Director James Z. Feng was kind enough to send us a few copies of Fight Life (read our review here), his recently-released documentary featuring Jake Shields, Lyle Beerbohm, and Nick Diaz among others, so that can only mean one thing: Fight-picking contest!
This weekend, Fight Night 44: Stevens vs. Swanson transpires at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. (There’s also a Fight Pass card going down in kiwiland somewhere, but we’ll be damned if we pay any attention to that.) Check out the fight card here, and submit a prediction for any fight on the lineup in the comments section below. The three most accurate guesses will win a copy of Fight Life on DVD. Your picks should be in this format…
Cub Swanson def. Jeremy Stephens via TKO, 2:15 of Round 2 or
Cezar Ferreira def. Andrew Craig via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
In other words: Winner’s name first, and include the method of victory, time of stoppage, round of stoppage, or the judges’ scores if you think the fight will go the distance; we’ll need that in case of a tie-breaker. Please submit your picks to the comments section by Friday night at midnight ET. Winners will be announced the following Monday. Only one entry per person, please. Any questions, let us know in the comments section (or if the comments section isn’t working, as is often the case, tweet us @cagepotatomma).
Good luck everybody, and thanks to James Z. Feng for hooking us up.
Director James Z. Feng was kind enough to send us a few copies of Fight Life (read our review here), his recently-released documentary featuring Jake Shields, Lyle Beerbohm, and Nick Diaz among others, so that can only mean one thing: Fight-picking contest!
This weekend, Fight Night 44: Stevens vs. Swanson transpires at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. (There’s also a Fight Pass card going down in kiwiland somewhere, but we’ll be damned if we pay any attention to that.) Check out the fight card here, and submit a prediction for any fight on the lineup in the comments section below. The three most accurate guesses will win a copy of Fight Life on DVD. Your picks should be in this format…
Cub Swanson def. Jeremy Stephens via TKO, 2:15 of Round 2 or
Cezar Ferreira def. Andrew Craig via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
In other words: Winner’s name first, and include the method of victory, time of stoppage, round of stoppage, or the judges’ scores if you think the fight will go the distance; we’ll need that in case of a tie-breaker. Please submit your picks to the comments section by Friday night at midnight ET. Winners will be announced the following Monday. Only one entry per person, please. Any questions, let us know in the comments section (or if the comments section isn’t working, as is often the case, tweet us @cagepotatomma).
Good luck everybody, and thanks to James Z. Feng for hooking us up.
Jeremy Stephens and Cub Swanson want to believe their stories are still being written.
They both likely shudder to think they would be defined by moments past. Were that the case, Swanson would forever be remembered as the victim of Jose Aldo’s i…
Jeremy Stephens and Cub Swanson want to believe their stories are still being written.
They both likely shudder to think they would be defined by moments past. Were that the case, Swanson would forever be remembered as the victim of Jose Aldo’s insane eight-second double flying knee at WEC 41; Stephens would be remembered as the guy whose biggest career headlines came after his arrest on felony assault charges just before UFC on FX 5.
Neither would make a particularly proud legacy, so it’s tempting to cast Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 44 main event as a crossroads for both men.
The winner could be granted a future featherweight title shot and perhaps a chance to replace sour memories of the past with a brighter future. The loser shuffles back to the 145-pound pack, known at least a while longer for stuff he’d probably sooner forget.
Stephens obviously has the longer road to redemption. He was meant to fight Yves Edwards in Minneapolis in Oct. 2012, but police jailed him just hours before showtime on a warrant stemming from a year-old altercation in his home state of Iowa.
Details of the incident were ugly—the kind of thing that could follow a professional fighter his entire career—but charges against Stephens were dropped last July. At the time, Stephens’ manager said the 28-year-old knockout artist turned down multiple plea deals before prosecutors ultimately decided not to pursue the matter.
This week, Stephens elaborated to MMA Fighting’s Chuck Mindenhall that he had “no involvement” with the assault and that his accusers were “out for money.”
