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Ahead of his WSOF lightweight title defense Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje opens up about his entry into MMA, thoughts on his opponent, and whether or not to remain with the WSOF promotion.

At 15-0, World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin Gaethje opens up about his serendipitous entry into MMA and about his upcoming title fight against tournament winner Brian Foster.

Eddie Mercado: You are the World Series of Fighting lightweight champion. Why MMA?

Justin Gaethje: I’m not sure. I started wrestling at 4 years old. It was never a dream of mine but I knew I always wanted to compete in something. When I was wrestling in college I took 7 amateur fights without ever being in a street fight, without sparring, without even training MMA. I won those and then decided to find a gym and turn pro and haven’t lost yet. Now I’m making good money and I love it!

EM: It sounds like MMA happened to you.

JG: Pretty much. I’ve put the hard work in though and have learned many lessons. I’m undefeated as a fighter but I’ve lost in wrestling matches. I lost matches I should have won and won matches I should have lost. I learned a bunch about weight cutting and the importance of a certain mindset from wrestling so I’ve been getting ready for this my whole life. I have a twin brother that I’ve been wrestling with since birth so it’s in my blood and I feel like it’s the path I’m supposed to be on.

EM: Does your twin brother fight or train?

JG: Nope, he lives in the small town we are from and works in the copper mine.

EM: Is the copper mine where you would have gone if not for MMA?

JG: I would have gone the social worker route. I have a degree in Human Services and my goal was to work with at risk youth.

EM: You were a Div I All American wrestler in college; however, your fighting style does not exactly reflect those credentials. Why do you choose to knuck with everybody?

JG: I use my wrestling in reverse to just keep the fight right where I want it. So far, I feel like I’ve had the advantage on the feet in every fight. Wrestling is grueling and blows through the human energy levels. I have to fight for 25 minutes and I don’t do anything at half speed. I could be 15-0 with all decision wins but I would not be on this stage or getting paid what I am right now. I don’t want to have to tell people how good I am; I want to show them. I train for 25 minutes but don’t want to fight for 25 minutes.

EM: With your fighting style comes the cost of getting hit and taking damage. Do you ever worry about the long-term ramifications and consequences associated with sustaining head trauma?

JG: I don’t. I really hope I don’t have to do this for very long but I want to fight the best. Plain and simple, this is fighting. If you’re fighting at this level then you’re going to get hit. I try not to get hit while being at the end of their punches. I try to take it on the forehead and meet them half way to cut off the power. If you are going to get hit then that’s the way to do it.

EM: What are your long-term MMA goals?

JG: I want to fight the best fighters in the world but I don’t lose sight of the fact that six years ago I had no dream and no clue that I would be here. I’m just grateful for where I’m at and can’t deny that it’s a little bit of luck that got me here. One punch here one punch there; when you’re successful you got to contribute it to a bit of luck.

EM: You’re already the WSOF lightweight champion. What else is there to accomplish inside of that promotion?

JG: I don’t think I’ll jump around weight classes or anything. I have a job to do and that is to prove I’m the best 155er on the planet. I love the WSOF and have three fights left on my contract. After those fights, I want to go out there and see what I’m worth.  Miesha Tate just got 46k to show and 46k to win; I’m getting paid 60k to show and 60k to win in my next fight and will be at 80/80 by then end of my contract. I owe it to myself to not sell myself short by taking a pay cut just to go to another organization.

EM: If you do go to the UFC or Bellator where do you see yourself as far as the top 10?

JG: With the amount of money I want to get paid, they will have no choice but to throw me to the wolves and I’m definitely ok with that.

EM: Is there a particular fight you look forward to?

JG: Out of respect, I would like to fight Eddie Alvarez, Diego Sanchez, and Jim Miller. Those guys are so good and are great fights for me. Of course I want a shot at the champion Rafael dos Anjos but when I get over there I want the guys at the top.

EM: Right now on your plate is the lightweight tournament winner Brian Foster. What are your thoughts on him and his tournament performance?

JG: I feel like he deserves the title shot and is the most worthy. He has fought some of the best fighters in the world and beat some of those guys so he’s the man. He’s aggressive and has a mean right hand. I’ve been waiting for someone to match my tenacity and Foster is that guy. He did get submitted in the first round but came back to knock out that same guy later in the tourney. What better redemption?

EM: Do you have a specific strategy to beat Brian Foster?

JG: Nope, I focus on myself and my skills. With Trevor Whittman at Grudge Training Center we’ve been working a lot of footwork and head movement.

EM: Have you ever considered hiring a movement coach like Conor McGregor?

JG: No, I think that’s stupid. It’s basically self awareness. I can’t see without my glasses anyway so all I do is feel.

EM: What has your diet been like for this fight?

JG: A lot of sushi and a lot of steak!

