Issue 151

February 2017

Fighters have a finite time in this sport. I didn’t want to be that guy that when I was done fighting, ask, ‘What do I do now?’ I want to be done fighting when I’m done having fun. I don’t want to say, ‘Oh, I need to find a paycheck.’

So I’ve got a few business ventures while I’m still competing that I hope will keep paying long after I’m done fighting.

Power MMA, which I run and own along with CB Dollaway, Aaron Simpson and the rest of the crew, is obviously a big part of that. It’s not just a facility where we can all train together, it’s also a business. We teach every level of student.

But it’s not always a bed of roses. It can be hard work. Long hours, late nights.

When I’m not in fight camp there’s plenty to keep me occupied already. Every day is something new.

About a year ago, I was in there and just kind of walking by a dad and his son messing around in the cage – where we roll around, where our faces are on the mat, the whole deal.

All of a sudden, I see poop coming out of the kid’s shorts, all over the cage. The dad is frantic. He’s trying to figure out what to do – and I’m trying to pretend I’ve not noticed. He goes and gets a paper towel and just smears it around as much as he can. He gets all flustered and just leaves with the kid.

Now I’m the only one left in the gym, so I have to get paper towels and spray and I’m in there soaking up the poop that this kid left.

I think it was Aaron that walked in a few minutes later – and I’m on there on my hands and knees – and he asks what I was doing. ‘Oh, you know, just cleaning up this poop here.’

That’s all part of being a gym owner I guess. That was a bad day. But you take days like that because most other days are great. There are so many great stories from the gym.

Sweetest victory

In regards to moments inside the Octagon, for me, one fight and victory stands out above the rest. Don’t get me wrong, all of the fights where you have a knockout or stoppage are good. But the night I fought ‘Rampage’ in Tokyo, Japan, was special. Fighting Rampage in his home away from home, it was incredible.

I’ve had big fights before and since, but this was one of those fights that was like, ‘Man, I grew up watching this guy fight.’ Just standing across the Octagon from him was pretty surreal let alone going out there and beating him. It was a great feeling.

He is a recognizable guy and I was a big underdog.

Nobody gave me a chance to beat him. That was one of my favorite fights and moments in MMA. It was in a cool, unique place. I had my cornermen and friends there, fighting a guy like Rampage, with my back against the wall and I went out there and beat him.

Early days

Back in the day CB, Cain Velasquez and I all fought on the same card in Mexico, in a bullfighting ring. Cain’s opponent pulled out because he saw him kicking pads.

This luchador then comes forward and says he would fight him, but then he goes back stage, also sees Cain kick pads, and says, ‘Hell no. That’s not happening.’ Those moments are the ones that stay with you.