Athlete

I had to really create a positive atmosphere for myself, and that has to come from within.

I'm more dramatic than other people are, or I just show it more. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I have a lot of passion.

I wake up every morning trying to be a new, better person and version of myself. I never try and be the same thing. So that's what's going to be hard for girls to keep up with me, because I'm always ever-evolving my style.

Any mistakes that I make is an investment in my future.

I thrive on chaos and difficult situations. I guess that's who I am.

Your mind is just like your body. It's a muscle you can train and get better at.

I'm sick of all the hate and anger and stuff like that going on.

I think that's what makes me so great of a fighter. I'm crazy as hell. And fighting helps me with that.

From my perspective, if I say that I'm done, I would hope - and I trust - that my corner would throw in the towel for me.

The learning curve, and the things that you have to adapt to on a daily basis in the UFC, is pretty crazy. It's a huge burden for anybody to have: not just the fighting itself but learning how to deal with the other responsibilities.

Money and fame, it only makes you so happy. You gotta find other reasons to fight. I want a certain amount of money to do the things that I want to do.

That Dutch style of kickboxing, that's great. That's hard. It's very intimidating to stand across from, but you know it's very rhythmic on the beat. It's just something: It looks scary, but it's nothing to be scared of.

Some of the things I've had to overcome in my past, fighting helped me deal with a lot of struggles. Obstacles in life don't make you a great fighter, but fighting - or, I should say, martial arts - helps you overcome your obstacles.

2016 was really challenging for me. I don't know what it was.

Sometimes when you push something or you force something too much, the progress doesn't happen the way it should.

I think that I can speak in front of the camera. I think my fighting ability can speak for itself as well.

I come from a place of lots of turmoil.

Being resourceful and creating is a big part of my Lithuanian culture. My grandfather is part of who I am, too. He was a professional wrestler. He had a very functional, very slick, long frame.

Me being the best in the world, it doesn't mean that much to me if I'm not a good person at the end of the day, if I'm not setting a good example for other people to be better to each other.

I don't think anybody is perfect.