Issue 150

January 2017

When you started out, which fighters inspired you most?

I really liked watching Muhammad Ali perform. The way he boxed, his footwork – it’s what I try to do. I try not to stop in front of my opponent, moving a lot to find an angle to look to the knockout.

I admire him so much. Mike Tyson was a great fighter also, but his style was unique, something that worked only for him.

When did you realize you were a good boxer?

I began to feel comfortable when I entered the UFC. There I noticed that my main focus should be boxing because it was what I developed faster and where I felt better fighting.

I began to see the business more professionally after arriving in the UFC.

I had the chance to face Fabricio Werdum on my debut (UFC 90), and at that moment it as clear to me that boxing was my secret weapon to get to the top.

What strength and conditioning work do you do?

I do like to run, but I don’t do much swimming. I use the water to relax, so my conditioning is mostly built on running.

In terms of strength, I doubt I do much different from any other fighter. What I do know is that I train hard and do my best even though I’m tired or very worn out.

I continue training and give my maximum because I believe in it and I love to be who I am.

You have a jiu-jitsu black belt, so why do we rarely get to see you grapple?

I train a lot of jiu-jitsu, but my main weapon is boxing. I would rather knock people out. I like to see my opponent falling in front of me.

When it is necessary to show my jiu-jitsu I will use it. But as I love boxing, my first strategy is always to knock my opponents out. When somebody takes me down and holds me down people will get to see my jiu-jitsu.

I can finish fights there.

What part of your game have you improved most?

I’ve really evolved my wrestling over the last few years and I’m very proud of the level I am at now. It’s a real way to get both defense and attacks too.

With wrestling, you’re always able to place yourself in an advantage during the fight. That’s why the American fighters have so much advantage.

Cain Velasquez is excellent, takes his opponents down, and stays on top, hitting the ground ‘n’ pound using that wrestling base, which is so strong.

What training advice have you got for any young fighters?

Life is about learning. Each day I learn something new and you have to continue learning because you’ll never know enough to say you no longer need to.

I need to evolve in boxing, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, Muay Thai and even in MMA. That, and work hard. Nothing beats hard work.

Do you stick to a disciplined diet during training camp?

When I am in camp, we look at healthy foods with low salt amounts to show good conditioning.

We want a low body-fat tax with high body mass index. We have created new experiences with each camp.

We change it depending on what is better for me and the supplements that fit better for me.

I eat a lot of vitamins, protein and carbohydrates, which maintain my structure and body mass.

A healthy diet elevates my conditioning.

BIG SHOT

Nobody in UFC heavyweight history has landed as many significant strikes as JDS, whose 887 in 15 Octagon fights have also produced a record 12 knockdowns.