“My heart outweighs all the talent. If they’ve got more talent, I believe that my heart will still overcome that. You’ve got to have heart to step inside the octagon anyway.”

I know I’m the least technical guy in the sport. Most of the champions or guys at the top are real martial artists.

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.

I grew up watching my mom and my stepdad fight.

I set some goals for myself. I really want to run through this whole heavyweight division.

I really don’t punch with my left hand anyways.

The only reason I want to climb up the rankings – beating the champion and beating guys in the top five – those are the guys that get the endorsements and get the most money and get paid the most. That’s the only reason why.

I’m serious, I don’t stay in the gym each day like my opponents.

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.

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 tell people all the time that it would be good if they forget about me next week, that they don’t even mention my name anymore.

You’ve got to try to find some type of mental edge on your opponent.

I throw so hard because I sit and wait for that perfect moment.

I just really want to put the past behind me, because it makes me angry thinking about it. But it’s also the reason I’ve made it this far in my career. It’s like, built up in me. It’s what I think about when I fight. My childhood.

You have 20 fights, you should know what it takes to get yourself ready. If you don’t feel like you’re ready, you let your coach know ‘hey we need to work on a little bit more of this.’

I believe I get the belt then I’ll get the money. I’m not trying to be the best fighter in the world. It’s all about the cheddar.

My goal is just to make as much money as I can in the sport, and that’s it.