Ben Wall Q&A: Be happy in life and when you want something go and earn it

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts? 

One of the main lessons I have learned through MMA is that if you want to be good at something it requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice. If you work hard and make sacrifices then you can be successful in whatever you want to do. 

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts? 

I love the sport, I love to fight, I love to entertain the crowd and I love to show people what I have worked so hard to achieve. 

What and who inspires you? 

It inspires me seeing people get through hardships and become successful. Like this video a saw of a little puppy that had this disorder where his legs splayed out to the side and he tried to walk but he couldn't do anything except fall flat on his face then some people trained him and strengthened his legs and he keeps trying and eventually he learns to walk, run, and play. He becomes a happy doggy. That sort of thing. 

What's a quote that inspires you? 

The tallest oak in the forest was once just a little nut that held it's ground. 

We feature inspirational quotes from fighters on our site; any motivational or inspirational message you'd like to share with our readers? 

Be happy in life and when you want something go and earn it.

Alex Caceres Quotes

Quotes from Alex Caceres, AKA  "Bruce Leroy".

 

Try Again,Fail again. Fail better - Stan Wawrinka , The New Iron Man of Tennis

~ Nobody had defeated a World no. 1 and 2 since Sergi Brugera since 1993.

~ Nobody had ever defeated Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in a Grand Slam before.

~ Rarely, anyone has stepped up to win their first GS at the age of 28 in the presence of such  stellar opponents..

So what if you have just lost an epic match in just over five hours just 12 months back?

So what nobody predicted you to ever win a GS in the shadows of one of the greatest players in the history of tennis.

So what, you were ranked World No.8 and the Big 4 in tennis has won 34 out of the last 35 tournaments.

So what nobody in their dreams every predicted that you have the talent and ability to win a GS.

But then have you ever heard:

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.

If you haven't, then you should seriously look at a man named Stan Wawrinka who has a tattoo on his hand which says Fail Better.

Stan Wawrinka is the player who has defied everyone today to win his first grandslam at the age of 28, defeating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic for the first time in the same Grand Slam.

Stan Wawrinka is the man who stepped out of the shadows of his fellow Swiss player Roger Federer, winner of 17 GS to finally define his own glory moment by winning Australian Open for the first time.

Stan Wawrinka is the man who just 12 months back had cried his heart out after losing an epic battle against Novak Djokovic in a match which Stan should have won.

Stan Wawrinka is the man who had lost to Rafael Nadal 12 straight times before finally emerging as winner in the 13th time.

In the entire Australian Open, if there is any player who deserved to win today was Stan Wawarinka. He is the iron man who will now move on to World No. 3 ranking for the first time in his life and what a well-deserved ranking it is for him.

To have defeated the best two players and not to mention who in the history are already booked down amongst the greatest, is a feat which is worthy of unlimited praises.

Take a bow to a player who has suffered so much of pain, losses and lived in the shadow of his peers. He has achieved what anyone before the start of the tournament had thought impossible.

But then they say that

"Disappointment should always be taken as a stimulant, and never viewed as a discouragement."

 It is something to look upon to and learn from it to become the best in your field. And the opponent that Stan played against today, Rafael Nadal is the best example of the above quote. Inspite of an injury after first set and three games, he continued to play the match when he could have easily hung up his racquet. Not to mention, Nadal is the same player who was defeated 7 straight times by Novak Djokovic in 2011/2012 before he turned the tables around to win the next six matches out of nine they have played together till now.

But today it is not about Rafa, it is about a player who played his heart out to defy everyone and conquered the Mount Everest in his life.

How many of us would have actually gone and done what Stan has done today? We can look in life and see that there are handful of examples only of mental caliber of Stan Wawarinka who has shown such steely resolve in the times of adversity. If something we have to take out of today's match, it will be just one lesson:

Failures should never make you fall down because success comes from experience and experiences come from bad experiences. So whatever the difficulties that you are facing in life, get up and tell yourself in STAN THE MAN style:

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.

Also: Rafael Nadal's Injury Timeouts-Strategy or Real?

Roger Federer and The Much Hyped Age Factor

Rafael Nadal - The Warrior at Heart

If you have any questions, you can contact me via twitter or facebook or my e-mail: apekshaha@gmail.com

Rafael Nadal's Injury Timeouts-Strategy or Real?

