as much. I will also pick up
or drop sessions depending
on how my body is going.
Technically, what are your
strengths in the cage?
A lot of people think my jiu-
jitsu is my go-to, but I actually
prefer striking. I think that,
still being early in my career,
I’m not using [my striking]
as much...but it will come.
And how about mentally — is
adaptability a key for you, or
tactical preparation?
I wish it was tactical
preparation — that is something
I want to get good at — but
I’d be lying if I said I study my
opponents. I watched a collective
five minutes [of fight footage]
max on my last two opponents.
I like to get in the Octagon
and figure out my opponent,
like the ultimate puzzle.
Who are your coaches now
and what are the key attributes
you’ve developed under each
of them?
Shaun Sullivan is my
performance coach, he ensures
that my camps are running as
expected and suggests areas
that I am lacking or overdoing.
I will continue at JacksonWink;
I only got to work with Coach
Wink while I was there, but I am
hoping to get time in with Coach
Jackson for my next camp.
Watching a lot of fights
from a young age, did that help
develop your understanding
of strategy and tactics in
MMA fighting?
Yes, to a degree, though
the majority of my skill was
developed through trial by
fire. I’m sure most of the hard,
traditional martial artists can
attest to how hard it is, and my
dad never gave me any leniency
— it was usually the opposite!
I understand your distinctive
tattoos are Samoan. How
important is that cultural
heritage to you as a fighter?
I am in a unique position
where I can represent both
Australians and Samoans. I didn’t
grow up in a traditional Samoan
family and my parents split at
an early age, but I learnt later on
how important it was to me to
show my heritage and represent
both sides of my family.
I read that your tattoos were
done in the traditional style —
bone tapping, which is said to
be much more laborious andpainful than the modern tattoo
gun. Is that true, and why did
you choose to do it that way?
It is the only way to get the
tattoo done. I did it with my
father and it was some of the
worst pain I have been in. The
bond that I have with my father
and what it means to me now,
once completed, is priceless and
was worth every minute of pain.
What is the meaning behind
your trademark army hat?
It was my cousin’s. He served
in the United States Army and
was killed in action in 2010, and
I now wear it to every fight.
Do you know who your next
opponent will be...and who
would you like it to be?
Not as of yet. I let my
coaching staff and manager
work that out, I just go in and
fight.The Fighter’s Tips
Tyson Pedro on how to restore motivation:
I usually listen to music. Some Mariah Carey never goes astray.
On how to avoid injury in MMA training:
Stretch...and tap!
On which strength and conditioning drill is a must-do:
Neck-strengthening drills — it will prevent you getting knocked out.Pedro
by the
Numbers
Division: Light-
heavyweight (205UFC Rank: #12UFC record (W/L): 2–0MMA record: 6–0Age: 25Height: 190 cm (6’ 3”)Weight: 93 kg (205 lb)Last win: Def. Paul
Craig via TKO, R1
at UFC 209Pedro knees Scotland’s
Paul Craig on the way to
victory at UFC 209Pedro celebrates with his
dad and coachesFULL CONTACT |ƫ333ċ (%06) #ċ*!0ƫđƫ^83