He continued:
It was a big ordeal, man, but I’m kind of thankful for it. It was a really bad thing that happened, but I’m kind of thankful for it because it opened my eyes to a lot of things I wasn’t paying attention to before. … It’s been a blessing in disguise to make me a better person, a better father and overall a different human being.
Different human being or not, Stephens’ fighting life took a hit in the wake of that high-profile arrest. The UFC finally got him in the cage with Edwards in December 2012, but he was knocked out in a minute, 55 seconds. It was his third consecutive loss in the lightweight division, and after five years and 15 fights in the Octagon, it felt as though he was nearing the end of his usefulness to the UFC.
Little did we know.
Stephens cut to featherweight in the spring of 2013 and has since put together three consecutive wins. The highlight thus far has been last November’s first-round KO of Rony Jason in Brazil, but Stephens has yet to tangle with any A-list 145-pound contenders. It remains to be seen if his signature brand of high-energy savagery will carry the day against the division’s best.
If he ever means to truly distance himself from the debacle that cast him out of his originally scheduled bout against Edwards, there is really only one way to do it. He needs to bury it in a run at the featherweight title, moving beyond the also-ran status that plagued him at lightweight to prove he’ll be a long-term asset in his new weight class.
That’s where Swanson comes in.
The 30-year-old Jackson’s MMA fighter has been a mainstay in the featherweight division dating back to the early days of the Zuffa-era WEC. He’s riding a five-fight win streak in the Octagon (four of them stoppages) and hasn’t tasted defeat in more than two-and-a-half years.
You might think a guy like that could write his own ticket, but Swanson told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto this week that his negotiations with the UFC prior to the Stephens fight didn’t exactly go as planned:
I was told ‘no’ to everybody I asked for. I was like, ‘What about this person?’ They said it didn’t make sense for the division. We basically sat down and went through the entire list of names from Jose Aldo all the way down, and they told me why I couldn’t fight them. It was just very clear I would have to wait for the fights I wanted.
To understand why, one need look no further than a rough patch from 2009-11, which saw Swanson go 2-3. Overall, he’s 11-4 in WEC/UFC, but his biggest opportunities have mostly so far resulted in letdowns.
It happened in June 2009 and not only propelled Aldo into a WEC 145-pound title fight but also turned out to be the cornerstone of his career highlight reel. Just a glove touch, a grin from Swanson and then Aldo suspending the laws of physics. The kind of thing you could watch again and again before the true genius of the move hits you.
It was certainly not as ignominious as Stephens’ arrest, but when we talk about Swanson, the fact that he once played the Kelly Tripucka to Aldo’s Michael Jordan is never far from our minds.
It’s no secret what it would take for Swanson to erase that memory. He has to beat Stephens on Saturday night and get back into a title match against Aldo, provided the champion gets past Chad Mendes at UFC 176. Once there, he has to win—or at least make it look better than the first time.
Considering that even the most favorable roads for both Swanson and Stephens lead to Aldo, neither is going to have an easy time of it. But this weekend—in what we all expect to be a crackerjack fight—one will get the opportunity to prove his story will be more than just a footnote.
The other may be left still trying to escape his own shadow.
Whenever Cub Swanson fights, there’s a chance for an explosive finish. He won’t have to hunt down his opponent Saturday night, as Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens is never one to back down from a brawl.
Swanson has made it clear: He believes he deserves …
Whenever Cub Swanson fights, there’s a chance for an explosive finish. He won’t have to hunt down his opponent Saturday night, as Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens is never one to back down from a brawl.
Swanson has made it clear: He believes he deserves a shot at the title.
He has already faced and been knocked out by current champion Jose Aldo, but that was in 2009 when both were in WEC. He wants his crack at the title soon, but Stephens stands in his way.
‘Lil Heathen has been up and down over the past three years. He had lost three fights in a row but followed that up with his current three-fight win streak. A win over Swanson would make him a prime contender to fight for the title in the near future.
The two men headline UFC Fight Night 44 in San Antonio, Texas. It is the second card from the promotion on the day. Much earlier—at least stateside—UFC Fight Night 43 will commence in New Zealand.