Rafael Nadal took a contentious time out today for back injury at Australian Open Finals against Stan Wawarinka, only to be booed by the crowd as soon as he entered the arena. Was it a time delaying tactic or a genuine time out?

There has been a lot of talk going on about Rafael Nadal’s contentious time delaying tactics that are being employed by him during the matches to ruffle his opponents
.

Let’s look back at a few timeouts taken by Nadal during important matches:

1)   Finals at Monte-Carlo, 2008- Federer was leading 5-2 in the first set and Nadal calls for a timeout. When treatment was over, Nadal played brilliantly to defeat Federer. (This is of importance as Fed then lost French Open and then Wimbledon in the epic match to Nadal)

2)   Finals at Hamburg, 2008: A time break, which lasted for 6 minutes, was called by Nadal for thigh massage, just before Federer was going to serve for the set.  Obvious result: Federer lost his own serve and eventually the match.

3)   Wimbledon 2008: It is well known to the world about the time taken by Nadal/Djokovic between serves. In the epic final Nadal, on an average, took around 30 seconds (maximum went to around 50 seconds) between his serves against Federer who took on an average 20 seconds.(Rule was for 25 seconds)

4)   Wimbledon 2010: Against Philipp Petzschner, he called his trainer numerous times on the court. Nadal won, 6-4, 4-6, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-3. Petzschner said he did not notice a difference in Nadal’s movements before and after the timeouts.

5)   Wimbledon 2011: Nadal calls for a timeout at 6-6 in the first set and goes on to win the match against Del Potro.

After the match today, it was told that he felt back problems during the warm up before the match. Was this statement a strategy to calm the outside world down or was it actually an injury; only Nadal can tell. But one thing is for sure, we cannot undermine the determination of this player. Nadal's sportsmanship can be a question but his records are unbelievable and will go down as one of the greatest in tennis history.

What  do you think? 

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If you have any questions, you can mail me at apekshaha@gmail.com

(Link to previous post - Try Again,Fail again. Fail better - Stan Wawarinka , The New Iron Man in Tennis)

Ben Henderson: The biggest factor between winning and losing is the mental approach.

Benson Henderson on how important mindset is to fighting at the top level:

The biggest factor between winning and losing is the mental approach.

The Power of the Present Moment Promises the Potential of Peak Performance

I must not fear, fear is the mind killer, fear is the little death

Royston Wee: Control fear and exploit it to your fullest potential

Royston Wee, the first UFC fighter from Singapore, answers some questions for MMAquotable.com

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts?
That there is a logic to success in life as well as in MMA. Effort isn't spent, it's invested. Everything that I do in practice, in training, it pays me back many times over in the cage.

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts?
To be the best that I can be. I have yet to find a proving ground more complete, more honest, than in MMA. Also, my friends and family who support me, my teammates, they get me through the toughest times.

Who and what inspires you?
In terms of sports personalities, I have to say GSP. In my personal career, my head coach, Bruce Loh, who was Singapore's first professional MMA fighter long before MMA was popular.

What's a quote that inspires you?
"Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability." - Mahatma Gandhi

We feature inspirational quotes from fighters on our site; any motivational or inspirational message you'd like to share with our readers?
It's alright to have fear in ourselves. The creator instilled fear in us to remind us that there's no room for complacency. Do not let fear control you, but you control fear and exploit it to your fullest potential no matter what you are doing in life, not just fighting.

Rafael Nadal - The Warrior at Heart

"Your playing hand has just been taped because of blisters, it's bleeding and paining. "

What will you do if you will have to go out and serve?

Probably you will still be feeling that pain and not able to play with full force or maybe play at your 50% potential.

That's what generally majority of the players would have done. But this scenario did not happen today. Instead three aces  were dished out consecutively. How did this happen?

This is because the player in question was none other than Rafael Nadal. A blistering hand, stunning shotmaking from his opponent and trailing behind 2-4 in the second set and 4-5 in the third set, still Rafael Nadal was able to ease his way out of the match in straight sets.

