Ultimate Fighter winner Roy Nelson opens up about his UFC 137 preparations
Roy Nelson wanted to be a baseball player.
Year-round, the Las Vegas native could be found on the diamond improving his game in hopes of one day displaying his skills in front of a capacity crowd. Somewhere along the journey, his desire for the game began to fade, but his passion for competition was never extinguished.
Fast forward 15 years and Nelson, having found the crowds and a passionate fan base, rests easy, because he knows he found what he was meant to do: compete as a professional mixed martial artist.
Nelson’s journey to the sport’s biggest stage may not have been typical, but the destination he’s set his sights on has never changed.
The first and only IFL heavyweight champion built his name outside of the Octagon before earning his UFC contract by winning Season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter. Along the way, he became a paradox of scorn and praise, his powerful overhand right leaving opponents on the canvas, but his physical appearance creating an aura that Nelson wasn’t approaching his craft seriously.
The criticism is something he takes in stride, and even if it did bother him, the world would never know it.
While he doesn’t withdraw from the public eye, the way he handles the media offers a glimpse into how much he values his privacy. You get nothing more than he’s willing to offer in interviews, and if pressed, Nelson has a pension for taking the conversation to parts unknown. His has a sharp wit and a sarcastic sense of humor, and when the sound bites come together, he appears to be laughing off the issues presented to him.
Never has this been more front and center than in the weeks leading up to his fight with Pride legend Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137.
The reports have been all over the map concerning his preparation, diet and motivation. While Nelson has remained tight lipped about the finer details, he wanted to make it perfectly clear his professionalism and desire to be the best fighter he can be has never been lacking.
“This talk about me finally taking fighting seriously is ridiculous. I’ve always come in prepared and I’ve always worked hard in the gym. I’ve been in this sport for a long time, and things evolve and change at a rapid pace. For this fight with Cro Cop, I’ve made some changes, but I didn’t start from scratch or completely rebuild myself. There were details I added to my camp, adjustments I felt I needed to make, but every fighter goes through that process in training.
“People want to talk about my weight, but that’s always been a topic people jump on. Every interview I’ve done for this fight that question has come up, and each time I answer it. They may not like the response I give them, but I’m not saying anything that isn’t true. The point is that I’m not doing anything for shock value. I have worked hard getting ready for Mirko and hopefully that shows come fight night.”
Training alongside Nelson is long time friend and fellow fighter Jose Salgado. As a member of “The Country Club,” he sees a different side of the UFC heavyweight. Salgado spoke about his mentor and friend, and also addressed what he feels are misconceptions about Nelson.
“Roy is far more driven and athletic than people give him credit for. I come from a college football background and I have been around athletic big men, and I’m telling you that Roy is able to do things that are surprising for a guy his size.
“He’s an extremely hard worker and this camp has been no different in that aspect. The things he’s done differently this time around are adjustments he’s making to become a better fighter. Is he doing anything drastic like trying to make it down to 205 pounds? No, he’s not, but strength and conditioning has played a larger role for him in this camp.
“When it comes to being focused, [Roy] doesn’t waiver. He gets asked the question about losing a third straight fight and I don’t believe he’s carrying that burden with him. He is going to go in there and scrap his ass off and do the best he can because that’s the only way Roy knows how to fight. One thing you can always count on from him when he enters the cage is that he came to fight. Whether it is standing in the trenches and throwing bombs or working his jiu-jitsu, Roy comes in looking to get after it.
“A lot of people say that is what they are going to do then work a game plan geared towards the judge’s score cards, but that isn’t how Roy does it. If you look at his last fight with Frank Mir you can see what I’m talking about. Mir is a world class heavyweight and Roy went in despite have pneumonia and fought him straight up. I think many other people would have been looking for a way out of that fight once it got under way, but that’s not his mentality. If you want to call that `old school’ or a `blue collar work ethic’ then so be it.”