UFC Fight Night on December 19 will see Myles Jury square off against Charles Oliveira. This will be Jury’s first fight since January 2015 and a lot has changed. He’s revamped his diet, dropped to another weight class and also switched gyms. “Fury” is in the best possible position of his career and he’s poised to make a championship run.
Las Vegas, NV – December 28, 2012: Myles Jury weighs in for his bout against Michael Johnson at UFC 155 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jury spoke with The GM’s Perspecitve and discussed the recent changes that has him ready to be one of the most talked about athletes in the game today.
The GM’s Perspective: A lot has changed since your last fight in January, one being you dropping down a weight class. What was your motivation behind it?
Myles Jury: Always evaluating myself as an athlete and looking for areas that I can improve on. I haven’t really been on a diet since the Ultimate Fighter and my body fat was a little higher than it should be. Coming off the last fight it was something that I wanted to work on; becoming a better athlete, trying to lean out. I got on a new diet and my weight started to come off. I went on the scale and realized I wasn’t that big of a 55’er (155 lb/70.3 kg). I can make 45 (145 lb/65 kg) with some discipline. I looked around and got a great nutrionist in George Lockhart. He put me on a diet the last couple of months and I feel great. My weight continues to come down slowly. Honestly, I feel better with this diet and with the stuff he has me taking improves my recovery. He has me feeling better than I have in my last couple of training camps. So far so good!
GMs: Is your food intake/eating properly the main contributor to the weight loss?
MJ: It’s all from the new diet, specifically portion control. I’m eating around seven times a day and I find that I’m eating a lot of meat, fruit, and vegetables. No pizza, no breads and stuff like that.
GMs: Being in a new weight class, you are fighting a whole new group of fighters, one being #7 ranked UFC Featherweight, Charles Oliveira. Does your game plan change compared to fighting the guys in the lightweight division?
MJ: The game plan never really changes. It’s like a breath of fresh air. Getting involved with a new roster of opponents and a new weight class, it’s time to focus on what’s ahead of me and not dwelling on the past.
GMs: You have also changed your training regime, specifically, leaving Alliance Training Center in San Diego to begin training at Power MMA & Fitness in Arizona. What was the main focus behind the change?
MJ: I needed new coaching and little bit more hands on coaching. I had the opportunity to talk to Aaron Simpson, the head trainer at Power MMA, and I really believe in him. One thing led to another and before you know it I’m training fulltime in Arizona. A couple of other guys also wanted to switch gyms. With us going to Arizona it was a prime way for all of us to stick together (Johnny “Hollywood” Case, Justin Lawrence, Luis Saldana, Michael Chandler).
GMs: Are there any hard feelings when transitions like this happen?
MJ: There’s no hard feelings between me and Alliance. I wish them all the best. It was a business decision and a grown man decision. At the end of the day it’s me getting in the cage. I have to do what’s best for myself. I think the easier path would have been to stay comfortable, but it took a lot more guts to get up and make a change.
GMs: You have to be selfish and do what’s best for you. You can only think about other people for so long before it starts to affect the decisions you make on a daily basis. If you’re not doing what’s best for you it affects everyone.
MJ: Not being happy where I’m at would only bring people down. Making the change and stepping up and moving on was necessary.
GMs: I’ve noticed you’re on FOX Sports writing some articles and branching out into different things, in addition to your weekly articles on your website. Your discussing topics that people looking from the outside might not be aware of.
MJ: I’ve been working on blogs and working on increasing my knowledge on different topics. I’m a big reader and I feel like there’s a lot that I’ve learned over the years. I feel like I can build a platform where I can share different topics with people that might help them in different avenues over the course of their lives. It’s a cool thing to do.
GMs: Even people who might not be into MMA or the lifestyle are reading your work and your reach is getting bigger. Through social media, this brings more attention to you and your team and really enhances your brand. There’s nothing but positives coming from this.
MJ: From a branding aspect, it’s getting my name out there more and people can see a different side of me.
GMs: The road to the championship begins December 19 on FOX Sports. Is there anyone you want to give a shout to before camp gets into full swing?
MJ: Big shout out to my team; Power MMA. And of course my loyal fans who have stuck with me through the ups and downs of my career. I’m looking forward to taking another step towards that championship belt.
For more information, follow Myles Jury on social media at:
Facebook: facebook.com/TheTeamFury
Twitter: @FuryJury
Instagram: @FuryJury