The analysis can be read anywhere but what really spiked up my interest was the ability of Rafael Nadal to overcome such difficult situations in the match.  He was 2-4 down and still won the second set 5-7 even though Kei Nishikori was the better player for the majority of the set. Even with blisters in his left hand, he chased each and every ball with the ferocity of a tiger, he hit each and every shot faster than the speed of his opponent's shots, and stood his ground irrespective of the barrage of winners that were thrown at him from the other end.

What made this match even more interesting was the way Rafael Nadal handled the tough situations. Even down at 4-5 in the third set, he broke Kei Nishikori back again with ease to level the third set at 5-5 and then won the set 7-6.

This match clearly showed why Rafael Nadal is undoubtedly the toughest player on the tennis circuit.  It's not easy to break down his mental toughness and it was clearly evident in today's match. For me, it was stunning to see how  quickly he was able to recover from a break down and still go on to emerge the winner at the end after every downward curve. It was not just once or twice but it was in every set. In life, every time we have been down, how many times do we get up and face the situation with full force having belief in your abilities, confident that you will come out on top?

That's what you learn from this champion, that you get down and you get up, you get down again but you get up again and so on.Once you learn the craft of embracing the challenges and knock downs that come through your way in matches or life, you have to know fully well that hanging in there, giving your 100% will eventually knock out any tough situation that you may be in . That's what Rafael Nadal does the best and in my mind there is no player who can surpass this champion when it comes to getting up from the constant knockdowns that may come in their way.

That is why they say,

"It does not matter whether you get knocked down or not, what matters is whether you got up."

So next time, there is a challenge in your life, get up and face it up like Rafael Nadal.

If you have any questions, you can contact me via twitter or facebook or my e-mail: apekshaha@gmail.com

Also: Roger Federer and The Much Hyped Age Factor

Frustrated or Disappointed - The Only Way Out?

Maurio Shogun Rua: I love fighting, it's who I am

 

Shogun on his passion for fighting.

Douglas Lima: Work hard and believe and you'll achieve any goal you're after

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts?
Number one thing I learned from martial arts is respect! Very important to have that among the sport.

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts?
I do it because I love it and also for my family. The motivation comes from myself because I have to feed my family and pay my bills. Enough motivation there to go and perform my best!

What and who inspires you?
My mom and dad inspires me. They worked hard and gave me the life I have today. I love them both very much and try my best to be like them. They're my inspiration!

What's a quote that inspires you?
"I can everything through Christ who strengths me." I'm a believer and if I work hard I can do anything with God's help. It's a quote I carry with me always.

We feature inspirational quotes from fighters on our site; any motivational or inspirational message you'd like to share with our readers?
Work hard and believe and you'll achieve any goal you're after!

Q&A with Wilson Reis: Always believe in yourself

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts?
To believe in my self and in what I am working on it, and to be more a patient person.

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts?
The opportunity to showcase my positions and my style to the world.

Who and what inspires you?
My inspiration is my goals that I set before every fight.

What's a quote that inspires you?
Your only are as good as your last fight.

We feature inspirational quotes from fighters on our site; any motivational or inspirational message you'd like to share with our readers?
My motivational message is to always believe in yourself and that you are able to conquer anything you set your goals to it.

Josh Thomson: If you want something in life, go get it

Josh Thomson on pursuing your passions, following your dreams, and going after what you want in life.

Q&A with Robert Whiteford

 

 

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts?
To be humble and to train harder than you think you can.

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts?
To entertain the masses.

Who and what inspires you?
 My gran inspires me and the underdog that wins inspires me.

Can you share a motivational quote for readers?
My quote is, "Dream big, believe, and never give up."




 



    

Q&A with Roland Delorme

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts?
I've learned that anything is possible as long as you want it bad enough and hard work pays off.

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts?
What motivates me is the thrill of victory and competing against the best in the world.

Who and what inspires you?
My daughter inspires me to succeed just to show her chasing your dream is worth all trials and tribulations that come with it.

What's a quote that inspires you?
Don't be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)




 

Roger Federer and The Much Hyped Age Factor

"Your age is just a number. It should never hinder you from accomplishing your goals."

This is a quote we have heard  multiple times and yet, we don't restrain ourselves from making judgments about our lives and even better, other's lives. Many critics have been vociferous in their opinion about whether Roger Federer should have retired or not at this stage of his life. Many people have already written him off and never leave a chance to downplay his game.

