Issue 041

September 2008

“I know in my heart and in my mind that I have what it takes to beat (Georges) St Pierre, (Matt) Hughes, BJ (Penn); all those guys.”

Diego Sanchez, taking goal-setting to the Nth degree.  

“My parents came to see me. This is my dad’s first time to come to my gym. We went to a soba restaurant together and I updated them about my recent situation. I felt very relaxed talking with them about my punches and KO fights. He told me how amazing it is to win by KO again and again. On the way home, he said, ‘You shouldn’t be defeated on the ground either’. I have no excuse to lose, no matter what.”

Takanori Gomi

“Me and Lorenzo talk all the time. It’s Dana White, I can’t work with that guy. We’re like oil and vinegar.” 

Tito Ortiz, mangling the English language. 

“I remember sparring in karate as like a second-grader, like every Friday. Every Friday was sparring. I never tried any kicks, just haymakers. They moved me up to my brother’s class, my brother (Ryan) is two-and-a-half years older than me. Then the older kids started kicking me and it was harder to throw haymakers.”

Urijah Faber

“I went hunting. For bears. With a knife.”

Aleksander Emelianenko

“I don’t make that much money, so I don’t get to buy nice things. I can’t afford new fucking shoes. I can’t retire now if I wanted to. I gotta keep fighting. It’s my job. I take it very seriously. I’m very professional.”  

Nick Diaz