The MMA News Interview: Gray Talks about Title Shot, Can BJ Penn be Stopped, and Training with Randy Couture

I recently had the chance to do an interview with Terry from The MMA News. I have provided a portion of the interview for you.  For the full interview go to http://www.themmanews.com/?p=9634

THE MMA NEWS: You are currently the only fighter to beat Frankie Edgar who has been announced to fight BJ Penn for the lightweight title.  Is this a title shot you feel you deserved at this point, or are you ok with patiently waiting to be next in line?

GRAY: Frankie has beat some tough opponents. I think it’s more of a timing issue than anything.  The UFC plans fights months ahead of time, especially a title fight.  That’s why they are able to put on the best fights in the world, because they give everyone proper time to train and prepare.  They knew Frankie and BJ would be ready to go on the date they had planned.  That’s what they decided, this is a business and I’m an employee.  I don’t take anything personal and they know what’s best for the company and the fighters.  I’m confident that I will get my shot at the belt.  I just need to stay focused and keep growing as a fighter.

THE MMA NEWS: You were originally brought in by BJ Penn as a training partner, how was this experience at the time, and have you trained with BJ since?

GRAY: I had a great experience training with BJ in Hilo.  It was definitely an eye opener early in my career to the sport.  He knows so much about MMA and has a great training environment down there.  I didn’t have a chance to train with him again until the TV show.  That was a little different because there are some restraints on how and when you can train, so I wasn’t able to get as much out of it as I did when I went to Hilo.  But it gave me an opportunity to fight for the UFC.

THE MMA NEWS: BJ Penn has looked unstoppable in his recent bouts at lightweight. How do you feel the fight between him and Frankie Edgar will go down, and do you feel the only way to beat BJ at this point is to learn from George St Pierre and out wrestle him?

GRAY: First of all nobody is unstoppable.  This is the fight game and on any given day anybody can be beat.  I grew up wrestling since I was 3 and I can’t even count how many times I’ve heard that a guy can’t be beat and then he gets beat.  A couple wrestlers that come to mind is Dan Gable and Alexander Karelin.  It’s just the way combat sports go, that’s why it makes them so interesting.  But, BJ has looked great his last couple fights.  I don’t like to predict fights, I know they both will be prepared and come in with a good game plan.  I haven’t really sat down and got a game plan for BJ yet, because I haven’t had to fight him.  GSP did give a blueprint on how to fight BJ, but that doesn’t mean it will work for everyone.  I’m excited to watch their fight though.

THE MMA NEWS: How has the experience of training with UFC legend Randy Couture and his Extreme Couture gym been?

GRAY: Randy has be a great leader for all of us.  His knowledge and work ethic is second to none and he’s always trying to improve.  It’s a great place to train and I’m fortunate to be apart of the family.  We’ve been together for a while and it’s made me the fighter I am today.

For the full article go to http://www.themmanews.com/?p=9634 As always if you have any questions you would like answered email me through the website.  Thanks for all of your support!