Another interesting fight on the FN 44 card features the return of another talented featherweight. Ricardo Lamas lost a unanimous decision to Aldo in his last fight, but he is looking to rebound against Hacran Dias.
Lamas didn’t like the way he fought against Aldo and has vowed to improve upon the performance. Per Kyle McLachlan of Bloody Elbow, Lamas said:
“I just didn’t fight like myself. With a title riding on the line I didn’t want to make too many mistakes and I was too conservative. I learned a lot from that fight and won’t ever fight like that again.”
Dias is a formidable opponent who is capable of testing Lamas.
Here’s a look at the entire card, viewing information and predictions for the action in San Antonio. Just below the table is a closer look at the biggest main card bouts.
Ricardo “The Bully” Lamas vs. Hacran Dias
Dias has put together a solid record outside of the UFC. He’s 1-1 in his time with the promotion. Though he has a lot of experience in MMA, he hasn’t faced fighters on par with Lamas.
With a renewed purpose, Lamas is even more dangerous now than he was before the loss to Aldo. His ground-and-pound game is among the best in the lower weight classes, and Dias’ penchant to work from his back will put him in peril against the Bully.
Even if Lamas wasn’t at his best against Aldo, he still did enough to keep the bout competitive. Against Aldo, that’s an accomplishment.
Lamas will win it by TKO.
Cezar “Mutante” Ferreira vs. Andrew “Highlight” Craig
Coming off his first loss in the UFC, Ferreira has something to prove. Craig is a tough grinder who doesn’t possess the natural athleticism that Mutante does, but he fights with heart.
What quality will win out on Saturday?
Bet on talent.
Ferreira has long been tabbed as a future force in the UFC. His speed, punching power and grappling make for an exciting combination of skills.
He is beginning to gain a reputation for having a weak chin, though.
He hit a speed bump in his knockout loss to C.B. Dollaway in March. Can Craig test Ferreira’s chin? It’s not likely. Keeping Ferreira from gaining the advantage on the ground will be Craig’s biggest challenge.
Look for Ferreira to fight a smart, tactical fight that leads to ground domination and a submission win to re-establish his momentum.
Cub Swanson vs. Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens
The personalities and demeanors of the fighters in the main event are intriguing.
‘Lil Heathen might be the funniest nickname in all of sports, but there’s nothing comical about Stephens’ relentless style. He comes to bring the pain like Method Man, and his intentions are apparent in every punch.
Swanson looks like an anti-hero from a Guy Ritchie movie, and fights with just as much attitude. This battle could live up to its billing as the featured attraction and earn Fight of the Night honors.
Both men can really bang if the fight takes place in the stand-up, but Stephens might have a slight edge when it comes to grappling. The question is this: Can Stephens’ stamina hold up against Swanson, a noted horse in the energy department?
Although Stephens can definitely take Swanson down and might be able to grind out a decision win, it’ll be tough for him to keep that up over 25 minutes. Swanson is strong enough on the ground to work some escapes, and he might even be able to wear Stephens down as the fight goes into the later rounds.
Because of Swanson’s fitness level, resolve and punching power, he should score a late-round stoppage in one heck of a battle.
Just for Kicks
EA Sports UFC just released on Xbox One and Playstation 4 on June 17. I used the game to simulate the main event for UFC Fight Night 44. Only Swanson is included in the roster at this point—although updates are said to be on the way—so I had to create Stephens.
The facial image came out decently and his ratings are based on stats from FightMetric.com. Here we go!
There is a reason Cub Swanson is smiling these days.
While all fighters travel a path of resistance in order to reach elite-level status in MMA, the severity of the adversity faced along the way differs from athlete to athlete. A variety of elements ar…
There is a reason Cub Swanson is smiling these days.
While all fighters travel a path of resistance in order to reach elite-level status in MMA, the severity of the adversity faced along the way differs from athlete to athlete. A variety of elements are constantly in play, and the race to form natural talent into a technically sharp weapon can easily become the factor that weighs heaviest on a fighter’s shoulders.
