Nelson: I still haven’t grown into my body yet
Roy Nelson on the twelve years he spent working in elementary school classrooms When I spoke, they listened. Even though…
Roy Nelson on the twelve years he spent working in elementary school classrooms
When I spoke, they listened. Even though I was the kind of guy who was laid-back. It’s not like I had to scare the kids into good behavior. I just spoke to them in a truthful way. I think they behaved because I wasn’t regurgitating the same stuff they heard from the others.
On when Vegas was a little country town
I was born in Las Vegas when it still had a small town vibe. It was the kind of place where everyone knew each other and helped one another out. Now it’s a big city, and everyone says and does whatever they have to just to get to the top. They step all over each other. And I see the same thing happening in this sport. I also want to be known for keeping it real and honest and positive when many people don’t.
On the road to the belt
Compared to some of the matchups other winners have had after the show, I kind of thought I was being thrown into the lion’s den. The thing about Struve is that he’s a mixed martial arts fighter in the truest sense, and he’s definitely right in the mix. But it really doesn’t matter, I want to fight the best guys out there because it’s the fastest way to the belt.
On knockouts
I obviously saw the opening for the KO during the fight. But it wasn’t something I expected to happen beforehand. I really thought I was going to submit him, but my coach always said I was going to knock him out. I guess that’s why you have trainers. They know better.
It’s a cliché, but the question is: Do you want to do what pays the bills, or do you want to do what you’re good at, even if people don’t want to see it? If it falls in the right place, I’d rather go to the ground. But then everyone’s complaining that the fat guy is just laying on his opponent. People like knockout artists. It’s that simple, and I’m fine with it. My stand-up is my worst asset – if I can beat you at it, what does that say about you as a fighter?
On preparation for 6′ 11″ opponent Stefan Struve
At least I’ll have height working to my advantage. Expect to see me use my length.
He has more experience but I think my age can make a difference.”
Just having that extra bit of life experience definitely helps as a fighter. I’m a lot smarter now than I was then. Except physically, I still haven’t grown into my body yet.
I really don’t do camps. I just train an hour and a half a day, six days a week. Some guys go twice a day, but that doesn’t mean they’re doing more. They’re taking it easy and pacing themselves, whereas I go all out.
On some days I work with one guy, another day I can work with 16 guys. But none of them are hand picked to represent Struve. Only he can do that.
I have no problem raising Struve’s hand if he beats me. I’ll always be the person that can make light of a crappy situation. I’m just a guy that’s optimistic. I’m not going to be a politician who says one thing now and something different later. It’s why the kids listened to me then, and I hope it’s why people are listening to me now.