Athlete

I've always thought about it. I've considered it when I was young. I was like, 'Listen, I'm going to fight. I want to be a star. I'm going to fight.'

Every person I wrestle, it's the biggest match of their career. They're Buster Douglas. But what's the honor in being Mike Tyson and beating Buster Douglas? I win and move on. They win, and it's a game-changer for the rest of their lives.

John Smith from Oklahoma State was the greatest American wrestler of all time.

Discipline, focus, endurance is what it takes to be the greatest at this sport.

I'm so comfortable in my identity as a wrestler that if I never fought, it would never bother me one bit.

There was a period of time early in my career where I was like, 'I'm gonna definitely fight. I definitely want to be a part of this lifestyle.' Then there was a period of time where I had so much success in the sport of wrestling, and I was like, 'I don't really need fighting.'

I remember my first World Championships. I got zero turns, and I got turned multiple times, and I was still a World Champion.

I want to make sure that everyone benefits from my success, not just me.

I have a lot of confidence because of my success.

I've dreamed on numerous occasions that I've lost the biggest event in my life, and there was absolutely nothing that I could do about it.

I think a lot of guys get out of wrestling for financial incentive to go to the UFC, but I'm doing well.

That's my job: work hard, win, and inspire.

As wrestlers, we're not trying to hurt or damage physically our opponent. All we're trying to do is score points and get our hands raised, so I think that's where we differ from the UFC, but I think that also the way in which we could address each other could be cool from a competitive spirit.

I think every young man's goal is to be a professional athlete, whether it's the NBA, MLB, or the NFL.

I approach every match with that mindset, that this guy is trying to beat you, and it will change his life if he does.

It's never too late to be great.

I've seen 'Cars' and 'Cars 2' about 1,500 times a piece.

I'm not afraid to tell people what I hope to accomplish and what I believe I'm capable of. I'm ready to take the backlash if I don't accomplish my dreams.

I'm not a big guy that watches technique from my opponents. I try to do what I do best and hope that my stuff is better than their best stuff.

I've got a home. I've got a wife. I've got everything I need.