EM: How much weight are you cutting for this?

JG: About 10 pounds since I’ve learned my lesson about cutting weight. I was an All American at 157 for my junior year and then for my senior year got into the mindset that I could cut down to 149 and be bigger, faster, and stronger. I beat this kid 20-3 before the intense cut and then the next time I faced the same kid I lost 7-2 due to cutting too much weight. So not cutting too much is the way to do it.

EM: Do you have a prediction for this fight?

JG: No, I don’t like to predict. I’m going to push the pace and deliver big punches. I’m going to finish him and that’s all I know.

EM: With a win over Brian Foster, what would be next?

JG: Maybe Jason High after his impressive KO win in his debut.

EM: With a loss, what would be next?

JG: Brian Foster again for sure.

EM: I saw you do a back flip off of the cage; exactly what is wrong with you?

JG: I’ve been doing it my whole life man. My mom used to get so pissed at me because I would be doing it off of everything. One time I did it at a bake sale for this church and the counter broke as I jumped which caused me to land right on my head. Needless to say they weren’t too happy.

Check out the World Series of Fighting 29 on MSNBC on March 12, 2016 to see if Justin Gaethje can defend his lightweight title against tournament winner Brian Foster.

How easily can Jon Jones get under people’s skin?

According to one of Daniel Cormier’s training partners, Chi Lewis-Parry, “Bones” has a knack to do just that, even if he just met you. As the heavyweight kickboxer recently admitted on The MMA Hour, he previously didn’t have any opinion of Jon, but after having two separate run-ins with him last Friday (March 4, 2015) in Las Vegas, he quickly came to the conclusion that “Bones” isn’t who he appears to be on camera.

As Parry — who competes under the ONE banner (6-0) as well as GLORY (2-1) — so eloquently puts it, Jones became the “biggest dick on the planet,” as the former light heavyweight champion of the world started trash talking him for no reason.

“We were at the studios filming with Joe Rogan filming that ‘Face Off’ thing. And Jones, like I said, I have no opinion of the guy, obviously you have to respect his accomplishments. Well, they are doing their interview and Jon seems very professional. Again, I had no opinion, that didn’t change it, and they finished the interview. As soon as we step outside, the guy turns into the biggest dick on the planet. Can I use profanity? He is a big, fat chubby dick. That guy is an absolute knob. Where I come from you wouldn’t give him the time of day. Now my opinion of him is zero respect for the guy. He starts smack talking and using stuff that I wouldn’t repeat to Daniel. We kind of laughed it off, and we were just about to get into the car and leave, and he made it personal by saying ‘Get in the car you big bitch.’ So, there is no reason for me to interact with him, you’re fighting Daniel, not me. So he is standing there with his hands in his pocket like he is God’s gift. So I told him, ‘Look, if you really want to get around the security guards, you can.’ But, he stood behind this 600-pound security guard who couldn’t catch a tennis ball if you threw it at him. So that was the first interaction I had with him.”

An hour later is when things really got heated backstage at the “Unstoppable” press conference. This time, though, it was a family affair, as he revealed that Jones had backup in the form of his brother, who happens to be a pro football player in the NFL.

“A little over an hour later, we are backstage at the press conference and he sends his big, fat, chubby brother Anastasia Jones, or whatever his name is, and he wants to start talking smack, defending Jon. Jones it seemed like he was hiding behind him. I don’t care how tough he thinks he is, he was hiding behind his brother. His brother was calling me all sorts while he was backing up. I’m not a big fan of disrespect. I never disrespected them, but they quickly became fans of me.”

Parry — who only recently started training with Cormier — stands at 6’9 and weighs 245 pounds and says Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) or not, he is willing to fight Jon if he decides to move up a weight class. Plus, he has no problems taking on his “fat sister,” either.

Furthermore, Chi — who is also a talented basketball player who tried out for the Los Angeles Lakers — says the third confrontation between him and Jon will be nothing more than “Bones” running into his massive fists.

You’ve been warned.

Jones and Cormier are set to collide once again for the 205-pound title at UFC 197 on April 23, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Erick Silva wrote a lengthy message on Instagram talking about his fake glove touch and punch against Nordine Taleb at UFC 196. Plus, he asks people not to judge him.

Erick Silva is not the most loved UFC fighter after the stunt he pulled against Nordine Taleb at UFC 196.

In the opening round, Silva faked a glove touch in the middle of action and tried to sneak in a punch in Taleb’s face right after. Needless to say, fans did not appreciate it.

When Silva got knocked out cold in the following round, many saw it as karma quickly catching up to him. Now, Erick took to Instagram to talk about the fight and admit that he did was unethical.

