Here are a few things my wife caught me doing…

It’s amazing how wrapped up we can get even when we think we are managing time well. I’ve been training my ass off like I should be but in the process I’ve spent the rest of my time trying to be with the family or just relaxing the old bones and not doing anything (read: playing video games).

So my own official website has gone into disrepair and my unofficial website (read: my myspace page) is equally unchanged and nearly forgotten. I’ll be spending some time updating both to fill in the spaces that have been left by the changing news. Keep an eye out.

My next fight is against Mike Pyle at UFN 19 on September 16th in Oklahoma City. I expect a very tough and ready Pyle since he wasn’t able to show his game when he stepped in for me against Larson on short notice. I’ve known Mike for awhile and I know full well that his last fight was no measure of his skills. I’m training for the best Pyle has to offer. I don’t believe he has enough for me and I’m more than ready to move up in the ranks after some recent disappointment.

He’ll be in the fight of his life on the 16th. I doubt Mike underestimates me but who knows, he wouldn’t be the first. Expect a fast paced, high impact fight.

I have been doing this kickass strength and conditioning routine with my S & C coach and it’s really helping a lot. I wake up sore most days but after warming up I feel a lot better about the upcoming workout. I am holding off big guys and that feels great since a guy my size will have less strength not more. I’m excited to see the changes in my conditioning.

Today I have to run and recover a bit. It’s nice to have my running route mapped out right beside the beach… If you have to run, it’s a great spot. Today’s run is about 3.75 miles. That’s a fairly normal run for me with some being a bit shorter some a bit longer. I usually get it done pretty quickly unless I work in some exercises at the stations next to the beach (pull-ups, dips, crunches, etc).

I can’t wait to fight.

Training is going great. I have my schedule down and we are going through the steps preparing for Koscheck. He presents some difficulties to me because he doesn’t really like to get hit. Thus, he uses his wrestling talent to keep the fight as far as possible from wherever he can get hit. If he could, I’m sure he would have me in a headstand because it is as far as I can be from standing up.

As always I train for everything including the pleasant surprise of him trading on the feet but of course I expect the worst and train for it. Lots of wrestling and jiu-jitsu so I’ll be sharp there. I doubt I’ll forget how to strike any more than he’ll forget how to wrestle so this is the best training camp for me. I’ll be in shape and ready for war.

Aside from training the family is loving Rio. Unfortunately our belongings still have not arrived. They are scheduled to arrive on the 8th but we’ll see how long it takes to actually get my stuff. As if living in an empty house doing hard training twice a day isn’t enough, I have dealt with the worst customer service ever by almost every company I’ve tried to get anything from. What’s up with that?

Stay tuned for updates. I’ll try to post pics later.  mmmkay, buh-bye

Went “home” for the holidays and ate too much of things I shouldn’t have eaten a lot of but not too much of the things I shouldn’t eat at all.

Engrish moment: Fight train is the hardest but delicious.

Sorry in advance for those who don’t know what Engrish is.

So I’m on a strict training schedule with diet to accompany. I should have no problem with weight or energy for my fight. Knock on wood to not get hurt in training. I’m doing 2-a-days with wrestling, sparring, submission and MMA alternating days. 1 workout on Saturday and something fun and not too difficult on Sundays.

It’s hard to focus on just my fight with all the other important things I have to do here. I have to get into the apartment, find a school for my son, figure out my post-fight trip schedule and pricing for both my belongings overseas being shipped here and buying things here. Heaven knows I could use the bonus… Watch out John, I’m pretty motivated.

Other than that, absolutely nothing is going on in my life except trying to get my permanent visa again. Boring, eh?