There's always going to be people talking so you just have to focus everyday and be the best fighter you can be in the Octagon on the day of the fight.
I fight for the women. I try to do my best inside the Octagon to fight like a man; then, people will respect girls in the Octagon.
I got to share the Octagon with Clay Guida. I got to share the Octagon with Cub Swanson. Now I'm going to share the Octagon with Frankie Edgar. These are things that, as a fighter, you always dream of.
Don't focus on the outcome, when you focus on the outcome it creates anxiety and it builds. I just need to enjoy the moment and let it be. If I just fight I know I'm going to go out there and perform and do it my best. Don't focus on winning or losing.
Maybe I'm not the best fighter, but I'm always going to fight, no matter who it is.
I'm a very respectful fighter, I don't get out of character and start talking crazy, but if you don't want to fight a fighter, or you don't think it's a good style, or it's just not time, then say that.
I know people think I'm just the Diego Sanchez from the Gilbert Melendez fight. Hook, hook, hook. A crazy brawler. But I realized the best possible fighter would not get hit. He'd close the distance and minimize the chances of the lights going out. I want to fight as long as I can and be as healthy as I can.
I'm going to be the best fighter I can be and focus on being me.
I've done nothing but show up and fight, go to work inside the Octagon, outside the Octagon, and do things right. But people want to talk about me and discredit me.
I don't ever think about, 'Aw, man, my legacy. My legacy this.' No, I just want to fight the best fights out there to fight just to prove to the world that I'm the best fighter in the world.
My number one goal was to be the best fighter ever in the Octagon. I think I can hold hands with many who can stake that claim.
Lucian Bute had the world title for five years, he made nine defenses and he's a good, good fighter. The fight before that, I beat Andre Dirrell, who comes from a good pedigree and is a hell of a southpaw. It just shows you the kind of fighter I am when I focus and do my job.
I never focus on my opponent - I focus more on myself: knowing what my strengths are, where I can take the fight, how I can win the fight, and the intensity that I'm going to bring to a fight.
Georges is one of the best guys that's ever stepped in the Octagon. That's actually the main reason I want to fight him. I look for a challenge. To be the best, you've gotta beat the best. And Georges St-Pierre is the best.
When you're young, you don't really think about what's going on. At least, in my case, I was always so hooked on being so innovative and didn't worry about what happened yesterday. I just wanted to focus on today and make it better. I was like that every day. I just made sure that every night I was at my best, at the best level I could be.
I talk with my body in the Octagon the day of the fight.
I'm just going to go out there, pop on my leather gloves, and constantly make connections outside the Octagon, and that will make me bigger in the Octagon.