. People don’t know anything about me, but still judge me ‘ people do mistakes, they all do, I, you, he, or they, we all make mistakes and we must first recognize the errors rationally and not do it again. I admit that in the heat of battle I let my emotional Act and ended up doing something not worthy of the martial art, at the time I confess I went through unnoticed, more analyzing the video I’m not saying I was disloyal, or cheater, because there is nothing in the rule that saya it can’t do that. More like a martial artist I was anti ethical, Also does not say that the defeat was karma or deserved so it was by exactly merits of a perfect punch from my opponent who applied very well, and trained to get me that way. On the other hand I’m happy. Glad to have done a great Camp, was physically very well prepared and happy with all my change in the recent months, didn’t come out with the result that I wanted. I have the consciousness that I did everything in my training the right way. I want to thanks for all who cheer for me regardless of the result, and even who’s no fan of heart. I would also like to thank in particular to my @kings_mma @jacobharman @danielmendes84 @aojacademy trainers throughout your patience. I’m not going to stop being who I am and who I’ve always been because this minority judging me today, anyone who knows me knows my values and those that are the most important. And now is to raise my head and keep training to come back stronger, and not make the same mistakes. Big hug to everyone and stay with God bless all #LoveTheProcess

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“People don’t know anything about me, but still judge me. People make mistakes, they all do. And we must first recognize them rationally to not do it again. I admit that in the heat of battle, I let my emotional side act and ended up doing something not worthy of martial arts.  I’m not saying I was disloyal or a cheater, because there is nothing the rules that says I can’t do that. I was more like unethical, as a martial artist.”

“Also, I don’t say the defeat was karma or deserved. It’s the merit of a perfect punch from my opponent, who threw it very well and trained for that. On the other hand, I’m happy. I’m glad I got a great training camp. Phisically, I was very well prepared. I didn’t come out with the result I wanted, but I know I did everything the right way. I’m not going to stop being who I am because a minority of people judges me. Now it’s time to raise my head and come back stronger.”

Before the loss to Nordine Taleb, Erick Silva was also defeated by Neil Magny at UFC 190, both losses brought his UFC record to an even 6-6.

09 March 2016 – Manila, Philippines: The largest sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship (ONE), has announced nine bouts for ONE: GLOBAL RIVALS which takes place 15 April at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. Fans in the Philippines will witness all the action live as ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben “Funky” Askren returns to defend his title against hard-charging Russian opponent Nikolay Aleksakhin.

CEO of ONE Championship, Victor Cui stated: “We have an absolutely stacked card planned for fight fans in Manila, and we’re happy to be back at the Mall of Asia Arena for another awesome night of MMA. Each time out, our Manila show gets bigger and better, and this year is no exception.”

Tickets for ONE: GLOBAL RIVALS are available at www.smtickets.com.

Former NCAA Division I All-American and Olympian Ben Askren is a collegiate wrestling legend and one of the finest mixed martial artists in the world today. In just a few fights in ONE, Askren was able to seize the ONE Welterweight World Championship with a resounding technical knockout victory over Nobutatsu Suzuki. The highly-skilled Askren is widely considered to be the absolute best in his division and one of the best fighters in the world pound for pound. His next challenge is a tough one, as he goes head-to-head with Russia’s Nikolay Aleksakhin.

A veteran welterweight from Russia, Nikolay Aleksakhin will make his highly-anticipated return to the ONE Championship cage in Manila this April. Aleksakhin was impressive in his debut for the promotion when he submitted Burenzorig Batmunkh with a rear naked choke within three rounds. Now, Aleksakhin gets the call to face ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren and will look to surprise the crowd with intense action.

Team Lakay bantamweight Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio is one of the most proficient Wushu practitioners in the Philippines. Eustaquio’s accurate striking and cool composure has led him to a few big wins over the course of his career in ONE Championship. In his last bout, Eustaquio scored a scintillating one-punch knockout over Malaysian prospect Saiful Merican. He now looks to replicate his success against Gianni Subba.

Gianni Subba is one of the most promising prospects at ONE. At just 23-years old, Subba is already a seasoned athlete with a stellar 7-1 clip in his young career. He has won his last four bouts and in his last outing, he defeated the highly-regarded Anatpong Bunrad of Thailand. Subba now faces his toughest challenge yet in a bantamweight bout with Geje Eustaquio.

Lowen Tynanes of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, is a 25-year old unbeaten lightweight competitor and one of the most talented fighters in his division. Tynanes uses his aggressive striking approach and no-frills wrestling techniques to subdue his opponents inside the cage. He has defeated some of the biggest names in Asia, and now he is scheduled to take on Japanese veteran Koji Ando.

Koji “The Commander” Ando is one of Japan’s fiercest competitors, having been a mixed martial artist since 2008. The Japanese fighter is never in a boring fight and always remains a threat no matter who the opponent. With an array of diverse striking skills coupled with solid submission grappling credentials, Ando is ready to claim victory once again inside the ONE Cage. This time he battles Lowen Tynanes of the United States.

