INTERVIEW
ROSS
PEARSON:
“I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT MICHAEL BISPING HAS DONE”
Ross Pearson’s has been fighting
since he was 17, but his UFC
career has just started, thanks
to winning the ninth season of
The Ultimate Fighter. We caught
up with him to talk about the
A very happy Pearson accepts his TUF
TUF house and his future.
winner’s trophy from Dana White.
How did you get started in MMA? And the US team? Do you feel that you have to fill How was the training?
I started Tae-Kwon-Do at six, then Another great bunch of lads. The TV Michael Bisping’s shoes? Probably one of the best fight camps
moved into Judo and then amateur portrayed them a bit differently to I would love to be able to do the that I’ve ever had. The coaching from
boxing. It was a natural progression. the UK guys, but we didn’t see them things that Michael has done. He has Mario and from Dave, then you’ve
fighting as much as you saw on TV. beaten some top guys and been a got Michael Bisping as a sparring
How do UK fighters compare to
UFC main event fighter. partner. I wish I could have them
the Americans in the TUF House?
It seemed like the UK team were
guys in the gym all the time.
I didn’t notice any difference
really willing to work together
How was Michael as a coach?
between fighting UK guys and to win. Fantastic. He put his heart and soul So you’d go back into the house.
fighting in TUF. Everyone helped each other tremen- into it, he wasn’t just there to be 100% I loved the whole experience.
dously. I wouldn’t have got where on TV. Sometimes it gets a little bit strange,
How did you get on the show?
I did if it wasn’t for the other guys not being able to talk to family and
My managers, Warrior Promotions,
helping me. The guys who lost were friends. But it was the changing point
told me about it. Then the UFC called
training and sparring the next day to
and asked if I was interested. They
“The Ultimate
in my life and nothing was going to
help guys who were fighting. get in the way of that.
told me they had a plane ticket to
Fighter was
Vegas for medicals and interviews
Did you know Andre Winner
and all that. I wasn’t sure they were before the finale?
the changing
Now what?
The plan for now is to get better. I’m
going to pick me because I’m not We have trained together, he helped
point in my life,
back in the gym, I’ve worked with a
really a showman in terms of perso- me out for the Abdul Mohamed
nality, I let my fighting do the talking. fight. He’s a good friend. I thought
nothing was
physio to reconstruct my shoulder. I
want to get ready for my next fight
that once that cage door shut it
At what point did it sink in that
going to get and win it.
wouldn’t be a problem, but it was
you were going to be on TV in in the way of Would you rather fight in the UK
hard fighting a good friend.
front of millions of people?
that.“
or the US?
It still hasn’t sunk in. I just saw the
Were you worried about the
I would love to fight in the UK,
UFC, and my career going in the decision? winning the show has done a lot
right direction. All I was thinking I think I edged a little bit in each for MMA in the UK so the reception
about was getting the contract. round. Andre didn’t commit too
He threw a few verbal digs at
would be unbelieveable. But on the
much. I worked a little bit more with
How did you get on with the
Dan and the US team...
other hand, I love fighting in Ame-
my boxing.
team?
The US guys didn’t like that at all.
rica. Whatever happens I’m fighting
Amazing, I’ve made some really close Have you talked since?
I think it was mind games, trying
in the UFC at the end of the day, I
friends. I keep in touch with some When I got home I called him up and
to get under Dan’s skin before
can’t complain really.
guys that I met through the show. we’re all cool. He was pleased for me
their fight. Mike’s a funny guy, he’s
Any last messages?
They’re all great fighters who have winning and devastated that he lost,
always up for a laugh. It showed the
Thanks to everyone for all of the sup-
the potential to have great careers. and I felt the same.
different types of people Dan and
port. It has been absolutely amazing.
Michael are.
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FightSport UK 12 FINAL.indd 40 21/08/2009 11:52
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