Ultimate Blogger Stout: Statement time

People often ask me whether I get nervous or anxious before a fight and I always give them the same response. No, I don’t. I don’t have trouble sleeping and don’t go running into toilet cubicles to throw up moments before heading into the area either.

I am involved in this sport because I love it, not because I was forced to do it. The concept of fighting is something that comes naturally to me and I’m never scared of it.

I actually sleep like a baby the night before the fight and the following day is treated as being no different from any other day. This is my job. This is what I do.

Besides, it’s amazing what a tough weight cut will do for your desire to sleep. By the time I’ve made weight on Friday and refuelled, there will be no better feeling than getting my head down and falling asleep. Most of the time I’ll be out like a light in a matter of minutes.

I’ve been fighting since I was 15 years old now, so I have a lot of experience to fall back on. This is nothing new to me. I started out doing a lot of amateur and pro kickboxing, and I’ve now had 23 professional mixed martial arts fights. I have been in this position countless times before and I really feel at home in that Octagon now. Nothing fazes me.

This mindset allows me to relax and focus on the task in hand. That means I focus on defeating my opponent — in this case, Yves Edwards — and also become excited at the prospect of entertaining so many great fans, at home and in the arena.

I see mixed martial arts as a sport, but I also see it as an entertainment business. We are able to do what we do because of the fans and because of their interest in the sport. As a result, I’m always keen to repay them for that whenever possible. If that means going into the Octagon and putting on a war, time and time again, then so be it. That is the least I could do for those great fans.

I have a ton of appreciation for the fans of this sport and I’m always blown away by the reception they give me on fight night. When I walk into the arena and hear that incredible noise it only makes me want to fight that bit harder.

Winning is obviously important, but the feeling of having put on a great fight is just as satisfying. I always try to put on a show each and every time I step inside the Octagon. I get a real kick out of seeing the fans on their feet and screaming and cheering along with each exchange. There’s nothing I love more than the roar of the crowd.

The fans like to see two guys throwing strikes at one another and getting into dogfights — that’s the kind of guy I am and those are the kind of fights I thrive in. That’s my favourite way to fight. I’m always looking to bring the fight and become involved in a scrap. I’m not one of these guys that will sit back and wait for something to happen. I go into the Octagon to fight and entertain, and that’s all that matters to me.

The one thing I really pride myself on is my conditioning, and I know that I will be the fitter guy in every fight I take part in. That’s a great feeling to have before a fight and it’s something I feel very strongly about. I have completed the three-round distance many times in the past and I know how it feels to fight at a hectic pace. You will never see me struggling with the pace or looking for a way out. I am too experienced and too conditioned to be in that position.

I think you will see me even fitter and stronger this Saturday night, though, as I’m more motivated than I have been before in my UFC career. I know I’m going up against a great competitor in Yves, and that has pushed my training to new levels. I helped Mark Hominick get ready for Jose Aldo a few months back and have been in training ever since. As a result, I’ve trained harder and longer than ever before and have never felt this physically fit.

I’d like to go out there and fight Yves for a while and really put on a great show. I always like to go a few rounds, just so that the fans get their money’s worth. However, I’m also aware of the fact that I still haven’t secured a stoppage win in the UFC, and that is something that really frustrates me. It’s been beneficial for me to get so much experience over the three-round distance, but I would really like to make a statement on Saturday night and to do it in the form of a finish.

I really want to get a knockout or a submission in this fight…