I think the UFC's done a great job of building the brand, building the UFC, building MMA.

I'm tactical, and I have a lot of heart - something that you don't see when you watch a lot of fights.

For me, it's always the same: worrying about how I can get better, the techniques I can do.

I'm going to fight until my body says otherwise.

If you look at all aspects of all sports, everything comes down to basics and fundamentals.

My techniques are basics, but my willingness to be in the pocket and see things is very high level.

I know you can't fight forever, and there's only so long you can do this.

My coaches and I always stress getting better and working on all aspects, so I'm ready to fight and take it to the next level.

The best part about being a champion is going out and defending your belt, so that's what I plan on doing and doing it many times.

I've actually done a really good job listening to my body, relaxing. Some days you train hard, some days you rest a little bit.

Trying to get over guys and knock them out, that's what fires me up. Decision victories, whoop dee doo, but finishing guys fires me up.

Everybody would rather get a quick submission, a quick knockout.

You can only stay at a high level so long before you need to rest your body.

Everyone likes different things. Not everyone's the same. Not everyone runs their mouth. Not everyone can fight.

I can see that I can be a role model.

I think fans expect fighters to beat each other up, and what I expect out of myself is to stay of trouble.

I don't know what the fans expect out of these fighters, but I know what I expect out of myself. And that's go out there, beat people up, and just be me.

There wasn't much money in this sport when I started, but I didn't get into it because of money. I loved to fight, and I loved MMA.

I worry about myself in the ring; I worry about what I can do and how I can dictate a fight.

I was a huge Mike Tyson fan, would sit through the night watching boxing matches and would hit the bag at every opportunity I would get.

I only know I feel good when I fight.

The basics win fights.

In college, I tried to start wrestling as soon as I could and when it was available to me, as I loved competing, and then got into MMA under Pat Miletich, where I was able to sharpen all my skills and develop into a true fighter.

It has never been a motivation thing. I'm a fighter. I always show up and give it my all.