Jason Day regroups and refocuses for UFC return
by MMAmania.com on Jul 9, 2008 9:22 AM EDT
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The Cinderella story of Jason Day came to an abrupt end when he collided with Michael Bisping at UFC 85: "Bedlam" last month at the O2 Arena in London, England.
"Dooms" scored one of the early upsets of the 2008 fight season when he stopped the super tough Alan Belcher in the first round of his Octagon debut during their 185-pound scrap at UFC 83: "Serra vs. St. Pierre 2" back in April.
Of course, in the UFC no good deed goes unpunished. So when Chris Leben was jailed for a probation violation just weeks before his fight with "The Count," the promotion turned to Day on relative short notice and offered him the biggest fight of his career.
It didn't go his way. However, Day is determined now more than ever to prove that he was not a one-hit wonder.
"I took a few weeks off after my loss to regroup and relax because I had been training constantly since last September and needed a break," Day recently told MMAmania.com. "Obviously, the result in London was not the one I was looking for but I am just getting started. And that loss just motivated me to make the changes necessary to take my game to the next level."
Those changes include making a full-time commitment to training. Yes, believe it or not even fighters who compete at the highest level in this sport often need to supplement their incomes. Day is no different -- when he is not training or fighting he is building houses full-time up in Canada.
In fact, he owns a home building company with his parents; however, the pair have been very supportive by picking up the slack when Day has to take off to train or fight.
That slack will more than likely increase as Day dedicates more time to his blossoming fight career.
"I am currently making arrangements to stop working and make fighting my full time job," said Day. "I am very anxious to get back in the cage and avenge my loss, but I want to take the time to have a solid training camp and be the best fighter I can be next time I step in the Octagon."
That journey to become the best fighter he can be has already begun. Day just returned from an intense week of training in Las Vegas, Nevada, with several high-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu players who all share the same management agency.
It was a fantasy camp designed to help fill-in the gaps and help him prepare for the super talented opponents that lurk on the horizon.
"I had the oppurtunity to train with Frank Mir, Tim Boetsch, Miguel Torres -- who is the current WEC 135-pound champ -- and James Horn who I think will be making waves in the near future in this sport," said Day. "Our sessions were lead by Robert Drysdale who is an absolute wizard on the ground. It was a great eye opener and Robert helped correct alot of little details in my ground game."
It was an eye-opening experience and one that will certainly not be the last now that he has made the decision to make more time to refine his game. With more time to train and more time to improve his skills, Day hopes that the focus and hard work will translate to more wins within the eight-sided cage.
"I am hoping I will be fighting at the end of October or November," Day said. "It will be more than enough time to get sharp and continue to maximize my potential."
And now with a full-time commitment perhaps Day's fairy tale will pick up right where he left off, taking dudes out with bunches of punches.
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I hope he does come back and prove how good he is, that way the Bisping haters will give Bisping the credit he deserves
by Auto “I like little boys” mation on Jul 9, 2008 9:35 AM EDT reply actions
Ha ha, i’ve just seen your name!!!! At least you lived up to your bet, as did Linx.
by Nick J on Jul 9, 2008 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
lol f@_king hate it lol.
I’m only keeping mine for a week though :)
JV will want me to keep it longer no doubt lol
by Auto “I like little boys” mation on Jul 9, 2008 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Automation, wasnt our bet just like linx & BNF? You 1 month & me 2 weeks??? I’m glad to see you kept your word though.
by JV on Jul 9, 2008 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Fortunately for me we didn’t agree timescales lol
Maybe to be fair, we’ll make it 2 weeks starting from today therefore July 23 back to Automation :)
by Auto “I like little boys” mation on Jul 9, 2008 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Posted this on an earlier thread:
Auto-
Much respect to you for sticking to your word and changing your name.
You have integrity.
There should be an unofficial rule for the know-it-all posters.
"Rampage will kill Griffin"
"Only noobs think Griffin stands a chance"
"I have a billion dollars on Page, take it to the bank!"
Blah, blah, blah…
by OJR on Jul 9, 2008 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Cool! You hadnt been on here for a while. Do you also believe it was a bullsh!t call?
by JV on Jul 9, 2008 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I did read all the comments a feel for those with a monetary loss but thought the call was fair. I was giving the fight 2 and 2 going into the last round which Forrest edged.
I just thought WTF Rampage, what the f@-k are you doing or not doing. Rampage didn’t bring it and 9 months off is no excuse, training and sparring would keep any ring rust away.
The reason I wasn’t on here after the fight was because my in-laws were visiting for the week. I actually watched the fight with my Father-in-law who is a huge boxing fan who is slowly converting to mma. So we are sitting watching the fight and saying how Rampage will explode at any time a destroy Forrest. I looked soooooooooo stupid and sounded like I didn’t know what the f-@k I was talking about.
The result was fair
by Auto “I like little boys” mation on Jul 9, 2008 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I rewatched the fight, and although he lost, I was extremely impressed with Rampage’s Boxing (it may be the best in the UFC). Especially his defense was amazing…His head movement was extremely sharp… TOo bad he forgot to check the leg kicks.
