There's a process to everything. If you fast track or make shortcuts in any way, and you get too much of one thing, you're just out of balance.

I've done taekwondo striking my entire life.

There are so many variables that go into a fight, you shouldn't waste your time worrying about the other fighters.

I think that's what makes me so great of a fighter. I'm crazy as hell. And fighting helps me with that.

When they asked us what we wanted to be when we grow up, in kindergarten, I always said I wanted to be a farmer.

All I can do is make sure I show up to fight, and then they have no choice but to pay me.

I love to learn, and that's the really cool thing about martial arts - you're always learning new things.

Any mistakes that I make is an investment in my future.

It's pretty cool to be called a champion.

People think after the fight you get to sit around and relax and all that. But really, people come around and family and all that, so it's a whole 'nother responsibility you have to take care of.

I'm more dramatic than other people are, or I just show it more. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I have a lot of passion.

Of course, fighting is one of the most emotional things that you can possibly do. You have to constantly deal with your emotions, especially myself. I have so many that that's where I get my energy from. But it's a matter of controlling them, and yeah, I just don't let nothing affect me.

Your mind is just like your body. It's a muscle you can train and get better at.

Fighting causes you to face life head on, because you could end up seriously getting hurt, and you could hurt somebody else. It causes both people to face the reality that we are fragile beings, but it doesn't mean we can't enjoy ourselves in the process and punch each other in the face and have a good time.

I think we have a great opportunity as fighters and athletes to be good role models. I'm by no means perfect, but I think we can try.

I'm always trying to improve, and you can't ever expect anything from me. You can always just expect me to be dangerous.

I think it's important to inspire other people to try and do things that people discourage you to do.

A lot of times, my best friend was my dog.

To me, fighting is special because that's what I enjoy to do. Every fight is a memory to me.

The learning curve, and the things that you have to adapt to on a daily basis in the UFC, is pretty crazy. It's a huge burden for anybody to have: not just the fighting itself but learning how to deal with the other responsibilities.

Money and fame, it only makes you so happy. You gotta find other reasons to fight. I want a certain amount of money to do the things that I want to do.

Mixed martial arts - there's just been a lot of trash talking and things like that. People, I feel like, aren't really being true to themselves or being honest. I don't know, maybe that's what they feel they need to do to entertain things.

My dad died, and he wasn't in my life because he had schizophrenia, so it's been something that my entire family has been fighting against since I can remember.

When you want to be a fighter, you have to give it everything you got. MMA just became who I am because of the amount of work I was putting into my training. It all starts in the gym. The hours turn into days, days into weeks, and weeks into months; it's like school - the more time you spend learning, the better you'll be prepared for a test.

Every fight is personal, but with myself.

I live in a very nice neighborhood. There's nothing that really goes on around here.

I respect my competition.

I love my 303 ladies. We go hard here, you know - we're fierce!

I wanna fight the best.

Being resourceful and creating is a big part of my Lithuanian culture. My grandfather is part of who I am, too. He was a professional wrestler. He had a very functional, very slick, long frame.

I feel like anything can be worked out; you just gotta talk through it as adults.

Martial arts is about honor and respect.

I'm sick of all the hate and anger and stuff like that going on.

What's the point of being the best in the world if you scratch and claw your way to the top, and you push everybody down instead of lifting everybody else up with you?

I've got Pat 'HD' Barry in my corner.

I've done taekwondo striking my entire life.

I think that's what makes me so great of a fighter. I'm crazy as hell. And fighting helps me with that.

All I can do is make sure I show up to fight, and then they have no choice but to pay me.

Any mistakes that I make is an investment in my future.

People think after the fight you get to sit around and relax and all that. But really, people come around and family and all that, so it's a whole 'nother responsibility you have to take care of.

Of course, fighting is one of the most emotional things that you can possibly do. You have to constantly deal with your emotions, especially myself. I have so many that that's where I get my energy from. But it's a matter of controlling them, and yeah, I just don't let nothing affect me.

Your mind is just like your body. It's a muscle you can train and get better at.

I think we have a great opportunity as fighters and athletes to be good role models. I'm by no means perfect, but I think we can try.

I think it's important to inspire other people to try and do things that people discourage you to do.

To me, fighting is special because that's what I enjoy to do. Every fight is a memory to me.

Money and fame, it only makes you so happy. You gotta find other reasons to fight. I want a certain amount of money to do the things that I want to do.

My dad died, and he wasn't in my life because he had schizophrenia, so it's been something that my entire family has been fighting against since I can remember.

Every fight is personal, but with myself.

I respect my competition.

I wanna fight the best.