Xtreme Couture fighter Jay Hieron is one of the most dynamic welterweights on the Strikeforce roster, and his look matches his fighting style: Cool, yet confident and with an edge.  

How would you describe your style?  

Kinda casual, kinda urban, kinda different. I come from New York, so East Coast-kinda style. If I like something, I’ll wear it, I don’t care what anybody thinks. I wouldn’t put a label on it. What I wear to the fights I’ll wear to the club. If it’s more of a special occasion I’ll throw a suit on, an event like an awards show or something, I’ll definitely throw on a suit.  

What kind of brands do you like?  

Affliction, they take care of me. Creative Recreation sneakers, I like their sneakers, I got a lot of their designs and like how they fit. Gucci, I their stuff like a lot. I could go to Urban Outfitters and get a $20 shirt and rock that to the club! So long as it fits me right, it doesn’t have to be the most exclusive shirt. I definitely like Louis Vuitton and Gucci belts. I have a taste for the expensive stuff too, but I don’t always have to wear it. I could throw on a T-shirt with some nice True Religion jeans and a Gucci belt and be fine.  

Do you prefer the baggier hip hop jeans or go for a slimmer fit?  

I don’t wear the real baggy jeans but I don’t wear real tight-fitting jeans either. Somewhere in the middle. I’m wearing Affliction right now, I like the color and the fit. True Religion are cool, Seven [7 For All Mankind] jeans – I like a certain kind of fit.  

So you like to combine off-the-shelf stuff with expensive items?  

I like the expensive belts, the accessories; I like jewelery a lot. I love my watches, I’m trying to get my collection up – I got a Breitling and a Gucci watch. I love sneakers too, Creative Rec’s, I got a bunch of them too, that’s my top sneaker right now.  

At home, do you have the big TV and all the gadgets? 

I’ve got a laptop – I’m on that thing non-stop – and I’ve got a flatscreen TV. Just the basic gadgets everybody has. I’m not big on video games, more into the computer, seeing what’s going on, keeping up with the times. I’ve got a PC; I don’t like the Mac – I was going to get one, but I got a better deal on the PC. I’m from New York man, I got to get the deals!  

You’re always wearing some cool pendants, do you have a favorite?  

My Affliction rosary chain. Every time I wear that I get a lot of compliments, that thing is sick. If you look close at it, it has crazy detail on it. 

Tell me about your cars; I know you like your cars.  

I love cars. I built a 76 Impala, not me myself, but I had 100% input on what I wanted going into it and how it would look. I bought it as scrap, painted it, re-did the engine, the interior, the suspension, the rims, everything. I also have a Range Rover – I made that look good. I love cars – they’re the worst investment, but I love ‘em!   

You spend a lot of time traveling. What’s the one thing you always take with you?  

My iPod, I listen to my music. Also my sleeping mask for the plane, especially if it’s a long flight – just basic needs. I overpack, I’m like a chick when I go away! It’s a bad habit.  

And you really like your watches. 

I love my watches. I’ve got a Breitling; I bought that right after beating Delson Heleno for the IFL title. I told myself, ‘If I win the belt I’m going to buy me a nice watch, because I can’t wear the belt around, so every time I wear my watch I know I won the belt.’ Right after the fight I went back to New York where I always get my watches and bought my Breitling.  

Jay Hieron spoke with Gary Alexander