To them, I want to ask a simple question:

Since when have the so called critics started predicting the future of any player or person so correctly?

Just one year back, the same so called critics were finding it hard to believe that Rafael Nadal can even make a  comeback after his injuries and now one year later, they are calling him perhaps the greatest player ever in tennis.

It is not only about tennis, if we look at any field, critics and people have always tried to downplay anyone in the society who has tried to defy the norms.

~ When a 75 year old man tried to complete the hottest ultra-marthon of the year, people didn't believe he will be able to do it.

~ When at the age of 38,  Károly Takács tried to win the Olympics Gold Medal with his left hand ( as his right hand was badly injured), nobody believed he can do it.

~ When the first time, it was thought that two people can talk to each other sitting miles away from each other, it was considered out rightly impossible. And yet telephone was invented.

I can go on and on about examples of people defying the norms, going against what people/critics thought as irrational and still in the end coming out victorious and more satisfied in their goals. So people might go on and on about why Federer should retire and stand no chance, I believe the only person that should take this decision is Roger Federer himself and no one else.

The question that we need to ask ourselves is can future be really predicted? No, it can never be but what is more important is that people should follow their own passion and what they believe in. Even in your own lives, people will come and tell you that it is not possible and it is foolish to continue this path. More often than not, it is not about how many people think you can do it, in the end it is only you who is more than enough to make your dream become a reality.

The same is true with Roger Federer. It's his belief that matters at this stage.  Why? Because

"The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen."

This is what the great champion had to say in an interview when people inquired about his retirement ( courtesy a friend who pointed out this to me)

When i was starting my career, lot of people doubted me. THey saw the talent but werent sure if i will win any. But he believed in myself. I am almost in a similar place now but i believe that i can win and so i will keep playing and keep trying.

 If Ken Rosewall could have won  grand slams at an age of 35, 36 and 37, I see no reason why Roger Federer cannot go on and win his 18th Grand Slam at 32. 

PS: Yes, people will talk about his failures and disappointments of past year as reasons for his retirement, in my next post, I will address this age old question as to why failures should never be considered as a sign to quit. Stay tuned:).

 

If you have any questions, you can contact me via twitter or facebook or my e-mail: apekshaha@gmail.com

Andy Ogle: Nothing worth having is easy to get

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts?
Nothing worth having is easy to get.

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts?
I'm naturally competitive and MMA just felt like peanut butter to me (jelly).

Who and what inspires you?
Training so hard that I wont stop and knowing my fate is greatness inspires me to drive harder.

What's a quote that inspires you?
Theodore Roosevelt's The Man in the Arena quote, embrace the grind, and everything happens for a reason

Joe Rogan on ethics, global community, happiness, loving humanity

Joe Rogan on realizing that the direction and momentum of the planet is askew and needs to be geared more towards a positive future:

Stephanie Skinner: Honor and Discipline have been instilled within my soul

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts?

The main lessons I have learned...definitely has made me an all around more disciplined person and more respectful of everything in life. The life of a fighter is one of honor and discipline and those values have been more instilled within my soul.

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts?
What motivates me to compete now is my drive to compete and be the best fighter I can be; my passion for the sport. I started my pro career out rough 0-3 and then my 3rd loss in a row was to my current coach Diana Rael, she dealt me my worse beating, and from then on out all I want to do is finish people viscously how she finished me. My coach Diana motivates me a lot by just being the great coach and fighter that she is. Trained under our head coach Ben; they both motivate me a lot.

What and who inspires you?
I am inspired by coaches and team, they are the ones who are in the gym day in and day out and we push each other to our limits and make each other better.

What's a quote that inspires you?
Winners never quit and quitters never win. I hold this message close to my heart, I am a firm believer in and was raised upon it, I have never quitted anything although I may have wanted, winners push past it and continue forward.

We feature inspirational quotes from fighters on our site; any motivational or inspirational message you'd like to share with our readers?
My message would be…no matter the struggle, if you believe you can and want to bad enough, you can climb any ladder you want. I am proof, started out 0-3 I now have a 5 fight contract for a nationally televised promotion and I am making my name bigger and will continue to as well.

