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
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
Sense of humor still intact. If Amir comes out to the Underdog theme song for his next fight it will be the best intro music ever – better than Bisping coming out to London Calling for his first UK show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcjOi_3H7gw
Garp
http://www.texastestosteronefestival.com
First of all 125 is where you should be fighting at. You look fat at 170 like OMG. You should, like, know this. Second of all you should like admit that you sir are no Underdog. Underdog was a highly trained advanced Superhero with clothes that are too big. You are someone who has a stalker (i.e. my wife) so no, no you are not Underdog, you sir should be Captain Syphillis and the Velvet Turtleneck. That is your nickname from now on. I shall from here on refer to you as that. Enjoy.
Your Nuts! I think you are way better then Jeff on the ground! I kid I kid!!!! Jeff is a stud. Amir I cannot wait until you go out there and make your mark. I look forward to our next training session. Nice knees by the way! Next time let me know we are throwing them into the mix….Man I am jealous you got to train with Wanderlei! He is still one of my favorites. You gotta introduce me someday.
Hey did I mention that I think you bruised my ego! Train hard and stay healthy.
Remember to be WICKED!
Yahoo lists Amir coming out to “Forgive But Not Forget” as “odd”.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/mma_experts/post/Tunes-are-key-to-setting-tone-at-UFC-93?urn=mma%2C133470
I don’t know. Seems more like the kind of stuff boxers are coming out to nowadays so I don’t see what’s so odd about it.
Amir, you going to give us a clue to what entrance music you’re considering for your next fight?
Just watched Blues Brothers for the thousandth time and was reminded of this great tune I’d recommend…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykpbKOnN93w
Garp
http://www.texastestosteronefestival.com
Who is Amir again…?
I Kid, I Kid 😛
Whether Amir is fighting or basket weaving, he will always second guess his abilities, but will always persevere and end up on top….then find a way to laugh about it all.
Why haven’t there been any bulletins on the condition of Amir lately. I know that he was injured and had to drop the fight to Nick Catone again, but how is he doing ? I hope the injury hasn’t sent him back too far. I aleways said that fighting isn’t the hard part, preparing for it is.
Get well soon dude.