Once the gauges of potential and expectation are dialed in, everything that happens inside the cage has the power to either amplify or tear down everything supporting a fighter’s status. Victories bring glory and validation to the cause, while setbacks create damage that is difficult to bounce back from. This is the ebb and flow every fighter must face, and the roller-coaster ride has proven overwhelming for many who have carried promise with them into the cage.
Swanson certainly knows what it feels like to have his resolve tested. In fact, if his recent five-fight winning streak has proven anything, it’s that he isn’t easily deterred. Granted, there have been losses and low points throughout his career, but weathering the storm has a way of elevating some men and sometimes brings them to a place where the very best they have to give shines through.
It took everything he had—and a lot he had to find along the way—but Swanson is finally closing in on what he’s been chasing for the better part of the past decade.
“Finding the right balance is so important, and there was a time I really wondered if it would ever happen,” Swanson told Bleacher Report. “When I was going through my ups and downs, I would succeed in some places, then fail in others. I would make adjustments, but I always wondered if there would ever come a time where I fired off on all cylinders and would be the fluid fighter I’ve always known I could be. That’s almost impossible to pull off, but that is what we strive for as fighters.
“I put myself up against that question for years, and it finally feels like it is happening. I’ve put in so much work, and I’m getting stronger every time I’m out there. It finally feels like the 11 years of sacrifice I’ve invested is starting to pay off. It’s very difficult to always be in the zone, but I’ve figured out how to flip that switch.
“I’ve fought on the same card as my teammate Clay Guida a few times, and I’ve really learned a lot by watching him,” Swanson added. “He’s been in a lot of big fights, and he just takes it so easy and relaxed, then goes out there and turns it on. No matter what, he enjoys it. And for a really long time I wasn’t that way. I was going in there all aggressive and mean and felt like I needed to be the baddest dude out there. Now I know there is a place I can go to turn that “Killer Cub” on at any moment, and it’s made all the difference.”
After seven years of rising and falling in the featherweight ranks, the 30-year-old SoCal representative now finds himself on the cusp of title contention, on the strength of a run that saw Swanson carve a path of destruction through the 145-pound division. Every opponent he’s faced over the last two years has been toppled, with four of the five being dispatched in brutal fashion.
In the process of hammering his way to the top, “Killer Cub” emerged from a place where unmet potential once sat heavy. And that ascension has validated the smile branded across Swanson’s face.
“I never gave up hope,” Swanson said. “It was very rough at times, and a lot of people gave up on me, but I never gave up on myself. Whether it came from writers, friends, training partners or coaches, I’ve heard it all. I’ve heard all their little comments—and whether they really meant them or not—those things just made me stronger. I’m a stubborn person, and when I make up my mind to do something I do it.
“It’s a great feeling to be in the position I’m in after everything I’ve been through. And I keep that chip on my shoulder. I had to fight for every bit of respect I’ve earned, and to be the man right now and one of the top guys in the division is something I’ve worked for so long to achieve.
“Talking to the UFC sometimes, I don’t know if they realize I’ve been working for them for seven years. I didn’t just get here. I think having that chip on my shoulder is important, but at the same time, I also understand the business. I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to step up and do my part so I’m able to live up to my own hype and expectation.”
His impressive streak has brought him within striking distance of a shot at the featherweight title, with his upcoming bout against Jeremy Stephens at Fight Night 44 shaping up to be the final step before a championship opportunity is realized. He will face the former lightweight-staple-turned-featherweight-contender in the main event when the UFC returns to San Antonio on June 28, in a showcase bout that will feature two of the 145-pound division’s heaviest hitters.
There will be a lot on the line going into Fight Night 44, and Swanson couldn’t be happier. These are the circumstances he’s worked tirelessly to find himself in, and he’s fired up to show and prove once again.
