Issue 100

April 2013

The world’s leading welterweight prospect tells FO about his days as a dishwasher and his skills as an artist both inside and outside the Octagon

Best thing nobody knows about you?

“I don’t know actually... I’m pretty well-rounded. One thing I do like to do is draw, like sketch and stuff. That’s kind of random, I guess. I don’t think I’ve told anyone that before.”

Best advice for a younger you?

“I believe I had a really good road and a really good mind-set all the way through, so I don’t think I would change anything. I committed to this path and stuck with it.”

Best memory of your first fight?

“The best memory is definitely choking the guy out. I won my fight (against Terry Thiara in October 2005), and I stopped him with a rear naked choke in just a couple of minutes.”

Best moment so far?

“The fight with BJ Penn was a pretty great moment. That was a great win and a really good moment for me. But that’s just the beginning, I believe my best days are ahead of me for sure.” 

What’s best, a KNOCKOUT OR A SUBMISSION? 

“That’s easy: knockout – every time.”

Best way to get pumped?

“I just warm up if I’m honest. I don’t really try to get all that pumped or hyped up. It just kind of happens naturally. I like to stay relaxed and focused rather than overly excited.”

Best job before fighting? 

“I was actually a dishwasher. I had some laboring jobs too, some carpentry things and construction, all that kind of stuff. I hated them all!”

Best guilty pleasure?

“I really love junk food. I eat a little bit almost every single day. I have to. But I just have to work it off in the gym.”

Best life lesson?  

“There’s not one, really. I think I just take all of my life experiences combined and use them to move forward. Every day is a lesson, it’s just up to me to learn from my experiences and improve.”