My dad took us to a couple of karate classes when we were young but we didn't really get into it.

I guess growing up, it was pretty much a normal life, as I got older I used to get into some fights but nothing unusual.

I always have fighting inside my head and heart.

It is not constantly in my head that I am a champion or a UFC fighter. I forget about that. It is very important to other people, and I am glad to have the support, but fighting is my passion. It is what I like to do.

I'm definitely excited to be a part of the UFC spreading out globally around the world.

Dennis Siver, he's a tough guy.

I'm sure there are people in all sports that bend the rules but I'm not going to sit here and point the finger.

I don't know where that thought came from and I don't know why I had that thought, but I thought I was the best fighter on the whole planet.

I guess looking back you're only as good as you think you are. You can lie to yourself and that's what you have to do.

Back then, 22, I just loved the sport so much. It was such an exciting time, it was fun. It was an amazing ride.

It doesn't do me any good to train for three months, and I don't get to fight.

It ain't the technique, it ain't the speed, it ain't the power. It's who wants it the most.

It does blow me away, though, when I see Werdum just got the belt at 37 and then you see Mark Hunt still fighting at 40. All these different things. It is amazing. I don't know. They're out there, they're doing it.

I don't miss a three-month training camp. I don't miss fight week. But I do miss being the baddest man on the planet.

The second Hughes fight was a huge reality check. But it didn't hit me right away.

Training in Brazil at Nova Uniao was nothing short of amazing. I can't thank Leo Santos and coach Andre Pederneiras enough for their efforts.

I have a good team around me and I don't feel anything is anywhere near out of my league.

There's more opportunity for me to get three UFC belts at 145 than going to 185.

I want to get one more world title. Three titles at three weight classes, and without a doubt 145 is my best option.

Some days you think nothing surprises you anymore and other times I'm thinking I can't believe this journey and how it went down.

Fighting is still not a sport for me.

This is a fight. This isn't putting a ball in a hole. This has always been a fight for me, and I just love it when it's that way.

Fighting is still a fight for me. It always has been.

I'm not a great athlete that can play any sport. But one thing I could always do is... fight back.