Day has a bright Future. I dont discredit him for what happend with Bsping, I credit Bisping for that fight…He will be a tough opponent for most of the UFC middleweights.
I am curious to see who they match doomsday up with next….I say Day vs. McDonald “the talented Fairy”
by john on Jul 9, 2008 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
OJR: I’ve learned a huge lesson, nothing is for sure in mma :)
I do like Forrest and always have, just don’t think he is champ material.
If there is no rubber match, I think that the next LHW champion, who beats Forrest in his first defence, will feel that their title win was easier than they ever dreamed.
Props to Forrest though, he needs to use his leg kicks more often, they do damage. Maybe we’ll see Forrest as the next Cung Le lol
by Auto “I like little boys” mation on Jul 9, 2008 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
John:
You were the first person that came to mind when Rampage lost lol
I thought jeeeeezzzzz, John placed $1200.00 on Rampage, then I thought F-@k, I like little boys :(
by Auto “I like little boys” mation on Jul 9, 2008 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
yeah, it hurt my account for sure! I will just wager doubl;e on Rampage in the rematch and it wil make up for it!
by john on Jul 9, 2008 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
John, I agree about Rampage’s boxing. Juanito comes from a boxing background so that probably has a lot to do with it. Rampage’s kryptonite is Muay Thai and kicks. I think if he faces Chuck again, Chuck will use kicks. Chuck got away with just boxing people, but he can’t do that with Rampage.
by Pat on Jul 10, 2008 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Bisping is a good fighter.. but who has he fought in the UFC..outside of Hammil getting jerked in their fight. Dana was on the mic before UFC78 saying how Rashad/Bisping are 2 of the top tier LHW’s right.. but when drops to 185.. who does he get in his middle weight debut. Captian Miserable. then he fights who?? Chris Leben at 185 is his first real test. It may not be totally his fought at who the UFC pits against him.. but he does have some say so in the matter.. " Say he Dana I want to fight top guys at 185.. like Henderson. Franklin. Leites. Okami…cuz the MMAworld thinks I’m just hype and getting tucked in every night by the Ufc. "..that’s all he needs to say. He comes across so f’n cocky..he is passed confidence. He thinks he is better then he really is.. Does he belong amongst the UFC fighters.. yeah. Is he topTier material??..that has yet to be proven.IMO.
by PhilQNY on Jul 9, 2008 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah he does have to prove himself and Leben will be a good example.
I’ve followed Bisping pre UFC days and he can dance, no matter what song is on.
I just hope people don’t start calling Leben a can if he gets beat.
He does come across cocky but does a fighter really need to start doubting himself?? When they start doing that then they are losing the fight before it begins.
Rampage after his UFC debut with Eastman when asked about a shot at Chuck “Maybe one more fight then I’ll be ready etc etc” i.e. there is no shame in fighting the lesser guys on your road to supremecy.
No need to call out the top tier guys too early, experience is a necessary tool.
by Auto “I like little boys” mation on Jul 9, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Yo Auto : my thing is be confident in yourself and in your skills.. but Bisping is passed the border of Cockiness.
by PhilQNY on Jul 9, 2008 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Phil: I know he seems cocky but people have different ways of expressing confidence, there is a very very fine line between cocky and confidence.
People see him as cocky because they feel he is still to back up his mouth, whereas I have seen him back up his mouth and feel he is confident.
Bisping is on the biggest stage of his life and gets all excited and speaks before he thinks, he is getting better at handling the media and his mouth.
by Auto “I like little boys” mation on Jul 9, 2008 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
good post little boy lover! lol I see it that way as well.
by john on Jul 9, 2008 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Good post. As a Bisping fan I agree and I understand the hate that he gets. In his defense he can only fight who the UFC give him but no-one who posts on here can know the conversations that take place between Bisping, Dana or Joe when fights are being made. Leben will be his first challenge and will draw a line in the sand as to how good Bisping actually is. Personally I have every faith in Bisping, just want him to be able to prove himself to the haters.
by UKmmaBOY on Jul 9, 2008 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
BUT, is Chris Leben even a Top 10 MW???
And Phil is right. If Bisping WANTED to fight agaisnt harder competition, he would be. All you have to do is tell Joe Silva. ESPECIALLY the TUF winners that are doing well – they get what they want. Forrest Griffin wanted to fight Shogun, asked for the fight, and got it. I have yet to hear Bisping call out a single fighter. Why doesn’t he ask for a fight against Nate Marquardt. ThAT would be a solid test to see where Bisping really stacks up in the MW division.
