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Interview:
Jose Aldo will fight Frankie Edgar in February, while the fighter you wanted to face Cub Swanson is now fighting Denis Siver. How do you feel about this “merry go round”?
The thing about title shots is that all the stars have to line up. You have to be lucky like Erik Koch or Frankie Edgar. Just having the credentials isn’t everything. Personally, I want to fight the winner of that title match. But the winner may get injured. If that’s not a possibility I would like to fight the winner of Swanson vs Siver. I feel if I win that fight I will be guaranteed a title shot. All those guys are contenders and timing wise it would be perfect for my comeback.
Cub Swanson had called you out before.
I really wanted to fight him but he can’t wait forever for me. Actually, I was planning on replying back to his call out. I also enjoy provoking fighters. But it was meaningless to do that in a situation where I wouldn’t be able to fight him anyway.
Who do you think will win the fight between Aldo and Edgar?
I believe Jose Aldo will win. I think he will be stronger as a FW. Personally I want Aldo to win. He was the strongest fighter when I was fighting in the WEC. I want to beat Aldo more than I want to beat Edgar.
In South Korea there has been a lot of ROAD FC shows and of course internationally UFC shows, how do you feel about being just a spectator?
I seriously felt like I would go crazy. Especially, when I get in the cage or ring. I get really fired up. I was even thinking recently how awesome it would have been if I could have fought on the UFC Macau card. But I am containing myself. I like to think this whole ordeal is another type of training. If I rush things I know I will just get hurt again. Those kinds of thoughts are helping me get through this.
So how many times do you want to fight this year?
I think 3 fights will be difficult, but hopefully at least 2 fights in July and December.
Would you prefer a main event slot on an Asia card or be on the main card on a big American card?
It really depends on a lot of factors. If the two options were either that I can fight in Asia but it is not a title fight or I can fight in America and it is a title fight, of course I would fight in America. But really I love being in the main event because they are 5 round fights. I don’t know what others may think but I believe there is no one who is stronger than me mentally in a state of fatigue. I almost feel like 3 rounds are too short.
You seem like you are confident no matter who the opponent is. Is this one of your secrets to success?
If you are an athlete you have to think like this. I am not looking down on anyone but I feel I gained a lot of confidence from fighting and winning against some of the strongest fighters in the biggest stage in the world. I never felt this before but now I feel like I am “bigger” than my opponent. Because of those experiences, I believe I can really display my skills. Also I think a lot about what I gain from winning. I have always done this but I am really looking to seize every opportunity given to me.
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*All credits to Hufusopem