You're coming off a win over Kendall Grove at UFC 101. Give us your thoughts on the fight.
It wasn't my best performance but I was happy with the win. Kendall's height and technique make him a very difficult opponent for anyone in the middle weight division.
Kendall had you in a pretty tight arm bar in the fight. How concerned were you in that moment when he locked it on?
He caught me off guard by pivoting off the fence and I knew it was tight right away. But I just stayed calm and worked my way out. It all happens so fast in there you really have no time to think, just react. My Jiu Jitsu base gives me the ability to not only attack but escape some of these tight spots that you end up stuck in during an MMA fight.
Now you're set to drop to the 170 pound weight class. What prompted the move down in weight and have you ever made a weight cut like that in your career?
I have never cut to 170lbs but I made 178lbs to fight Nate Marquardt in Pancrase. When I fought Kendall I was walking around 187lbs so it wouldn't be too drastic of a cut to 170lbs.
You were originally set to make your 170 debut against Jon Fitch at UFC 107 before suffering an injury. Would you like to have Fitch in your first fight still? Or would you like a tune up fight?
There are really no tune up fights in the UFC and I feel I am in a good position to start fighting the guys in the upper echelon of the division. Whoever they want me to fight I will be ready.
Your long time coach and friend Renzo Gracie is making his UFC debut against UFC Legend Matt Hughes this April in Abu Dabhi. How excited are you for that? Will you be in his corner and how do you see the fight going?
I'm very excited to see him back fighting and even more so because we will be fighting in the same division in the UFC. On a selfish side I know I'll be getting great training but as a fan I am really looking forward to see Renzo fight Hughes.
I will love to be in his corner as I have for his past fights. This is a tough challenge and he knows it. Hughes is a great champion and is still a threat to anyone in the world at welter weight.
You've been coaching Frankie Edgar for a few years now. What are your thoughts on his career and where he is headed?
The thing about Frankie is he will outwork anyone I have ever met. He came back from Vegas after his win against Matt Veach and the very next day he was back wrestling. He won't even take escalators.
Renzo texted me from Marroco after Frankie's fight saying " what Frankie lacks in size, he makes up with his heart and technique". The only way to stop him is to knock him out or choke him unconscious but the problem is guys can't even hit him anymore.
Frankie hasn't reached his full potential yet. We know we have a lot of work to do but I have no doubts that Frankie will be wearing the UFC belt around his weight one day.
The UFC is headed to your home state of New Jersey this March, what would it mean for you to fight in the UFC in New Jersey?
It will be an honor to represent my home state. I was born in NY but have been living in Jersey since 1997.
It will be great to fight in front of all the people who support me on a daily basis. It brings extra pressure but also extra motivation. I cant wait till march.
Who in your opinion is the best pound for pound fighter in MMA today?
A toss up between GSP and BJ. Fedor and Silva just haven't been very active.
I know Georges beat BJ twice but I feel BJ has been more devastating at his weight class than GSP. They are two of my favorite guys to watch.
Another Gracie is going to be making his Octagon debut soon, when Rolles Gracie steps up to fight Mustapha Al-Turk. What are your thoughts on that?
I have been training with Rolles for a long time know. He has really matured in the past few years. He wants to do the work to be the best in the world and represent Gracie Jiu Jitsu. He has only a few pro fights but I believe he will make a big impact in the heavy weight division.
I'm gonna dig up an old gem here and ask you about the incident with Nate Marquardt from 2003. For those who don't know, Ricardo choked Nate out in the first round. It appeared you held on to the choke after the tap, prompting Nate to hit you, and than Renzo Gracie to soccer kick Nate in the face. Explain to us what happened, and where your relationship with Nate stands now.
Nate said some things before the fight that I didn't take well and when I had the choke I held a little too long. When I let go he puched me and then Renzo kicked him. I was imature and should not have held up on the choke. We both have apologized to each other and from my part there are no hard feelings. It is great to see how well he is doing in the UFC.
How interested are you in a fight with champion Georges St. Pierre should you be successful at 170?