Featherweight standout Eric “The Natural” Kelly of Baguio City is highly-regarded as perhaps the best homegrown mixed martial artist to come out of the Philippines. The Filipino matches his solid striking techniques with a high-level grappling game, which has resulted in 9 submissions out of 12 victories. Kelly is on the trail for a shot at the featherweight title, but he’ll have to go through Timofey Nastyukhin to get it.

Russia’s Timofey Nastyukhin has notched a series of ferocious finishes since joining ONE Championship, including technical knockouts of top fighters Eduard Folayang and Yusuke Kawanago. He fell short of victory in his last bout against Herbert Burns and Nastyukhin now returns to action against one of the biggest names in the Philippines. He’ll take on grappling specialist Eric Kelly next.

24-year-old Filipino-Australian bantamweight standout Reece “Lightning” McLaren scored the biggest win of his young career in his last bout, a submission victory over Mark “Mugen” Striegl. McLaren showcased great striking skills paired with a technical ground game which resulted in a spectacular come-from-behind finish. McLaren now gets the chance to connect with his Filipino roots as he takes on Muin Gafurov in Manila.

Muin “Tajik” Gafurov of Dushanbe, Tajikistan proved in his ONE Championship debut that he is a relentless, aggressive fighter with solid all-round mixed martial arts skills. He is unbeaten at 10 wins and no losses and is a force to be reckoned with at bantamweight. In his last bout, Gafurov defeated Finnish MMA sensation Toni “Dynamite” Tauru via technical knockout and now he looks to do the same against Reece McLaren.

Team Lakay’s Honorio “The Rock” Banario has long been one of the Philippines’ most respected mixed martial arts veterans. The former ONE Featherweight World Champion, Banario is back and ready to show fans exactly what he’s been working on in the past few months since his last fight. An expert in Wushu, Banario will showcase his lightning quick strikes against fellow Filipino fighter, Vaughn Donayre.

Lightweight standout Vaughn “The Spawn” Donayre is a Filipino mixed martial artist based in Dubai. The Cebu native quit his mechanical engineering job to become a fighter. Donayre is highly regarded as an exciting mixed martial artist constantly in pursuit of a finish and in his next bout, he takes on Filipino MMA veteran Honorio Banario.

Team Lakay’s April Osenio made her much awaited ONE Championship debut against Singapore’s Kirstie Gannaway last year. Although Osenio fell short of victory, the 21-year-old female atomweight learned a lot in her first time inside the ONE Cage. Osenio now looks for her first victory, but it will have to come against fellow Filipino Natalie Gonzales Hills.

Filipino-Australian Natalie Gonzales Hills is a worthy female atomweight contender with a solid record. Her two wins inside the cage have both come by submission, with her ground game proving to be an asset. Aside from grappling, Hills also boasts high-level striking technique to round out her skillset. Against April Osenio, Hills will have to dig deep to emerge victorious.

Young prospect Bernard “Hitman” Soriano of the Philippines will take on Indonesian Sunoto in a three round bantamweight contest, while Team Lakay flyweight Danny Kingad makes his ONE Championship debut against Muhamad Haidar of Malaysia to kick off what should be an action-packed evening of world-class mixed martial arts.

Fans from around the world can witness the action online via live streaming at http://www.onefc.com/livestream. The event will be available for purchase at just US$9.99. For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com and follow Twitter and Instagram @ONEFCMMA and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA.

Fabricio Werdum explained why he cheered so much when Conor McGregor was choked out by Nate Diaz at UFC 196.

Fabricio Werdum is no stranger to making fun of his opponents, but even he believes the line must be drawn somewhere. When it comes to Conor McGregor’s antics, the UFC heavyweight champion feels like “The Notorious” doesn’t respect those boundaries, which is why he was so excited when Nate Diaz choked him out at UFC 196.

“It’s very rare for me to wish for someone to lose, but it’s what I felt and I wanted to share with my fans,” Werdum told Portal do Vale Tudo. “He started his career well, promoting himself, making money and selling fights. Then he went in over his head. He could have stayed in his weight class, real quiet. But he decided to show his weakness to the world. He has no ground game. He’s all talk. He was already exposed against Chad Mendes. At the MMA Awards, instead of talking about the award he won, he started talking about me, how I wasn’t a real champion and then about Jon Jones. He said he would fight in all weight classes against anybody. There needs to be respect.”

“There’s only one way to shut him up — by beating him, and even then he will run his mouth. He got here yesterday and is already disrespecting the old school guys. So of course fighters don’t like him. I’m sure I speak for many fighters, because he disrespects our community.”

Fabricio Werdum is scheduled to take on Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 198, in Curitiba, Brazil, on May 14.