Mike Rio: I want to be remembered for something positive and epic when I die

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts?
Well just one lesson more then most comes to mind: you are going to get punched in the face! So might as well come to terms with it. (laughs)

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts?
To be the best! And I want to be remembered for something positive and epic when I die.

What and who inspires you?
My training partners. They do the same training I do day in and day out and push me to always be the best.

What's a quote that inspires you?

We feature inspirational quotes from fighters on our site; any motivational or inspirational message you'd like to share with our readers?
I read this on another schools locker room wall before a match my freshman year and it's always stuck with me: "Do what has to be done, When it has to be done, As well as it can be done, Do it that way all the time"

Q&A with World Series of Fighting heavyweight Dave Huckaba

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts?
Patience and self discipline.

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts?
My personal problems and past pushes me to fight and train.

What and who inspires you?
God my wife and kids motivate me.

What's a quote that inspires you?
The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want.,best quote of all, anything is possible when you put God first.

UFC strawweight Rowdy Bec Rawlings on motivation, positivity, and passion

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts?
I've learnt to respect others and myself. MMA is a very humbling sport.

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts?
I love the sport, love and passion for MMA is enough motivation for me and I'm very competitive so I am motivated to be the best!!

What and who inspires you?
My family, coaches and teammates inspire me. Surround yourself with positive people and positive things will happen.

What's a quote that inspires you?
If you ain't first you're last!


 

Bruce Lee Be Water quote meaning for life

Don't get set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be like water. Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water. Now you put water in a cup, it becomes the cup; You put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle; You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.

This is a classic quote from martial arts legend Bruce Lee which can be applied in a myriad ways in life.

By not setting your mind into rigid systems and solely doing things in a certain way, you allow yourself to grow, adapt, improve, and refine techniques. And that can be for anything; whether it is martial arts, business, parenting, or any aspect of your existence. So emptying your mind allows you to grow.

Water is a substance which can adapt to any situation. It can flow, move around things, and adapt to whatever occurs and whatever place it has inhibited. If we can be like water in life, that allows us to be able to adapt and thrive and flow naturally to all situations.

If you look at mixed martial arts, if you are comfortable in all situations, then it doesn't matter where the fight goes. If you are taken down, you can thrive there. If it's in the clinch, you can thrive there. If it's standing at a distance, you can thrive there. Being comfortable and being able to flow and relax in all situations, like water, that makes you all the more beautiful a human being.

All this can be applied to life. If you can flow with all the adversity and adapt to everything, your quality of life improves. It isn't necessarily easy to right off the bat, but neither is walking for the first time. Neither is driving a car, or riding a bike, or using new technology for the first time, and on and on and on. But before you know it, with some practice, it can be done unconsciously. You don't even have to think about it. And since we are over 70% water we can rejoice over the fact that we can easily and naturally follow all this beautiful wisdom which water provides us with.

UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush: I respect to a degree any man who works hard for his goals

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts?MMA showed me success comes from hard work and dedication.

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts?
Greatness.

What and who inspires you?
Ayrton Sennan said I have no idols I admire work, dedication, and competence.
I live by that quote.

We feature inspirational quotes from fighters on our site; any motivational or inspirational message you'd like to share with our readers?
I respect to a degree any man who works hard for his goals.

"Drillers Make Killers": Q&A with Bellator lightweight David Rickels

 

What are some of the main lessons you have learned through mixed martial arts?
I've learned that. Fighting is the easy part. The training, diet, and mental preparation are the hardest part

What motivates you to compete in mixed martial arts?
My motivation is not only my family but myself. I like to push myself. This sport shows me to do just that.

What and who inspires you?
My father inspires me. He is really the man I aspire to be. Great moral fortitude and strength.

What's a quote that inspires you?
Quote by Tyson. "Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face"

We feature inspirational quotes from fighters on our site; any motivational or inspirational message you'd like to share with our readers?
I'd like to share. "Drillers Make killer's. Practice makes perfect. The effort you put into any sport determines your success"

UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson on using Nervousness and Nerves

Sometimes fear can take over and the nerves of competition get the best of you. In life and in sports, nervousness management and anxiety control can be key factors to success. You can take the approach you're going to thrive under pressure and make the nerves your friend as opposed to a foe.

