When an August title fight with Nick Diaz fell apart after the Stockton, California native missed a mandatory drug test prior to the event, Jay Hieron found himself facing a dangerous opponent–Ultimate Fighter Season 7 cast member Jesse Taylor–on just five days notice. After winning a unanimous decision over Taylor in a workmanlike performance, Hieron is entering the final stages of his preparation for his second fight with the Strikeforce promotion, an upcoming January 30 bout with veteran Joe Riggs, which is scheduled for the unaired preliminary card of Strikeforce: Miami at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. While he is undoubtedly disappointed that Diaz will be taking on Dream champion Marius Zaromskis in the main event of the evening, Hieron is confident that his hard work will pay off when he finally works his way toward the title, one win at a time.
Tapology’s Steven Kelliher recently caught up with Hieron to get his thoughts on the missed opportunity for the welterweight title he suffered back in August of last year, his most recent performance against Taylor, as well as the successes of his current training camp and what he expects out of “Diesel” Riggs come January 30.
Tapology: You’ve been on a tear lately in the welterweight division. I know it’s obviously a result of hard training, but to what do you attribute your recent success?
Hieron: I have a lot of great training partners. I have trained my mind over the years to make myself a better competitor, and I just keep putting in the work, and hard work pays off.
Tapology: Can you talk about your last fight against Jesse Taylor?
Hieron: That fight was on five days notice. I was supposed to be fighting for the title, so it was a little mentally draining, but I still went out there, did what I had to do and won the fight. My performance was good for what the fight was; he was just trying to take me down the whole time, so I performed well and I’ll be fighting Joe Riggs on January 30.
Tapology: Riggs is an experienced veteran. If he comes in at his best, where could he pose some problems for you?
Hieron: Riggs is solid. He has fought on some big shows, he has a big name, and I hope he brings his best because I know I will. I’m in great shape right now physically and mentally, so right now it’s just counting down the days to go out there and perform. Riggs is a tough guy and I’m not looking past him at all. Outside of the cage, I like the guy, but on January 30 it’s all business.
I think some people forget that he fought Matt Hughes for the title a few years ago in the UFC. He has fought a lot of top competition—he has had ups and downs in his career just like I have—but for now fighting guys with names makes sense for me, and this is a fight I can get up for. Joe Riggs has a name and I’m ready.
Tapology: Is there any specific aspect of your game that you believe will put you on top in this fight?
Hieron: Like I said in an interview the other day, I feel like a ninja right now. Everything is flowing right now, so wherever the fight goes I’ll be ready. I train every aspect of my game equally and that’s what it takes to be a well-rounded MMA fighter. The fight starts on the feet, but I’m going to get out there and flow and I can take it wherever I want.
Tapology: I know you’ve been asked about it quite a bit lately, but this card is going to be headlined by the welterweight title match between Nick Diaz and Marius Zaromskis. Does that bother you at all?
Hieron: My mindset right now is that I couldn’t care less. That’s water under the bridge. I’ll get there eventually. Hard work pays off—I live by that—so I’m just going to go out there on the 30th and do what I do. I’m not thinking about Diaz right not, I’m just focused 100% on Joe Riggs.
Tapology: How do you feel fighting for Strikeforce right now? Do you think this is going to be a long relationship?
Hieron: Yeah, they have great shows, so if somebody is having great shows you know they’re going to be around. I don’t put blame on them over the title situation. You can’t fight somebody that doesn’t want to fight you and that’s the bottom line. Everything happens for a reason and I’ll get my shot down the road.
Tapology: Speaking long-term, you have a loss to Georges St-Pierre from a few years ago. Is there any part of you that would feel unsatisfied if you never got that fight back?
Hieron: I would love to fight him again. I would love to fight any of the guys I have lost to, but we’ll see what happens with that. I can’t fight on emotion, so I don’t put emotion into it. One day at a time, man. One day at a time. If I start looking down the road too much I get flustered.
Tapology: Are you looking to fight more often in 2010 compared with your last two years?
Hieron: Yeah, I would like to fight more often this year. Last year and the year before that I only had two fights per year, and the year before that I think I fought about five times, so it all depends on how healthy I am and all that.
Tapology: Any other comments on your fight?
Hieron: Look out for me. It’s going to be a great fight. Joe Riggs is a great fighter and I can’t wait to get out there and mix it up with him. I’d like to thank everyone at Xtreme Couture, my sponsors, Affliction and Everlast. Thanks to the fans for keeping up with me and showing their support. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
