What have you been up to the fight with Matt Grice at UFC Fight Night 17?
I came back home. I’ve been lifting weights and taking it easy. I’m heading back to the gym on Monday.
I’m sure Matt Hughes will put it to you in the gym.
Yeah, he’s got a fight coming up with Matt Serra and they are hoping to put me on the card too. We can train and get after each other. I’ve got three fights left on my contract.
How did you wind up taking that fight on such short notice?
I got called nine days before it and they said they needed a fill-in. They told me it didn’t matter if you win or lose just go out there and put on a good performance.
Did Matt Hughes help you get your foot in the door?
No, actually it was Marc Fiore. It kind of happened on it’s own.
What did you think when they called you?
I was nervous I weighed 180 pounds. I had to lose 24 pounds and overweight. I only had 9 days to prepare. I was nervous but excited. I was confident but I wasn’t sure how hard I could go for three rounds because I wasn’t in good shape.
What did you think when Grice rocked you?
I thought get back and keep moving. Keep moving your hips and recover. I had to get to my feet.
Was you worried the ref would stop it?
Yes, when he was on top punching me. I was still moving but I was afraid the ref would step it. It was a great fight.
It was kind of like a Rocky movie. The momentum would go his way then it shifted my way then I came back and won in dramatic fashion.
Were you nervous walking to the octagon?
Yeah but I get a little nervous before every fight. Once the bell rings and you make contact with the guy all the nerves just go away.
How did you get into MMA?
What inspired me was when I was wrestling in college Matt was first getting in the sport and he was a good wrestler and he was dominating MMA so I thought I could do it. After college I was recovering from a back injury so I took a year or two off then I started competing again because I wanted to see how far it could take me.
How did you wind up with the HIT squad?
I originally trained here in Springfield, Illinois at Warrior Concepts. When Matt fought GSP the last time he needed a training partner to come to Hillsboro and I got a call from Marc Fiore and they were going to open a gym and they could put me on full time. I said heck yeah!
Where you nervous the first time you rolled with Matt?
Yeah, he kicked my butt on the grounds. On takedowns and wrestling we were pretty even. But on submissions and on the ground he is on a different level than me. He still kicks my butt and I can defend myself on the ground but for the most part he kicks my butt.
How do you see the Serra-Hughes fight shaking out?
Well if Matt trains hard he’ll win the fight for sure. He’s working out right now and I know he’s motivated. He told me it’s easy to train for because he really want to win.
Do you think it’ll be his last fight?
I don’t know. It’s what it is looking like. It could be. He’s not sure.
Is there any other guys in the HIT squad you see making waves in the UFC?
Amir Khillah, Kyle Watson, CJ Fernandez. the sky is limit for them. Clay French would probably be in there but he only has one eye and he can’t get past the commission. He has to go to Japan to fight.
Jeremiah Riggs, he’s a tough guy. He’ll fight anybody. He’s kind of a street fighter. He needs to up his wrestling and ground game a little but and he’ll be ok.
What about Robbie Lawler?
Yeah, I heard he’s going over to Strikeforce and should fight for them in a couple months probably.
Anything else you want to say to the fans?
I love the fans without them we wouldn’t be doing this sport.
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