UFC welterweight Stephen Thompson has used his Karate background in the physical and mental plane in MMA. He has used the technique in the cage and used the mindset of discipline of mind outside the cage. That mental aptitude allows him to successful make nerves work for him as opposed to bring him down.

UFC's Dominick Cruz: Lack of Conditioning will make a coward of us all

Dominick Cruz unfortunately has been the victim of non-stop injuries and has horrific luck on that end of the mixed martial arts game. But the former UFC bantamweight champion has such a strong mindset that it is likely that he will not relent on his dream of competing in MMA and come back stronger than ever. One thing about Cruz is that he has an intense desire to outwork others and do the things that others won't do and go to insane lengths to be the best. In the past his teammate Phil Davis noted that if you do just half the things that Cruz does in training you could become a champion. A very strong endorsement from Davis, who has been around the wrestling and MMA game for quite some time now and has achieve ample success in his career.

For Cruz his hard work in training makes him fearless in the cage and allows him to push an extraordinary pace in competition. That intense conditioning is what quells fear and allows courage to blossom forth.

UFC heavyweight Frank MIr on finding out how good he can possibly be

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir has had his share of highs and lows, but one thing which has remained consistent throughout those peaks and valleys is his dedication to improvement. He really wants to find out how far he can take his ability and wants to realize his potential as a martial artist. That desire to find out how far he can go has led to constant experimentation in training methods, diet, and everything in between for Mir. He has faced a wide variety of monsters in the UFC from Tim Sylvia, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Junios Dos Santos, Roy Nelson, and Alistair Overeem. But no matter the outcome, Frank Mir never relents on his unending quest for improvement.

UFC bantamweight Urijah Faber on smashing limitations

Urijah Faber didn't hesitate to take his UFC 169 title fight against Renan Barao, despite it being on short notice. Faber is a different animal all together not because his talent and hard work, but his mind. He is perennially positive and has a mindset where nothing is impossible. He doesn't have to worry about limitations because he never burdened his consciousness by placing them there in the first place.

Sara McMann on fighting for the love of the game

Sara McMann on loving the game she plays as being her main motivation, which reduces pressure in competition:

I compete for love of the sport. I just don't put any pressure on myself whatsoever. I always go out there and I perform to the best of my ability, and sometimes I've won and sometimes I've lost. And I leave everything out there...I don't really do it for anybody else but just personal life satisfaction.

Chris Weidman on getting lucky against Anderson Silva

"Luck is opportunity meets preparation". That's a definition that a lot of people place on luck, and within the context of mixed martial arts it makes sense. In a sport where anything can happen, there are so many ways to win (and lose), and you will see an infinite amount of endings to a fight. Sometimes it comes down to who capitalizes first and who is able to take advantages of any opportunities that arise.

Chris Weidman has been branded lucky twice against Anderson Silva, despite winning all four rounds in which they fought one another. Nonetheless, Weidman brushes aside the seemingly derogatory context in which some people put on the word "luck" with regards to him. He has his own definition for luck and is happy to be called lucky within that context. It's a great tool anyone can use. The meaning of words and things people say about your is up to you. Reality is subjective and you place meaning upon it.

Lyoto Machida eyeing Chris Weidman or Vitor Belfort's UFC title in 2014

Lyoto Machida was the juggernaut who lit up the light-heavyweight class at one time and worked his way to becoming the UFC champion in that weight class. He's looking to transfer those skills to 185 and come out with another belt in 2014. First up for him is Gegard Mousasi, which is very challenging test. Should he get past him, he will be looking for a title shot against the winner of the Chris Weidman and Vitor Belfort in mid 2014.

Part of Machida's success is his positive mindset and mental approach to fighting. He is extremely goal oriented and has re-invigorated his career at middleweight with a big knockout over Mark Munoz in his 185 pound debut. He was dejected after losing a close decision to Phil Davis, and not getting a title shot against Jon Jones, when it was expected he had it in the bag. Nonetheless, Machida has persevered. Just two and a half months after losing to Davis, he scored the big KO over Munoz and is possibly just a win away from getting a chance to win two belts in two different weight classes. He has his his eye on nothing but gold this year as he is a big dreamer with big goals.

