Issue 115
June 2014
UFC welterweight standout ‘The Chosen One’ on fighting Hall of Famer Matt Hughes and why wrestlers are so successful in MMA.
You were the 11th of 13 brothers and sisters brought up in a small Missouri city. How has that shaped your life?
“Growing up in a household that big meant we weren’t eating freakin’ caviar and steaks every night. But the quality of life and family support, the way we stuck together, made me the person I am today. I learned the life lesson that a strong family and support system are vital, and my mum and siblings have continued to support me in everything I do.”
How influential was your mom growing up?
“My mom, through her sacrifices, showed me how to work hard and not let finances dictate or come in the way of having a great relationship with family. She taught me to be mentally tough and to get things done. That was probably the biggest part; that and the spiritual side, having faith in God. She led by example.”
You were a standout wrestler and football player in high school. Why did you choose wrestling at college?
“I don’t believe I chose wrestling, I think it chose me. I was a rough kid growing up so I had no problem getting right in there and getting after it. So it was mostly that, and the fact my high school football coaches thought I was small. I always saw myself playing football in college and going to play in the NFL. I never saw myself wrestling in college. Football didn’t work out so I thought, ‘OK, I guess I’ll wrestle.’”
You’ve stated in the past you got into MMA because you’d watched so many wrestlers doing well in the sport. Anyone in particular?
“I tell Rashad Evans, because people tell us we look alike, that he is my brother from another mother. I remember watching him in the TUF 2 final against Brad Imes. Those guys really piqued my interest and then I saw the direction the sport was headed.
“I saw all these wrestlers being able to dictate whether the fight took place standing up or on the ground. That mentality of working hard and drilling hard, pushing yourself, wrestlers are wired differently. A lot of African American athletes get the stigma of just being athletic and not being hard workers, just being genetically gifted. Rashad was one of those guys who proved he had both the hard work and natural abilities.”
If you could fight anyone in any weight class who would you choose to fight and why?
“I would like to fight the best in my weight class ever, somebody I’ve been a huge fan of over the years – Matt Hughes. He is one of the greatest champions in the history of our sport. If you want to be the best in the world you have to beat the best. He didn’t just take guys down and lay on them, he knocked people out, he cut people wide open and he submitted them.”
What’s the most memorable moment from any training session you’ve been involved in?
“I remember going out to AKA to train with (Josh) Koscheck, (Jon) Fitch and (Mike) Swick before my first Strikeforce fight. I just saw how hard Cain (Velasquez) was working. I thought, ‘God, I have never seen a heavyweight like him.’ I saw him kick and punch and I was like, ‘Dude, don’t ever kick me!’ I knew then he was going to be a world champ.”
Who are your favorite fighters to watch?
“Everybody likes watching Jon Jones, because he has managed to eliminate the hesitation. That is a big thing for fighters to be able to just go out there and react. The way he goes into a fight, he is able to go out there and just ‘do’ and not think or over-think. And I like watching that Michael McDonald kid. He is vicious. He’s tough, I don’t even think he realizes how good he is yet.”
