round of our fight that broke my nose, plus it was a really fun fight. Mike Pierce was also a really fun fight; he was really good at everything and is a strong welterweight. That’s what I enjoy more than anything, just being in there for the whole 15 minutes.”

BEST PERSONAL TRAIT?

“I’d say that I’m pretty easy going. I try to ruffle no feathers (laughs). If something happens I’ll be the first one to walk away. If someone is walking down the street and they look like they want to bump into you or something I’ll move out the way and say, ‘Excuse me,’ before it even happens. I like no confrontations whatsoever and if I could go through life like that, that would be awesome.”

BEST ADVICE FOR A YOUNGER YOU?

“Probably one of the most important things I could tell a younger version of myself is to not get complacent. Don’t look past anything and don’t be satisfied with where you’re at, always try to strive for more.”

BEST HOBBY?

“I love being outdoors, there’s nothing better. I just bought my daughter a bow, arrow and a target. I’d say being outdoors and being with my family. Family is the most important thing in my life and I don’t get that much time when I’m actually training to spend time with them, I spend all my energy on that. So when I’m in my off-season, there’s nothing better than spending time with them.”

BEST INSPIRATION?

“My daughters and my wife. I wouldn’t be where I’m at if it wasn’t for them. I mean my coaches play a huge part in it, but having the support of my wife and kids at home, that kind of inspiration makes it worth doing what I do as I know my wife and kids are going to be there supporting me 100%. That’s a huge part of my success.”

BEST CARTOON CHARACTER RESEMBLANCE?

“I’m a huge fan of anime, especially this show called Bleach. There’s this character called Kenpachi. Every time I watched him, he enjoyed the fight. It didn’t matter what was going on he just wanted to enjoy the fight. So I was sitting there and I’m talking to my buddy and I’m like ‘Dude, that’s so much like me.’ I love being out there.”