Opposite day! Michael McDonald junks traditional MMA training, starts lifting heavy for UFC return

Do you even lift, bro?

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight power-puncher Michael McDonald, widely-considered the future of the 135-pound division, hasn't seen the inside of the Octagon since getting dominated by Urijah Faber at the UFC on FOX 9 event last December.

So ... where the hell is he?

Turns out the 23-year-old phenom has been competing with several injuries that may have hampered his performances in recent fights. That's why "Mayday" has been using 2014 to rest, recover, and go under the knife for whatever procedures he needs done to compete at the highest level.

And tells ESPN.com it's time to flip the mixed martial arts (MMA) script.

"I guess what I've learned is I'm different. I can't do what everyone else is doing. I could actually gain some weight and strengthen my muscles and bones. I'm going towards more traditional heavy lifting, which people say, 'Don't do in MMA.' It's making my joints feel great. The best way I can describe it is everyone is trying to strip down their race car and make it lighter -- taking away from the frame. I actually need to put more weight on my race car. What I'm moving to is completely opposite of what everyone thinks they should do in MMA."

McDonald (16-3) says he's still suffering from issues with his wrist, forearm, and shoulder.

The idea of "Mayday" getting stronger -- considering his long list of violent knockouts -- has to be worrisome for bantamweight contenders, particularly if the Californian has been operating at less than full strength over the past couple of years.

There is no timetable for his return, but when McDonald does come back, things are going to get very interesting at 135 pounds.