Fightline.com: Speaking of Nick Diaz, you two had a scuffle at a hospital after your fight. Now you guys are fighting on the same card this weekend. Are you cool now or is there still any bad blood?

Joe Riggs: Nah, we don’t like each other. Every time we’re around each other it always seems like there’s a scuffle almost breaking out. He’s a guy that holds grudges to anyone that beats him. Anyone who he beats, he’s cool afterwards. Anyone who beats him, he’s quick to want to fight. He’s a fighter in the true sense but he’s a sore loser. We fought, and every time I’ve seen him after that, he’s talkin' shit.

Fightline.com: This weekend, June 6, you’re fighting for the first time this year. You’re fighting 'The New York Bad Ass' Phil Baroni. Phil has been around the sport for awhile as well. How did this fight come about and what are your thoughts about your opponent?

Joe Riggs: There’s been two fights everyone has always clamored for and wanted me to fight - Chris Leben and Phil Baroni. Those are two that people have always wanted me to fight. It’s never happened. Me and Chris never fought, and me and Phil have been in different organizations. And now it’s going to be an exciting fight. I’m really excited about it. I’ve trained unbelievably hard for this fight, Phil’s a tough guy, and he’s lost a lot in the sport. He talks a lot of shit. A lot of headache goes along with fighting Phil. You have to deal with all the bull crap.

Fightline.com: What would you say is your biggest strength as a fighter?

Joe Riggs: I do it all. I’m one of the most well rounded in the sport. I come from a pro boxing background, as well as being a two time all American wrestler and I’m very good off my back. I think I’m one of the most well rounded fighters in the sport. I have knocked people out on the feet and I have knocked people unconscious from my back; I’ve knocked people out from [being] on top. I’ve won a fight anyway there is to win a fight.

Fightline.com: How do you see the fight playing out? What’s the biggest threat that Phil Baroni poses to you?

Joe Riggs: Phil’s got one way to win this fight, and that’s to knock me out. Phil hits hard, he swings wildly. He’s just a brawler, you know, and he’s got a good wrestling background. But he used and abused his body with steroids in the past, and he gasses out. That’s just what he does. Every second that ticks off that clock, his window of opportunity to win that fight is getting smaller and smaller. So he, uh, he better plan to do it early because he’s not going to do it later on. Especially since he walks around with all this muscle. Anyone that’s been in the sport for a long time knows muscles are for show - no go. They may look god at the weigh?ins, but once you get in the cage, those muscles fade pretty quick.