Issue 154

May 2017

What’s the best piece of advice you have for young fighters?

Be careful who you spar with and always wear headgear. I wish I had worn mine more and here's why, I won't name names, but one day a few years ago, we got this foreign fighter into Jackson’s. I didn’t know who he was. We started going at it and I caught a spinning heel kick right to the head from this dude.

It almost took me off my feet. It rung my bell. It didn’t knock me out, I finished the round, but I was like, ‘Holy s**t!’

Did he surprise anyone else?

The next round, the dude goes with then fight heavyweight champion of the world and the dude hits him with a spinning kick to the body. It drops him. It ends him for the rest of the round.

The dude got our attention really quick. That was the last time he dropped either of us with kicks, but that was pretty impressive.

From that day, I would never spar with a guy until I'd watched him spar with someone else to see what the hell he does in there.

Who has the heaviest hands of anyone you’ve fought?

The hardest I've hit in competition was by Jake Ellenburger. He dropped me twice.

I don't know if it's because he hits harder than everybody else or what, but he had a lot of power and he just caught me clean a couple of times.

Who are your favorite fighters to watch?

It’s hard to choose just a few because I am such a huge fan of the sport. Off the top of my head, I’d say Cody Garbrandt. I love his dynamic striking and how he’s been putting it together.

I also like Matt Brown for his aggression and Rick Story. I really like his style and how he works the body. I love seeing body shots in MMA.