The Fighting Life: Roy Nelson Reveals All

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.”

Holding dual titles as both wife and manager, Jessy Evans has been entrenched in the fight business for years. Together they have worked to navigate his career, and while Roy’s portion takes place inside of the cage, the business dealings outside can be just as combative.

“MMA is a tough business and I don’t think that is a secret,” she explained. “People always say in this sport you are only as good as your last fight, but I think it’s more than that. I believe a fighter’s ability to build a brand or a name makes all the difference. Roy has great fans, a lot of support and it’s something he really appreciates. The criticism is beyond our control and his aesthetics have always been a target.

“In MMA a lot of things get sugar-coated, but you’ll never have to worry about Roy in that fashion. He tells it like it is, and a lot of times that is tough for people to hear and digest. He is an honest man and most of all he is honest with himself. Sometimes fighters become self-conscious about working with one another because maybe they will have to fight down the road or maybe one is a better striker or grappler. Roy is the kind of guy who will take the time to help you learn what he knows and if there is something you can teach him, then he’ll listen and learn as well.”

“Roy has the most giving heart of anyone I’ve ever met. In a sport as competitive as MMA, it’s a rare to see someone who is so focused on his goals, yet so willing to help out the people around him. At the same time, he holds loyalty in the highest regard, so while he’s open and approachable, he’s been in this business long enough to see some things for what they are.”

Salgado also spoke on the topic as well.

“Two things people never get about Roy are his selflessness and sense of humor. Today was a perfect example of how selfless Roy is. We were at Frank Mir’s gym and because of scheduling we were short on bodies. Roy had just finished his workout and saw me hitting the heavy bag and before I knew it, he was over there with mitts in his hand.

“Here is a guy who fights in less than a week for the UFC at Mandalay Bay and he’s willing to take the time to make sure someone else gets their work in as well. How many fighters on that level or any level would be willing to take the time? But that is what makes Roy different.

“There are people in this world that will do things for you but they expect something back in return. Whether it’s verbal praise or something else; there is expectation. Roy is the kind of guy that will do something for you and never bring it up again. It’s a rare quality — and extremely rare in the fight business.

“I also really think his sense of humor gets lost on people. They see bits on video that are edited and only get small portions of it. Sometimes it comes off like he is arrogant and pompous, and I can assure you he’s not like that. Roy has that bravado which is something fans see, but they never get to look at the sincere side of who he is. Granted, some of that is his fault because he loves to jab back and forth with the media, but unfortunately I believe MMA fans never truly grasp his sense of sarcasm.”

When asked about his unique sense of humor, Nelson stuck to his guns.

“What’s not to get?” he answered. “If we are going to do an interview and I commit my time then please take the time to come up with some interesting questions. I don’t think of it as being difficult because hopefully I’m helping them become better at their jobs. So the next guy they talk to they’ll be ready to ask them some real questions.

“Every interview I’ve done leading up to this fight has included a question about my weight. If the issue was genuinely about me losing a bunch of weight then I would answer it that way. Why wouldn’t I want to talk about it? But because my focus isn’t on weight loss and other motivations and factors are involved, I shoot down the questions that aren’t true. As long as I step on that scale and weigh less than 266 pounds then I’m good. As long as I come into the fight ready, prepared, and the best version of myself I can be, that is all that matters. What was the question again?”

All jokes aside, there will be a lot of eyes watching when Nelson hits the scale at the official weigh-ins on Friday. While numbers are being thrown around and the speculation continues, Delgado once again stressed the focus is in the wrong place.

“A lot of people are going to be looking at his weight for this fight and I think that is unfair. If you look at him coming through TUF, knocking out (Brendan) Schaub and (Stefan) Struve, then going through that fight with dos Santos, he was somewhat glorified for his weight. Then came the loss to Mir and all of a sudden it becomes the worst thing in the world.

Salgado continued, “All of this talk about re-invention is strange because what it means to Roy and what it means to everyone else are totally different things. If the weight comes off and his body changes, it’s a by-product of Roy Nelson working to become a better fighter. He is going to do whatever it takes to reach his goals.

“Going into this fight with Cro Cop, he’s going in there to beat Mirko Cro Cop. He isn’t worried about getting into the Octagon and looking slim. I think that is what a lot of people are focused on and that’s what I mean about it being unfair to Roy.

“People are expecting to see this totally different person come into this fight and that is not going to happen. He is going to come in a faster, stronger and improved Roy Nelson, but he won’t abandon the things that got him here. You’re still going to see that powerful overhand right, a rock solid chin, and his ability to take the fight to the ground whenever he pleases.

“That’s how Roy fights, and he’s dangerous everywhere.”

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