Fighter Development Quotes

I'm working relentlessly at becoming a better fighter than I was yesterday. I think I've really shown that I'm a more evolved fighter these days than I've ever been.

I'm just looking to learn, grow, stay focused, and become a better fighter and a better athlete.

I'm developing more as a welterweight and becoming a better fighter.

My Jiu-Jitsu is very MMA focused. I was not the best striker, and when I considered becoming a MMA fighter I just focused to improve my BJJ.

People ask me if I'm going to open a school. Why not? I think I should. Maybe not a typical school where anyone can come but with young fighters definitely one day. I don't have the nerves for amateurs.

I was made fun of at a young age. I would fight a lot in the streets, and it has a lot to do with the way I am today. It helped my development as a fighter, but what can I say?

You need to know your mistakes, as well as your opponent's mistakes. So you need to make sure the trainer is paying significant importance to you and your fighter, and every detail of it.

Kelvin Gastelum, there's many ways I can classify his style. I like it. He's improved. One thing I can say is that he's improved over his run in the UFC from 'The Ultimate Fighter' and now being a contender. But his style? It's very Mexican. You have the Mexican style of boxing, and he has a Mexican style of MMA, like smart Mexican style.

In Bellator, I feel like I can grow. As the fighters grow, I know the company will grow. You feel like a part of the company.

If I can put the right guy with the right mouthpiece in front of the right opponents, we can build a champion, but he doesn't really have to beat the best guys; we just have to give him the right matchups.

Looking back in hindsight, I really stunted my growth as a fighter by constantly cutting weight all the time.

I think a trainer is very important at the beginning of a fighter's career. A fighter needs to know how to throw a left, throw a right, how to duck, how to do certain things. Over time, you don't really need a trainer. You've got to train yourself. You've got to motivate yourself. And I don't think anybody can put that in you.

I've coached UFC champions and stuff before I ever started fighting.

It was very important to me to join an organization that has an established track record of helping young fighters grow into world class athletes and champions. Gladiator Challenge has been a home to such fighters as Quinton Jackson, Rashad Evans, Urijah Faber, Tyson Griffin, Chael Sonnen, Michael McDonald, and many others.

I've always wanted to coach 'The Ultimate Fighter,' I thought it would be something I'd really enjoy.

When I first came to Bellator, I wanted to take it back to what we accomplished at Strikeforce and look at the next generation. So we signed the Aaron Picos of the world and put them in our development programme to nurture them.

I try to understand the sport more and more as I develop, and I try to be a better fighter overall and work on everything, not just every aspect, I try to combine it too. I work on it every day, and I try to be a better fighter in every practice.

I've set the model of showing fighters how they should conduct their business.

I have great coaches, but one thing I've never really had is that head coach - a Greg Jackson, Matt Hume, John Hackleman.

I'm an established fighter, not a fighter who needs steady progression.

Joe DeGuardia, I love that guy. He's not a superstar promoter yet, but he will be. He was a fighter himself; he's staying the course with these guys. He's developing some good fighters out there. I really applaud him whenever I get a chance to.

You learn a lot as a coach when you sit back and tell someone what to do, and then you realize, 'Hey, I need to start doing that myself.' I think coaching can improve a fighter's game tremendously.

For me, 'The Ultimate Fighter' has been massive. I think it is a fantastic vehicle to find the new talent of tomorrow.

I just think that Kimbo [Slice] in the future could be a great fighter. He's got the look and obviously he's got the marketability but skill-wise he really hasn't gotten an opportunity to settle in and develop on his skills.