Issue 151

February 2017

You went from UFC Gym employee to UFC fighter, how did that happen?

I’ve taught wrestling and boxing since I was a teenager. Teaching at the UFC Gym was a blessing. I needed a job. I worked hard construction jobs, doing hard labor. I was living to work. I couldn’t do that anymore. I quit all that and followed what I wanted in life and it’s all been working out ever since.

There have been ups and downs and some crazy moments but I’m sticking with God and following the plan. It makes me happy. I’ve been fighting since I was 15. I always said I was going to make it and fight at the highest level. I’ve been saying it since I was 11 and there was never a doubt in my mind.

When did you first have designs on being in the UFC?

I think it was ninth grade in English class. The teacher told us to write down what we wanted to do when we got older. I said I wanted to be the champion of the world in MMA. Somebody in front of the class said, ‘Yeah and get yourself knocked out’ and I was like, ‘By who? Who’s going to do it? Not you!’ I was going to fight him right there.

I never got kicked out of school for fighting because I always fought after school. I fought on the soccer field after school or in the bathroom between classes. We used to have a little get together. School was fun, man.

How did it feel to get your hand raised for your UFC debut?

It was definitely a dream come true. I don’t know how I can describe that. It was very exciting but I knew I was going to go in there and do that. As soon as I did it, I knew I had to get ready to do it again. You can’t get content right there.

Things are coming true and all that but as soon as I left the Octagon that night I walked out past the crowd and went to the back. It was over. My time is over. The crowd forgot about me. They are looking at the next fight. They don’t even remember. They enjoyed the fight and now it’s time to do it again.

Did that give you hunger to work harder and return quickly?

It’s why a lot of us keep doing it. You can’t beat that moment. You’re in there. You’re putting on a show. You’re showing the world what you can do. Everything you worked hard for pays off. As soon as that fight is over and I walk to the back I start mentally healing my body. I’m already preparing to go again.

Are you ready for the pressure of becoming a major attraction in the UFC?

If I look back at all my early pro fights in the smaller organizations now, I smile. We use those happy times to keep us motivated. I worked hard for those fights back then, whether they were UFC fights or not. I’m in the UFC now and I’m working hard for these fights, too. I’m doing everything the same. I’m living. I’m working out and life couldn’t be better.