“I’m in a great position going into this fight,” Swanson said. “I wanted a title fight and that didn’t happen, but I’m grateful for this opportunity because it’s a step up. It is a five-round fight, a main event, and all eyes are going to be on me. There won’t be a title on the line, and there won’t be the mystique of trying to dethrone the champion, but the circumstances surrounding this fight is the kind of experience I need.
“This fight will give me the opportunity to fight five five-minute rounds if need be, and getting the W will earn the title shot I’ve been chasing. I’ll be able to gauge some things from this performance and make adjustments if need be going into the title shot to make sure I’m at my very best.
“This is a fight for the fans,” he added. “We both go out there to risk it and both carry a ‘go big or go home’ mentality. We both have that particular style, and it makes for a great main event. I get excited for fights like this, and to get in there with someone who wants it just as bad as I do, that brings out the best in me.”
It has been the skills he’s displayed inside the Octagon that have made fans start to appreciate his talent, but Swanson knows it was the countless hours of work that went unseen that have made the difference over the past two years. As things started to click and his unorthodox striking sent opponent after opponent crashing to the canvas, the fires of confidence inside of him began to rage.
Suddenly, Swanson was recognized as one of the most dangerous fighters in the featherweight division, a status he has certainly proven worthy of. Yet while the adoration of the passionate MMA fanbase is something he holds in high regard, Swanson is also cautious to let anything seep beneath the skin.
Seven years competing at the highest level of the sport and having to battle through the dark corners of his career taught him to keep things close to the vest. In an unpredictable sport like MMA, change comes in quickly, violently and frequently. And in this regard, Swanson has firsthand experience at being the executioner, the receiver and the witness. Having seen it all and overcome opposition that has lingered long after the arena lights have gone down, Swanson’s focus has become unbreakable.
He’s at his best when the chaos inside the cage is at its peak, and Fight Night 44 will bring one more opportunity—the biggest opportunity—to prove he’s mastered the mystic formula of putting it all together when it matters the most.
“I really do appreciate the support fans have given and that people are starting to appreciate the work I do inside the cage,” Swanson said. “On the other hand, I don’t feed into it that much. I try not to read too much into people’s compliments because I know that can change in a heartbeat. One bad performance can flip everything. The real fans will always keep you in high regard because they know what you are about and what you bring to the table, but others will jump on and try to tear you down.
“I’ve been around this game a long time. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs, and I know how fast things can turn around. That experience helps me keep my focus right where it needs to be, but I appreciate the love I get from the fans very much.
“I turn into a different person out there and thrive when everything gets chaotic around me,” he added in conclusion. “I love when the crowd gets rowdy and nuts, and that only makes me want to perform for them that much more. I know this crowd in San Antonio is going to be crazy, and that will bring out the very best in me.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
When set against the back drop of the rough and tumble outpost of Albuquerque, N.M., and the hard-nosed champion factory of the Jackson/Winkeljohn fight gym; Brandon Gibson is a contrast to his surroundings.
While he is Texas born and New Mexico bred, …
When set against the back drop of the rough and tumble outpost of Albuquerque, N.M., and the hard-nosed champion factory of the Jackson/Winkeljohn fight gym; Brandon Gibson is a contrast to his surroundings.
While he is Texas born and New Mexico bred, the 30-year-old’s presentation and laid back demeanor would lead one to believe he’s of the Southern California variety. Everything inside the doors of the world renown facility on Acoma Street is all business, but it is rare to see Gibson break from his steady composure even when some of the most talented strikers in the fight game are throwing punches and kicks in his direction with thunderous intentions.
The punches crack off his mitts and shin bones slam into his chest guard just as Gibson shuffles his feet and returns the exchange with a wry smile of encouragement. And when it comes to that smile that hangs ever present on his face these days, it is a sentiment he’s certainly earned the right to display.
Gibson’s initial path through martial arts began on the other side of the ropes as trained in traditional disciplines and had his sights set in the avenues of boxing and kickboxing. Unfortunately, an injury brought that chapter of his life to a close.
Yet, with his ability to absorb the technical aspects of the craft and his appreciation for ways proven and tested moves that could be expanded with a fighters’ personal creativity, Gibson saw a potential path in the coaching realm begin to materialize.