RIght now I just want to get in there and get comfortable at this weight. Keep getting better. Me and Georges are team mates and since we are both fighting at UFC111 here in jersey we have talked about putting together a training camp where we help each other out.
My goal is to fight for the belt one day but I am just taking it one fight at a time.
Thank you for taking the time to answer the questions Ricardo, we all look forward to seeing you fight again!
Jason High is one of the fastest rising young welterweights in mixed martial arts today. With a career record of 9-2, he was last seen making a strong run at the DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix title, before being knocked out by tournament winner Marius Zaromskis. Earlier in that night he pulled of an upset victory over tournament favorite Andre Galvao. In fact, Sherdog had predicted that Jason would be submitted within the first five minutes of the fight. Jason showed why he is one of the most highly regarded prospects in MMA, pulling off the victory in a fantastic fight. I got a chance to talk with Jason and ask him a few questions about his career, those fights, and MMA in general.
Hey Jason, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions. I'll get right into them.
You last fought at DREAM 10 in the Welterweight Grand Prix. You went 1-1 on the night beating a very game Andre Galvao in what was an upset, and than being knocked out by Marius Zaromskis. Give us your thoughts on both fights and what you took from it?
-The Galvao fight went pretty much how we planned it. The only times I got in trouble was when I deviated from the game plan by going for a knee bar and a guillotine. You take away those 2 brain farts and there would've been no doubt I won the fight. As it was though, I made 2 mistakes that left speculation in peoples' mind, but in the end I think I was more dominant, did more damage and won the fight. The Zaromiskis fight is obviously one I'd like to do over. I had one good fight but the tournament as a whole didn't end the way I would've liked it too.
Do you have any fights coming up in the near future?
-Nothing scheduled but we're working on a few things. Looks like I'll be back early next year.
If you can put together a winning streak would you want a rematch with Marius for his DREAM Welterweight title?
-Yes.
Is there any chance of you landing with one of the major US promotions in the near future?
-Yea, it's possible. Like I said we got a few choices to make and I'll be fighting early next year.
The Ultimate Fighter has done wonder for the careers of many fighters who weren't particularly well known until the show. Could you see yourself entering the Ultimate Fighter show? Why or why not?
-Nah, not at this point. I tried out for one of the seasons before I moved to California and didn't make it.
Who are your favorite fighters to watch right now?
-I just like to see good fights. Right now I like to watch Fedor, though I wish he was more active. Of course the top guy in my weight class, GSP, is someone I always watch.
Who in your opinion is the best pound for pound fighter in the world?
-Fedor. By way of consistancy. GSP and Anderson in a tie for second.
You fought for Affliction in their last event, how did you enjoy your experience with them, and were you disappointed with the way things unfolded with them?
-It was cool fighting for Affliction, everything except for the bad fight I had. They were very professional. I just think they tried to come out a bit to hard. I would've liked to see them stick around a little longer but as it is things didn't work out for them.
When did you first decide to become a mixed martial artist and what made you want to become a fighter?
-After I was for wrestling at UN-L I was basically looking for a competitive outlet. It mostly started out as a hobby, like, hey..that looks like fun.
Who is your biggest inspiration as a fighter?
-When I first started I looked up to Kevin Randleman, the first fight I saw was the Pride show when he ko'd cro cop. But now I don't really have individual fighters I look up to. I'm just inspired by the sport in general, trying to be the best I can be.
You've fought both in Japan and in the States. Where do you prefer fighting, and why?
-Fighting in Japan is awesome. That whole atmosphere. Fighters over there are like football and baseball players here. They really respect and understand man to man combat. On the other hand there's nothing like fighting at home and having the support that comes with that.
How would you describe your fighting style to someone who hasn't seen you fight before?
-Im not sure man. I like to finish fights so I suppose that would describe my style. Good grappling, improving stand up and tenacity.
Are there any sponsors you would like to thank?
-I'd just like to thank my team. Everybody at the Bodyshop.
Thanks for taking the time for the interview Jason. Best of luck in your training and in your next fight! We'll be rooting for you!