My first MMA fight was July 2006 here in Brazil. I won a few fights here in Brazil, and then I got a chance to fight in the UFC, but they put me against the number one contender for the title at that time. It was Fabricio Werdum.
I see the takedowns; I see the opportunities to take people down or even try to submit them or something like that. But man, I prefer to stay on my feet. That way I'm confident.
I really believe if I put my mind in the right place, if I train very hard, if I have good support by my side, I can be the champion again and stay there for a long time.
I really believe in my hands and my power to knock people out, and I will try to keep looking for that, for knockouts.
If you say an athlete doesn't need supplementation, that he can get everything through food, you're wrong.
I've always done my best inside the Octagon, fought the best there is, and win or lose, I've done my best in my fights.
I'm not worried about trying to guarantee a fight for the belt, because that's automatic; it will happen.
This thing where Daniel Cormier wants to fight Brock Lesnar; I know he wants to make money, but it doesn't make any sense. The only one who wants to see that fight or make that fight is him. Nobody else wants to see that.
Wladimir, the Klitschkos, they're amazing. I like to watch them fight, especially Wladimir, but it's kind of boring. They are really good at what they do, but they are very careful.
When I had long hair, I used to tie it back, so the guys would say I would look like the 'Gypsy.' I used to hate that, but the less you like a nickname, the more it sticks.
I say it all the time: it's different when two heavyweights, especially when they are the size of Ben Rothwell, face each other in the Octagon. Even the leather - right in the back seat of the arena, they will be able to hear the sounds of the punches.
Fedor is the greatest, no doubt. For me, in a matter of admiration, he is the greatest of all time. He is a heavyweight who beat everybody. He certainly was 'The Baddest Man on the Planet.'
I don't like to use - I never use - any kind of drugs to help me in my fights. I don't like that. I don't like drugs.
Jon Jones is amazing; he's so confident. He uses his elbows very well, and I think he's a great talent.
The heavyweight division is always very intriguing. These are the heavy hitters, you know? Every time when you do a mistake, it's the end of the fight. So you have to be careful all the time, and this is what makes this division so intriguing, so exciting for the fans.