If I were Bisping and they offered my Charles Tupperware McCarthy for my first fight at 185 and I was basically an undefeated LHW fighter, I would have turned the fight down. Bisping should be wanting to prove himself. Not fight the bottom of the division just to get W’s.
by ViolentMike on Jul 9, 2008 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I am with you UKmmaBoy…I am a big fan of the count and I think that he has a very bright future at middleweight! Its just up to the UFC to match him up against good opponents to prove it! Leben wil be a great test for him…Leben is a Hard Hitter but that doesnt worry me to much after seeing Bisping take shots on the chin from some Big LHW’s who oversized him in every fight (Epstein most notably) For those that dont know Epstein, he isnt the best mma fighter but he hits as hard as anyone and I watched him BLast Bisping on the chin, and Bisping just shook it off! At middleweight I expect to see the best Bisping we have ever seen and he will eventually cement himself as a top fighter in the division!
by john on Jul 9, 2008 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I have to agree VM, I too would have turned down a fight against tuppaware if I was the count…. No one can complain about him fighting leben though.
If he can get past Leben, I would like to see how Bisping matches up against McDonald next! But Leben will be a very tough test!
by john on Jul 9, 2008 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
VW, agree with Bisping can ask for bigger fighters like Forrest did but Dana could be blocking them to try and promote him more in the UK. Who knows? If he is ducking fights then he would go down in my estimation. Leben is the gatekeeper for Bispings career at MW. IMO Bisping will probably make Top 5 at MW but he will never be able to hang with the big names at 185.
by UKmmaBOY on Jul 9, 2008 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
VM:
Rampage after his UFC debut with Eastman when asked about a shot at Chuck "Maybe one more fight then I’ll be ready etc etc" i.e. there is no shame in fighting the lesser guys on your road to supremecy.
No need to call out the top tier guys too early, experience is a necessary tool.
Bisping is honest enough with himself not to call out the top tier guys, he said one day he’ll be champ, that doesn’t mean tomorrow
by Auto “I like little boys” mation on Jul 9, 2008 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
well said lil boy liker i also recall bisping saying he didnt want to rush fighting top fighters in the middlewieght iv also noticed bisping watching his mouth more after the matt hamill fight when he fought jason day there was no bad blood what so ever i think bisping is realy maturing as a fighter iv got my tickets for the fight against leben and sure hope bisping wins cmon the count
by boyer on Jul 9, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
We are on the same exact page UKmmaBoy!!!
by ViolentMike on Jul 9, 2008 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I like Jason and as the above post says, he will prove that he is a lot better than what he showed in London.
by Nick J on Jul 9, 2008 9:36 AM EDT reply actions
Interesting point he made ‘most fighters have to supplement their incomes’
by Auto “I like little boys” mation on Jul 9, 2008 9:37 AM EDT reply actions
Sorry mania, thanks for MMAmania for the assist :)
by Auto “I like little boys” mation on Jul 9, 2008 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
mania, what are u bored today? U are extra active on the threads… I love it….If you have nothing to do, why dont you give us your thoughts on the Rampage/Forrest fight…Keep it real!
by john on Jul 9, 2008 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought Forrest won but the scorecards were absolutely retarded. I said that right after the fight. All of the other nonsense is just more nonsense to build the case for an instant rematch, which would be lame. Rampage-Wanderlei 3 or Rampage-Shogun 2 is more interesting to me than Forrest-Rampage 2 right now.
by MMAmania on Jul 9, 2008 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Damn, I completely overlooked Rampage vs. Shogun!
Question, How do u feel about Chuck possibly fighting for the title instead of Rampage?
I want to see guys like THiago or Machida fight for the title. I do not think Chuck will deserve it even if he knocks Rashad’s head off! Rampage doesnt deserve a rematch in favor of machida, but if they will give it to chuck, then I would rather see a rematch between Rampage and forrestinstead.
YOur thought?
by john on Jul 9, 2008 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Bisping has never been ko’d never been dominated! so bring it ufc fighters? if Bisping isnt that good why do Bisping haters keep saying he needs to fight hendo franklin or silva? they are the best 3 arnt they? so is Bisping number 4? i thought he wasnt that good? haha you thick c**ts!!!! The biggest joke in ufc is COTE!!! He couldnt get out of round 1 with Bisping! they gut is rubbish. LEBEN R.I.P Don’t you get it! Bisping is a arrogant cocky person! thats him! its not just because he thinks he is better then he is! at least he has a personality! he has been ok lately much more classy. him and hamill hated each other but just because he is a death american he has to such his d**k? if Bisping isnt that good why don’t you say now that Leben will win?
by Tony on Jul 9, 2008 10:45 AM EDT reply actions
Leben will win, and please learn to spell.
by chefdaddy on Jul 10, 2008 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions
It looked to me like Day lost that fight as he was walking to the cage, and didn’t really put up a fight at all. I will be impressed with Bisping if he beats Leben, until then I’m not impressed at all. Does Bisping have knockout punching power? The way Leben walks through punches (except Silva’s) we will find out if Bisping can take a punch. I think he can out score Leben, but that will do no good if he gets KTFO. Anyway, I hope Day can come back. He seems like a nice guy.
by Bob on Jul 9, 2008 12:01 PM EDT reply actions
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