He had already been training under striking guru Mike Winkeljohn for years and decided to change his role from pupil to apprentice, as he set out to start a new chapter for himself in combat sports.
“I met Coach Winkeljohn when I was 21 years old, and I had already been boxing and kickboxing for some time,” Gibson told Bleacher Report. “My coach at the time had encouraged me to go to Winkeljohn‘s pro sparring class to test out my skills and see what I really had, and I love everything about him from the start. I loved his teaching style. I loved his discipline. To have him as a coach and teacher, then to add someone like Greg Jackson into the mix, I couldn’t have asked for two better mentors or role models.”
After a few years working under the tutelage of the storied team of Jackson and Winkeljohn, “Six Gun” has become one of the most promising young coaches to hit the scene in recent memory.
While the team in Albuquerque work in a realm of open communication, Gibson has played a crucial role in the development and rise of some of the most prominent names currently residing on the UFC roster.
Of that collective, there is none bigger than light heavyweight phenom Jon Jones. The 26-year-old champion has experienced a meteoric rise since making his Octagon debut back in 2008, as he’s decimated a list of former champions and future Hall of Fame fighters en route to not only becoming the youngest champion in UFC history but the most dominant one as well.
“Bones” will be looking add another notch on his record-setting run of title defenses when he faces Glover Teixeira this weekend at UFC 172.
His fight with the Brazilian powerhouse will ultimately be one more high-profile showcase in what has already been a young career spent under the brightest lights the UFC has to offer, and he appreciates having Gibson by his side throughout his journey.
“I consider him my Bundini Brown,” Jones said. “Bundini was Muhammad Ali’s cornerman and right-hand man. He knew Ali best. That is what Brandon is for me in my career. He’s a phenomenal coach….a phenomenal friend. He has a great spirit towards martial arts and life in general. He’s a great example for me for his work ethic and the way he is as a father and husband. Brandon is an all-around great example, and I’m really glad to have him in my life and with me in my career.”
Where the New York native used a blend of his wrestling pedigree, athleticism and creative tendencies to launch his trajectory under the UFC banner, it has been the unorthodox attacks in his striking game that has made him one of the most difficult puzzles in MMA.
The pound-for-pound great has shown improvement at such a rate that the ceiling for his skill set is yet to reach a projected plateau. Gibson has had a front seat to Jones’ rise and is constantly inspired by the way the champion sharpens his weapons and adds to his arsenal.
“The creative element is such an amazing part of the process for me,” Gibson said. “During some of our sessions where we are working on basic technical moves over and over again, something will happen where Jon will have a spark, or I’ll have a spark and something unique will come out of it. A big part of that is knowing all the fighter’s personal styles, where a move one guy comes up with may also fit another fighter’s style. For instance, Jon may come up with this amazing follow up elbow that ends up being a perfect fit for John Dodson and Carlos Condit’s striking games as well. I will walk out of those sessions inspired then try to keep that rolling and inspire the rest of the team.”
When it comes to fighters who push the boundaries of conventional striking in the current era of MMA, Cub Swanson is certainly a card carrying member of the club.
The SoCal representative has consistently displayed a willingness to execute high risk/high reward techniques in the heat of battle, as “Killer Cub” has risen to become one of the most dominant finishers in the highly competitive ranks of the featherweight division.
The 30-year-old contender has been honing his craft in Albuquerque for years and is one of the fighters who is quick to tout the benefits Gibson brings to the table. Swanson has been around the fight game for nearly a decade, and he’s certainly no stranger to the tensions that can arise when egos clash inside the gym.
With that being said, the humility in Gibson’s open-minded approach is one Swanson certainly appreciates and believes it is perhaps the striking coach’s greatest asset.
“Brandon is the guy who will show up to work and push all ego aside,” Swanson said. “He’s so eager to learn, and he’s working under these great coaches that he will be open to whatever you want to do and he’ll jump right into it. Coach Wink will have me working on certain things one day, then when it’s time to switch it up or there is something I really want to work on, I’ll grab him and we’ll work that to death.
