Ross Pearson fighting in 'second home'
Thursday 30 October 2014 10:35, UK
Michael Bisping is aware the type of rivalry he has with upcoming foe Luke Rockhold has been detrimental in the past - and vows to remain calm despite his tendency for competing emotionally.
Fight Night in Sydney features two Brits abroad but Lancashire's Bisping and Sunderland's Ross Pearson will not receive the hostile reception that many English sportsmen experience Down Under.
Married to Australian wives and describing England's historic sports rival as a 'second home', Bisping and Pearson are likely to enjoy home support as they fight Luke Rockhold and Al Iaquinta, respectively, on November 7.
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Not for the first time, the 35-year-old middleweight finds himself competing amid a war of words with an opponent. Like Jorge Rivera and Tim Kennedy before him, Rockhold has riled the English UFC veteran but this time there is a difference. With the opportunity to fight for the world title in sight, Bisping claims he can overcome his dislike for Rockhold and compete calmly.
BISPING SAID: "In the past I’ve been an emotional fighter, sometimes that has helped but sometimes it’s been detrimental.
"It’s not a coincidence that in my last fight [against Cung Le] there was no personal animosity and I put in one of my best performances. Emotions can get the better of you. They throw you off your plan. There’s a possibility he will come into the fight too highly charged. I’m flying to Australia to achieve a personal goal – the fact that Luke is a jerk is a coincidence.
"Luke Rockhold doesn’t care for me very much and this is touted as a grudge match. It is in some respects – if I never see or hear from Luke after this fight I’ll be a happy man – but I’m not going to Australia to settle a grudge and have a personal fight. I’m going out there to be cool, calm and professional. I’m competing in my chosen sport to win in a professional way.
"I’ve got goals to achieve so I have to keep emotions inside, this is purely business. I’m too experienced, I’ve done this for so long that I’m not bothered by what anyone says.
It’s not a coincidence that in my last fight there was no personal animosity and I put in one of my best performances. Emotions can get the better of you. They throw you off your plan.
"I want to be world champion. I want to represent England to the fullest and be the first British guy to get the world title, that’s always been the goal. That’s more important than any grudge.
"It’s not written in stone that I’ll fight for the title after this one but that’s what I’m hoping. People say Rockhold is the next number one contender so if I beat him then I’m the man.
"He is very tall and athletic, he’s a great striker and great on the ground. He comes from a good team. That’s enough to focus on so I won’t focus on how much I dislike him. I’m the better striker, I’ve got more experience and I’m faster. Athletically we are similar, I can stop his takedowns and this fight will be played out on the feet, where I am better.
"With every loss I have learned. With every fight, every victory and every loss you learn about yourself. You learn valuable lessons. This is a very physical sport but the mental side is even bigger. My boxing coach speaks to me about the mental side of the game. I know I can’t get too emotional because you don’t perform to the best of your ability and that has been detrimental to me in the past. I’m learning mentally.
"Most people get to this level once in their career and can never get back. The fact I’ve been in number one contender fights multiple times is testament to my character and my ability and my staying power. I take plusses from that but I want to win, then fight for the title, then win that."
After a torrid 18 months marred by injuries, disqualifications and a dubious judging decision, Pearson's knock-out of Gray Maynard was a welcome reprieve - he now meets Al Iaquinta in familiar surroundings.
When people question how I’m going to deal with a certain guy, that’s when I’m at my best. That’s what a fight is all about – you’re striving for what you need in life.
PEARSON SAID: "I’m so laid back that the run of bad luck didn’t even cross my mind. I’ve always known where I stand as an athlete and where I stand with my ability to perform on the big stage. You get kicked in life but you get back on the horse. In any form of sport or life, crazy things happen but what’s the point in dwelling on it? What’s the point in hanging my gloves up?
"I did get disappointed after the decision in the Diego Sanchez fight. I was confused and upset, it was laughable. In the Melvin Guillard disqualification, we thought ‘what happened there?’ It just happened so fast. It was a weird time.
"I’d had a stretch of bad luck but was the UFC going to see it that way? There was pressure to beat Gray Maynard. In that fight I realised to myself what level I’m at. I realised during the fight I was a level above him. That’s the first time I’d felt that.
"If I had beaten Sanchez and Maynard in 2013 then I would be challenging for the title. These two were the biggest names in the lightweight division last year.
"I feel like my timing shines above everyone’s. When my back is against the wall and when people question how I’m going to deal with a certain guy, that’s when I’m at my best. That’s what a fight is all about – you’re striving for what you need in life, that’s the right reason. I shine on those occasions.
"I’ve got more heart, more will, more determination and I want it more than Al Iaquinta. I think he’ll realise he’s in over his head. I don’t fear this guy in any area and the pressure I put on will overwhelm him. I see this as an opportunity to showcase my skill."
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