"I want to be in the fights that everyone sits and watches. I just want to be in good fights the rest of my career. I don't want to be that guy where fans are changing the channel and can't watch. Whether I get knocked out or I'm knocking somebody out I just want to be in memorable fights," stated UFC lightweight contender Rob Emerson as he talked about his future plans. Check out what else he had to say as he talks about EliteXC, the current cast of TUF and much more.
PC: How is everything going Rob?
RE: Good. Everything is going good.
PC: Have you received any word on your next fight?
RE: No. They were supposed to give me an opponent a couple of weeks ago, but I'm thinking in January. I know there are 2 cards in January, the one in Dublin, Ireland and the other one, that BJ Penn-GSP card, which is pretty cool.
PC: Do you like to travel to fight, like say if they put you on the card in Ireland?
RE: Yeah, for sure. I didn't do this thing for the money, especially when I first started because there wasn't a lot of money in it. I did this for a chance to travel. I got to fight in Japan and all over the US. It's cool! It is one of the perks of the job.
PC: What is your training regimen like right now?
RE: I'm in more like a maintenance phase. I'm doing a lot of weightlifting and body conditioning stuff right now. I'm like 180, which is the biggest I've ever been, and it's like all lean muscle too.
PC: What is your take on strength and conditioning coaches in the sport?
RE: I think that's just the extra in any sport and it's important. Whether you are a professional or not, hiring a professional in that one area can only help. Weightlifting and body conditioning helps in every sport for every athlete.
PC: What did you think about UFC 89 in the UK?
RE: It was cool. I liked Leben's fight; it was back and forth. Lytle's fight was nice. It was a good Spike Fight Night. Obviously I don't think it was the caliber of a PPV fight. The main event was good enough for a Fight Night.
PC: Who are some of the guys you are training with to maintain right now?
RE: Everyone is pretty much off right now, but we got Giva Santana, Bao Quach, J-Roc, Shane Del Rosario and we have some guys that we built up that are going to be fighting on some smaller shows. We have Aaron Wetherspoon too in KOTC. We have some pretty good guys. A lot of tough guys come through there and train.
PC: It's always good to have other organizations to fall back on and to have for some guys that are coming through the ranks. What did you think of EliteXC folding?
RE: Oh shit, I didn't even know that happened. Oh shit! After that last Kimbo show, huh? Damn! They let all of their fighters go?
PC: Yes, and the November 8th card with Diaz-Alvarez is off as well.
RE: That's not happening? Ah, no! Fuck, I was looking forward to that fight man. Geez, I wonder where all of these fighters are going to go now? That's crazy how all of these shows pop up, but dude, the UFC seems to be the only one that has it figured out. You look at all of these other shows and no matter who they have backing them, in 2 or 3 years, they're done. The UFC is a brand and it's established. People that are not even that big of a fan go, "Oh, you do UFC?" I have to tell them I'm a MMA fighter, but the UFC is the organization I fight for. UFC has built such a brand that people almost see it as a sport. I think it's huge they have the money to back it and they kind of made Las Vegas their territory. No other show has made it in Vegas. Pride did their show in Vegas and they got bought out and shut down and then Affliction tried to do their show in Vegas and something popped up and they ended up not doing that. I'm just honored to be fighting in the UFC. They're going to be around; I don't see them going anywhere.
PC: What are you looking to get out of this sport Rob?
RE: I definitely want to break in the top 10 within the next year. Within my next 2 or 3 fights at the most, I want to be in the top 10. I want to get in there and get in title contention. Hopefully I can be fighting for a title in a couple of years, but we'll see what happens.
PC: Anyone in particular you would like to fight to get yourself closer to that goal?
RE: No one in particular. I just want to be in exciting fights. There are so many guys in the division it's hard to just say I want this guy or that guy. I want to be in the fights that everyone sits and watches. I just want to be in good fights the rest of my career. I don't want to be that guy where fans are changing the channel and can't watch. Whether I get knocked out or I'm knocking somebody out I just want to be in memorable fights.
PC: With the potential of the UFC adding fighters from EliteXC, do you think it's possible to keep all of you guys happy?
RE: Yeah! They're doing like 2 shows a month and me personally, I only have to do about 3 fights per year. I like to fight every 3 months or so, but they've been keeping us busy and happy so far.
PC: I know it gets tough in the house of "The Ultimate Fighter." What do you think of Junie Browning's attitude and behavior?
RE: (Laughing) I think it's entertaining. The kid is a fighter for a reason. We all have problems and stuff. I personally like Junie Browning. I like his fighting style. He attracts attention and you want that. He'll mature as a person and a fighter in the UFC. I think he has the talent, it just takes time for some fighters to mature.
PC: Looking back at your time on the show, do you wish you had to fight your way into the house or were you cool with the format you guys had?
RE: No, it was kind of cool not worrying about it, relaxing and having fun with it. It was more like a fun thing. Of course we had to train, but it was more of a fun situation.
PC: Let me know when you hear something about your next fight. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
RE: I just want everyone to keep an eye out for me next year. I plan on making a big impact on this division and get my name out there more. I want to thank David Gottesmann with DG Sports Agency for everything.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]