For those who don't know you, what made you start MMA — was there a defining moment that pulled you in?
I just felt like boxing for me, I have proved myself and fighting boxing really doesn’t push me anymore, and I always hated being in a “comfort zone”. So that is why I set sail to conquer another sport which is more hard and challenging. That’s why I chose MMA.
What's one thing MMA has taught you that goes beyond the sport — about yourself, discipline, or life?
It taught me to be fearless in life yet humble too. In meaning that facing another man and trying to destroy each other, that itself is already such a scary thing. But if I could do that, why would I be afraid of anything else in life? Like a job or leaving a relationship. Yet it teaches me to be humble too because we could never know how good someone is just by looks. Same in life, don’t judge by the cover.
Going into this fight, what was your mental state like in the final days of prep? What kept you grounded?
I felt very calm and relaxed because I know everything I have been doing has prepared me for this moment, which it did happen. I survived without getting choked or bruised. Literally, the training and prep was perfect, yet I still want more.
Take us through the fight — what was the moment that tested you the most, and how did you respond?
Through the fight, the real test was my defense, which held up. Again, I was more and more confident on the ground guarding, even though my strongest suit is striking. I just adapted, reacted and defended.
Nothing shocked me except how good my defense was.
How has Therapin been part of your training and recovery — before the fight and now coming out of it?
Therapin has helped me train to increase my lung capacity throughout the explosive sprints and drills, and even in my recovery, of course. I sleep so much better with the mouth tape. I feel like I can push myself more and to greater heights with Therapin.
For fighters or active people who push their bodies hard, what would you tell them about the role recovery plays in performance?
Recovery is number one.
You can spar 12 rounds, eat good, but if you sleep like 4 hours a night and just train 3 times a day with no rest a week, you wouldn’t be able to grow. Knowing when to push and rest is what makes or breaks a fighter.