“We’ll vibe on things for sure when we are working together. He’ll throw in his two cents, then we’ll examine the situation and see if it is working or if there is something we need to be doing better. We just feed off communication from there, and it’s a pretty cool thing. Having the guys you are working with being open to listen to you is very important.
“At the end of the day, we look at the entire process to see what worked, what didn’t and why those things were or weren’t effective. There isn’t a whole lot of ego involved, and that is the biggest thing. We are a team, and that’s huge.”
The word “team” can be a subjective term in MMA, but the traditional meaning holds firm inside the gym at Jackson/Winkeljohn. Although every fighter ultimately competes on his own, it takes a solid effort by a group of motivated individuals to properly prepare them for the challenges ahead.
While the lion’s share of the recognition for consistently producing the stream of elite-level talent that comes out of Albuquerque rightfully falls on the shoulders of the two veteran coaches, an upstart group—of which Gibson is a member—is currently aiming to groom the next generation of fighters to emerge from the storied locale.
Mike Valle brought his signature combination-based attack to the table, while Israel “Izzy” Martinez has instituted his wrestling program that has the fighters at Jackson/Winkeljohn grappling at an entirely new level.
When all of the talent in the coaching staff is combined, it creates one of the most unique “think tanks” to be found anywhere in the sport.
With that being said, all the knowledge in the world wouldn’t matter if communication wasn’t front and center, and that aspect is something Gibson and the rest of the fighters training in the gym have grown a deep appreciation for.
“We are always sharing ideas on our team,” Gibson said. “Whether it be between the coaches or the fighters; we are always communicating with one another. We also pay attention to what other fighters are doing across the sport. Jose Aldo may use a certain kick in one of his fights that was incredibly effective and efficient, and we will work to incorporate that where it would fit with our fighters. It is almost as if there is a live science project going on every weekend in the UFC. We get to see what is working and what isn’t, even if it isn’t necessarily our guys out there fighting inside the Octagon.”
Much the same as the fighters he works side by side with into the late night hours, Gibson’s primary goal is to progress his skills and talents in the fight game.
Where the athletes inside the cage are on a constant push to progress their skills and evolve into a slicker, stronger version of the fighter they were in their previous showing, many of the same things apply for Gibson on the coaching side.
With just a handful of years under his belt in a coaching role, Gibson is certainly aware of how much room there is for personal growth. In fact, the quest for progression and development is something he downright cherishes, and it is a pursuit where a lack of motivation is never a challenge.
Nevertheless, every man or woman who has ever dedicated their lives to combat sports is eager to leave their mark. Where Gibson once believed that would come from his ability to string together combinations, cut angles and use his footwork to set up the highlight reel shot, he now understands his greatest talent is showing another passionate combatant how to work in rhythms most never come to understand.
When everything comes together in a perfect moment and a fighter like Tim Kennedy turns out a scrappy Brazilian’s lights with an impeccably timed left hook they had been drilling for weeks on end, the possibilities Gibson has only recently come to imagine all appear there for the taking.
Yet, where the glory of victory elevate those involved to great heights, the shocking moments filled with setback and despair are also a painfully realistic part of the hurt business.
In Gibson’s mind, he’ll take every part of the process to heart because he legitimately cares for his teammates chasing down their dreams inside of the cage. He wants them to reach their full potential and knows the collective push will force him to reach his own.
Gibson wouldn’t have it any other way and has confidence the process of reaching his goals will put him in a place to usher the next wave of Albuquerque-based talent to greatness.
“I just want to keep developing my craft and helping the fighters on our team,” Gibson said. “Every week and each month we have a new goal, and I want to keep helping in any way I can. In the long term, I really want to fully develop a style of my own. I believe I’m really hitting my stride where MMA striking, ranges and transitions are concerned. Working under Coach Wink and Greg, I think I can help make sure Albuquerque continues to breed champions for another two decades.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
Jeremy Stephens and 