Bernard Hopkins quotes

Bernard Hopkins quotes. Inspirational words from the legendary boxer.

Anderson Silva will make a comeback to fighting

 

Anderson Silva says that he wants to come back to fight, assuring his training and friend, Pedro Rizzo, that he will be back. Despite the horrific leg breaking injury he sustained in his rematch with Chris Weidman at UFC 168, Silva is confident in his return. This ordeal falls in line with his viewpoint that champions are defined through tough times, as opposed to the easy ones.

More Anderson Silva quotes.

Rashad Evans and Chris Weidman similarities (Psychology Degree and more)

Rashad Evans and Chris Weidman are quite similar in there respective careers. While Weidman is a middleweight and Evans a light-heavyweight, they have a lot in common.

Firstly they are both amateur wrestlers and both have admitted in the past they felt a little bit empty for not giving their 100% in their amateur wrestling career. That feeling of not leaving everything on the mat compelled them to become extremely hard workers.

Interestingly enough, both Evans and Weidman went on to earn degrees in Psychology. This knowledge of the human mind has allowed them to channel the right mindset to achieve peak performance and win. Weidman on the road to becoming the UFC champion, and defeating Anderson Silva twice, knew what he needed to do to be mentally ready to fight a mythical legend in Silva. He knew he had to not put him on a pedestal, mentally be ready for anything, and incessantly visualize success. He talks about really getting into the visualization of being champion and make it so real that it becomes every day life.

Evans also has a very strong mental game, which has been elevated through his psyche studies. He often speaks of visualization and how is has helped him in the cage, as well as the repetition affirmations. He uses visualization and affirmations so intensely that the become deep convictions, which allow him to achieve success and become a UFC champion.

Joe Rogan on his biggest accomplishment

Q&A with Mike Swick; talks Thailand, inspiring people, returning to MMA in 2014

What have you learned from living in Thailand and creating AKA Thailand there?

I have learned a great deal about business, especially doing business in a foreign country. Its been a challenging but exciting venture that has kept me interested and eager the whole way through. Finally we are finishing up construction to open next month! 

What are the Thai people like and how has living in Thailand changed your perspective on life?

The Thai people in general are very friendly. It has been a great experience living in Phuket, as its one of my favorite spots on earth. Very beautiful, peaceful and relaxing. 

When can we see you fight again in the UFC?

I am going to return in 2014 if all goes as planned with my health. Still dealing with my esophageal issue and a couple injuries, so I have just been focused on getting better and building this gym.

What are some of the big lessons you've learned through being a part of MMA that carry over into life outside the cage?

One of the biggest lessons is the belief in hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. I believe almost anything can be obtained through hard work and sacrifice. I swear by it and always have. You also have to ride the storm out when things are not so good. I have been at many crossroads in my MMA career and during this project where I thought things could be over. Sometimes I couldn't even come up with how they could recover, but I just keep pushing forward, sometimes blindly. In the end, things just seem to work out and there is always a reward to grab for that commitment. 

What inspires you?

Success. Seeing success and hearing about success. Success cannot be given or bought. You gotta earn it and thats what makes it so rare but rewarding.

What is the most fulfilling part of being a mixed martial artist?

Impacting people. Its really awesome to hear stories about people who are true fans and look to fighters for inspiration. Going through my medical problems, I have been in contact with many people like myself. I helped a lot of them and that feels great. I think success is measured by how many people you can touch, inspire and change. Not by how much money you can make or how many cars you drive.

Do you feel there's a difference between being a fighter and a martial artist and what do you consider yourself to be?

I think there is a difference between a fighter and a martial artist. I feel I am both. I started out as a fighter and became a martial artist. A fighter is a person who will fight for what he wants. Someone who will not take no for an answer and will pick himself up no matter how many times he falls. When you can take that guy and train him in martial arts, he can become a great mixed martial artist.

What's next for you in 2014?

2014 is hopefully going to be a big year for me. I am looking to launch a super gym that is like nothing ever created before. Three acres of first class facilities catering to fitness and fighting, right in the heart of one of the most beautiful islands in the world. I want to create the worlds largest and most complete fight camp ever. If that sounds kind of ambitious, hang out with me for a day and you will think this is just small talk. (smiles)