I don't train like a mixed martial artist. I don't respect the sport like everyone else does.Collection: Respect
I have a lot of anger built up in me from my childhood. My wife and kids are the only ones who give me peace in this world.Collection: Anger
Everyone else is a mixed martial artist. I'm not a mixed martial artist, I'm a brawler.
If I'm the champion, the whole UFC division should be ashamed of themselves for a guy that had no damn skills being the champion. They should all just go relocate somewhere.
I throw so hard because I sit and wait for that perfect moment.
It's like I say all the time, it's the heavyweight division. It doesn't matter if the guys a black belt or if he's a world-class boxer. We still have a 50-50 chance.
This heavyweight division, it takes just one punch for anyone. It doesn't matter how hard you train or what.
I ain't trying to fight for no title.
In 2010, Strikeforce came to Houston, and DC was something like 5-0 or 6-0, and I'd seen him at the expo. I seen him walking around and I seen he had a pink cast on his hand, and I was like, this guy is way too fat... because he looked shorter and fatter. Because back then I was slim, I was like 235. So, I was like, man, I could take this guy.
Basically, I guess they just thinking I've been winning my fights just by luck. I just think I've been winning my fights on heart.
I think Cormier is gonna come out and try to wrestle me, try to get me tired, and try to push the pace. I know he might not say that I'm on his level but I think I am and he thinking that I'm not, really.
I know Cormier is a wrestler so you really got to get them hips down on him so I've been working them hips really good.
You've really got to stay ready 24/7. You really can't get ready because there's no telling. They'll call you short notice to fight anyone so you really have to stay ready.
There's nothing I really want to accomplish. I already set my family up pretty good right now.
I don't care if I ever fight for the belt or get the belt.
It's a job to me, basically. I'm not trying to be the best fighter in the world or nothing like that. I don't come in trying to think I am the best fighter. I don't care about none of that. It's just a job to me.
I set some goals for myself. I really want to run through this whole heavyweight division.
That's what really gets me going, thinking about my past. I think about all the tough times and bad times I've had in my life and I bring all that into the Octagon. That's only because it's hard going in there trying to fight someone who didn't do anything to you.
You've got to try to find some type of mental edge on your opponent.
That would be great if I could be a role model or inspiration to those who have been in my shoes before.
I'm an optimistic guy.
I've been having people doubt me all my life.
I've been through so much stuff that I hope even my enemies wouldn't have to go through.
It would be cool to let people know that it doesn't matter what kind of background you have in your past, that you can still make something out of your life.
I don't care what people think.
I used to only train 30 minutes a day.
I grew up watching my mom and my stepdad fight.
I don't care if I am ever remembered in this sport for anything.
If I was really trying to be the best fighter in the world, I would be in the best shape and taking it more serious but I'm not.
I made my third parole and I believe if I had made it the first time, I wouldn't be here today. I still would've been out there doing stupid stuff.
I've been in deep waters a bunch of times in my fights.
Since I was probably eight years old, just about everyday, all the way until I was 14 or 15 years old, just about everyday my mom and my stepdad would roll around in the living room fighting.
I speak my mind too much, and the UFC probably don't really like that. But I really don't care.
I know just about everything that really goes on with domestic violence.
As long as they pay me good, that's all I care about.
I'm just going to keep fighting, try to stay active as much as possible.
I don't want to fight once a year. I like fighting every other month.
You know, once you have the belt you want to be less active, fighting once a year.
I gotta work on my overall game.
The guys in the top five, they're good everywhere. Me, I'm just almost one-dimensional.
I believe the tough fights bring out the better fighter in myself.
I like to fight tough fights.
I don't know how to do takedowns.
All of my fights, especially all of my UFC fights my whole career, I've never been in there without any kind of impingement and pain wrong with my back.
I'll fight anyone.
The sport itself is dangerous. Anything can happen.
Travis Browne don't know what's he thinking. Travis, he's out there, man. That guy has been knocked out so many times, he's been rocked so many times, he don't know what to say.
Like a lot of people have said, it's not a bad loss to lose to Mark Hunt, so it's really like a learning lesson.
I always had dreamed one day Bruce Buffer's going to be introducing me... Derrick 'The Black Beast' Lewis... and I just always pictured him saying it.
George Foreman acts more like my grandfather. He and my grandfather act just alike - they're both Christian type guys. They try to help everyone.