My Strategy

I had a well planned-out strategy coming in against Fitch and I must admit that it worked like a charm.

I knew he would try to rush me. His goal was to make me back up.

My athletic qualities are my main assets. Since I have a good base in my techniques, he didn't want me to impose my game in this fight. He wanted me to be on the defensive all the time and to do this, he needed me to be going backwards.

Since I thought I knew what he meant to do,my strategy was to stand and control the pace. However, if he decided to get too close to me, I'd take him down. That way, he'd have to worry about my striking attacks and my takedowns. He therefore would have to act prudently, which would have given me more space and allowed me to stand on my feet and strike. That's what happened.

Facing BJ Penn?

Many state that my next opponent should be BJ Penn. Nothing has obviously been signed yet, but he is my number one challenger.

I believe he deserves a chance to challenge me for my title, but we'll see what happens on that matter in the next few weeks.

Will my next fight be in Montreal? I deeply hope so...

In the course of the last week, UFC president Dana White indicated that he'd like to come back to Montreal before the end of the year. On my end, however, I don't know if I'll be stepping back into the Octagon before 2009.

I've fought four times in the last 12 months. I therefore need some rest. I like the life I lead, but I sometimes need to relax.

It's not the fight as such that's exhausting; it's all the preparation that comes with it. I've made so many sacrifices to prepare myself. During training camps, I practically do not live anymore. It's therefore on a psychological level that I need to recharge.

We'll talk again once I get some news on my next fight.

Until next time.

Special thanks to Zaphod Beeblebrox for the translation