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Last time we spoke you had just come out of The Ultimate Fighter house. How has that experience changed your life?
To be honest with you, it really hasn't changed all that much. Obviously, it has changed somewhat, with the UFC keeping me busy and I'm earning decent money, but it is still the same life for me. Still training the same, living the same and putting in the same effort and drive I was putting in before. I am still working my butt off, which is exactly what I've been doing all along.
You defeated Chris Camozzi in about 90 seconds. How did that feel? What was it like fighting in the UFC in Sydney?
It was a great experience to get back and fight on home soil again. I hadn't fought in Australia for a while and I forgot what it was like to fight in front of a home crowd in my own country. It was great to have their support there and it really pushed me to win that fight.
You took Camozzi down, got him to turn over and then quickly took his back. Was that your game plan?
No, that wasn't the plan at all. The plan was to get in there and keep him on his feet as much as I could. I was expecting a stand-up fight, but I saw the opportunity there and I took it. That is basically the way I fight - if I see an opportunity, no matter what is going on, I am going to take it. Obviously, we always have a game plan for every fight but Greg (Jackson) likes us to be as creative as we can and he encourages us to try things and leaves things open to our own interpretation. Sometimes you just have to get in there and try things out.
What are your expectations for the rest of this year?
I'll hopefully have a few more fights and keep working my way up the ranks. Hopefully I'll just finish the year strong.
Are you expecting to be (or have you been) offered a bout with Mark Munoz, who recently TKO'd CB Dollaway?
I was offered a fight to fill in while I was in Australia for someone else, but I don't even know much about it. It wasn't long at all after my UFC 127 fight so it was too close to the last match. But I don't know who my next [UFC] opponent will be, but hopefully I'll find out soon and we'll go from there.
What are your thoughts on UFC's takeover of Strikeforce?
You know, UFC is a business and they are just trying to be the best business they can be. It makes our job tougher, though, because we really have to perform better and the pressure is on because they will be cutting a lot more people now because of all the fighters in the competition. But it just means we have to go in there and fight harder and show our best.
In a recent statement, Dana White said that this could help lead to more shows in Australia, where he'd like to do two major shows a year and maybe six smaller ones - what are your thoughts on that?
I think it would be awesome and it would lend itself to some lesser-known Australians getting a chance to step up and prove that they can fight and give them an opportunity to get into the UFC, and then come over to the States and get their names on the big cards. I think it's just great for the sport and a good opportunity to expand the brand. The UFC are really smart in everything they do and I think it would work out great if that is what they go on to do.
At the press conference after UFC 127, someone suggested you and Michael Bisping could be coaches on a possible England-vs-Australia series of The Ultimate Fighter. Would you be keen on that?
Yeah, absolutely, I would love to do that, if I was presented with that opportunity. Maybe once I've had a few more fights, down the track hopefully I will be ready for something like that. If they asked me now I would do it tomorrow, but I have to find my spot too, so once I get a few more fights under my belt, hopefully I can get myself in there. I would love that opportunity; it is something that I dream about. Especially coming from The Ultimate Fighter myself - it would show a good progression and prove that I've gotten better and prove that I deserve a shot at something like that. Plus, I have a huge advantage knowing most of the guys back home. I have fought with a lot of them and I still follow what's happening in Australian MMA. I still keep in touch and I love to see how they're progressing.
Would you like to fight Michael Bisping?
Absolutely! I would fight him right now if they let me. What were the major advances in your game that came from moving to Jackson's camp - and specifically, those that could not have been made if you'd stayed Down Under?
There's nothing that I couldn't have attained at Integrated back in Australia with Dan Higgins and the crew. It is mainly about the opportunities that have opened up here since I arrived - like joining The Ultimate Fighter and stuff like that. It was getting tough to get a gig back home and most people had no idea about fighting. Obviously, working with Greg Jackson is only going to help my game - it was a great opportunity and I took it.
What have been the biggest sacrifices you've made to get where you are?
I have made a lot of sacrifices. I never get to see my family - my brothers are like my best friends and I don't get to see them. I've had a relationship break-up because I couldn't stay in Australia; I had to come back here. There are a lot of things I have sacrificed to be here and hopefully it will work out in the end. I want to do something with my life, I want to prove something and I'll do whatever it takes to achieve my goal.
And do you think the average fan understands the level of commitment and sacrifice required to make it into the UFC?
I'm not sure if they would understand it all; everything that we go through and all the sacrifices that have to be made. That's not just me, but every fighter competing in MMA. We are living our dream job, but you still have to sacrifice to get there.
For the hungry young fighter out there who dreams of one day fighting in the Octagon, what advice would you give?
Just keep training and keep at it as hard as they can. Listen to their coaches and take every opportunity that is offered to them. Basically, just always train as hard as you can.
On returning to Australia, do you notice any major changes in the MMA game or scene locally, since you left? Every time I come home I notice everyone getting better and better. There is a lot of great talent in Australia; the fighters just need the opportunity to fight on bigger cards.
Like you said, if the UFC are going to go forward with those kind of plans, it will be great and I believe Australia has the talent to compete at that level.
Now you've made it to the big league, is there anyone you'd like to thank?
I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for the guys back home at Integrated MMA, and Dan Higgins and the rest of the crew. That was the first step in my career and it got me to where I am now. Without them, I wouldn't be here now, so I like to thank those guys as much as I can.
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