I just have to do what I have to do. I have to defend my belt.

Even when I was fighting in China I met some guys on the local circuit that we're fighting, they didn't enjoy it, they wanted to be musicians and do other things, but they're just fighting because it pays the bills and they get money for it.

I know what I bring to the table, I know my work. That's why I'm able to push for what I want.

Kids will tell me 'oh I want to be like you when I grow up,' you know. I just thought 'nah, don't be like me, be like you,' because first of all they don't really know me but second of all I understand what they're trying to say but I just let them know - be like you.

I've already made my own mistakes in this game, even in the UFC. I'm just smart about how I make mistakes.

The amount of work we have to do to get to that Octagon, we should be getting paid what we're worth.

I just want to fight the best.

Aang is an Airbender, and he became the Avatar after the last one died. He has to realize his destiny as the Avatar by mastering all of the elements - earth, fire and air. For me, I feel like I'm mastering all the different styles or elements of MMA. It's my destiny to become the Avatar of this game.

I am not going to be one of these guys who doesn't defend his belt. I am going to defend my belt actively.

I make moves on my terms.

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.

I get really aggravated if I don't train, if I don't let that testosterone out.

I don't focus on anyone but myself.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a beautiful thing.

There doesn't need to be hatred after a fight, because it's all said and done. I'm cool with a lot of my opponents in the UFC. There's people I've fought who were my friends in kickboxing tournaments and after we were still cool.

A lot of guys just can't handle the spotlight and the pressure, so they shy away from it, like 'oh, I don't want to be in it.' That's never me.

A fighter walks in the room and people are like 'oooo' because everyone is trying to be a tough guy.

Uriah Hall, you ever play that game Tekken where you just button bash? I always think that's what he looks like. He's just button bashing and hoping something cool will come out of it.

If you visibly compromise someone or hurt someone, or hurt their vision, you're not supposed to still just stand there and wait for them to come to you.

I've been a heavyweight in boxing, in kickboxing. I'll do it in again in MMA.

I don't just think about the belt, I think past the belt.

I'm not trying to be one of those guys that's bigger than everyone else in the weight class.

In boxing, you've got CTE from head trauma constantly.

Coming up in this country, I've seen it so many times. When you see somebody rising you want to tear them down because you feel inadequate and you want to call it humble.