Why do people call you “the ultimate underdog”?
Um… usually they call me Amir. Who calls me that? I don’t know if I like the alliteration.
Do you ever not want to be the underdog?
Well I always want to be fighting the toughest competition, so if I am the underdog, it’s pretty assured that I am continuing to make my way up the ladder. On the other side of that, I want to be the best fighter I can be, and part of that is winning fights that I am expected to.
Since TUF8 just wrapped up and you haven’t fought since the TUF7 finale do you worry that you’ll be forgotten?
Yeah, I’m not even really sure anyone is reading this.
How has your game evolved since winning the finale?
I’ve been exposed to trainng and competition on a completely different level than I was before the show. I had hoped to be able to test what i have learned by now, but had to push that back a bit. But soon enough I think we’ll know.
How has the postponement of the fight at UFC91 effected you?
To say it was a disappointment would be an understatement. Unfortunately it is part of the fight game. I just try to look at it as one of those things that suck, but I have no choice but to deal with, and make it a good scenario.
You were at the TUF8 finale what were your thoughts on the latest cast?
All in all I thought it was a good season. Maybe the food stuff and drama was a bit over the top, but I thought the talent was pretty good. It was no season 7, but then, they can’t all be.
You have said in your twitter that you have been sparring with Forrest and Wanderlei, if we were to ask them how you did what would they say?
Forrest would say I suck and should quit fighting and kill myself, and Wanderlei would say I’m the best, except for most of the guys he has ever trained with.
You had said in an earlier interview that one of the toughest sparring partners you have had was one of the rising stars in the SuckerPunch stable, Francois “Bang Bang” Ambang, now that you have been in the ring with some of the legends of MMA, does Francois still rank up there?
For sure, Francois is no joke, and h as all the tools and motivation to be world class.
Jeff Curran said you were very strong and had great skill on the ground when you and he rolled at his grand opening… Seriously though you looked like a giant when you grappled him, do you think you could have tapped him?
Jeff’s ground game is really slick, even being the bigger guy I couldn’t sleep on him at all. I don’t know if I could have tapped him. Wait, why? Is he calling me out? Or are you just instigating? Either way, I now change my answer to yes.
Have you decided what weight class will be your home?
Well I have always fought at 185 but everone see that is my size on this level is 170, so it would seem that is the proper wieght class for me.
Have you played with yourself… in UFC Undisputed 2009 yet?
Yes…. No