"I've worked my butt off and I feel I really deserve a title shot. That's why I signed with Strikeforce to get a title shot. I could have went straight to the UFC. They were offering the same money, but at the end of the day, I wanted to pursue my dream of becoming a world champion and the quickest way to do that was Strikeforce. Like I said, I would like my next shot to be for the title; if not against Diaz, then against somebody else. I can't wait for this guy nor can I control what he does. It is what it is man. I just want my title shot and what I signed with these guys for. I don't want to keep fighting these non-title fights because that's not what I came here for," stated Strikeforce welterweight contender Jay Hieron as he talked about his future plans and his strong desire to fight for the Strikeforce welterweight title. Check it out!
PC: How have you been man?
JH: I've been chilling man. It's good to finally meet you.
PC: No doubt man. It's about time. You won a unanimous decision over Jesse Taylor in your Strikeforce debut. How do you feel about your performance?
JH: I felt good, especially with all of the stuff that I was going through that week with the opponent change and my sponsors not paying me because I wasn't on live TV and all of the distractions that I went through. I still went out there and got the job done. It was a lot of little distractions that I went through and I still went out there and got the job done and now it's on to the next one, you know what I mean?
PC: Not only was it not televised, but it was also a non-title fight when you were originally expecting to fight Nick Diaz for a title. How tough was that for you to deal with?
JH: It's a part of the game. That stuff happens all of the time. You train your whole camp for a fight and certain circumstances happen to where...like in my case, the guy was smoking weed and failed his drug test, but at the end of the day, I can't control any of that. The only thing that I can control is my training and the way that I perform when I get out there. You kinda gotta block things out. I'm human and that stuff affects me, but I train my mind just as much as I train my body. I feel like everything that I go through makes me that much more of a better competitor.
PC: If Diaz can't get his situation straightened out soon, would you be willing to take another fight to stay busy? What's your mindset right now?
JH: I really, really want my next fight to be for a title. I've worked my butt off and I feel I really deserve a title shot. That's why I signed with Strikeforce to get a title shot. I could have went straight to the UFC. They were offering the same money, but at the end of the day, I wanted to pursue my dream of becoming a world champion and the quickest way to do that was Strikeforce. Like I said, I would like my next shot to be for the title; if not against Diaz, then against somebody else. I can't wait for this guy nor can I control what he does. It is what it is man. I just want my title shot and what I signed with these guys for. I don't want to keep fighting these non-title fights because that's not what I came here for. I fought my last fight and I proved myself and now we have to sit at the table and see what's going on. Hopefully Nick Diaz can get his shit together and we can get out there and mix it up. I think that's a great fight, not just for me and him, but for the fans too.
PC: What do you think of Diaz as a fighter?
JH: He's good at everything, so you have to expect anything from him. He has good strikes, he has Jits and he takes guys down, but at the end of the day, I would be ready. I'm confident and, as you saw with Jesse Taylor, I came to fight and I would expect a great fight between me and Nick. I can't wait to get out there to see who the better man is.
PC: Is this a fight you're hoping they can make by the end of the year?
JH: Yeah, definitely! Hopefully end of November or December, but definitely before the change of the New Year. I'm still training; I'm cornering the boys, so I stay active even if it's not me. It's like a family that goes in one big circle. I'm already getting the itch to go back out there. The perfect time for me would be November or December some time. I just hope my next fight is for the title and against Diaz. Stuff happens all of the time though man. Alls I'm going to do is stay in shape, keep training and stay healthy.
PC: Stuff always happens, especially in the career of Jay Hieron. First the IFL, then Affliction and now you sign with Strikeforce for a title shot and that hasn't happened yet.
JH: Woo, I know man. I would be crazy to sign with another organization...and Strikeforce has been around for years. They are well-respected and well-known, but for me, people would have to be like, "What is this guy thinking? Again he is going to a new organization that is trying to come up to where the UFC is already established." But again, when I lay my head down at night, I'm still comfortable with the decision I made because it was for the title and they put some things in there that was definitely beneficial for me. So I still feel comfortable with the decision; they are a great organization and I will get my title shot, whether it is Diaz or not, but I will get my title shot and hopefully before the end of the year.
PC: It's always good to catch up with you my man; great to finally meet you. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
JH: Thanks to all of the fans that appreciate me and what I do. God bless man!
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]