Rick Story | Source: MMAWeekly.com
Up-and-coming UFC welterweight Rick Story is currently riding a three-fight winning streak, while his opponent, Dustin Hazelett, is coming off of the worst loss of his professional career. Nevertheless, the Team Legion Captain knows that a win over “McLovin” will greatly improve his stock in the world’s top promotion.
In an exclusive interview with Tapology’s Steven Kelliher, Story gave his opponent his just dues, but also questioned his ability to withstand the heat that will be coming his way on August 7. Story also discussed his most recent win, a controversial Split Decision over British fighter Nick Osipczak at UFC 112 this past April.
UFC 117 takes place Saturday, August 7 from Oracle Arena in Oakland, California with the main card airing live on Pay Per View.
Tapology: How does it feel to be in the midst of a winning streak in the UFC?
Story: It feels really good. I know that this is more my style, my winning ways. It just seems like it’s supposed to be this way and I’m just going to keep going; I’m not going to quit until I’m old and my body can’t do it any more.
Tapology: After coming off of unquestioned wins over Brian Foster and Jesse Lennox, you hit your first bit of UFC controversy when you won a Split Decision over Nick Osipczak in April. Can you talk about your thoughts on the decision and why you think there was controversy?
Story: I personally think it could have gone either way. I’m not going to take away from Nick—he fought a good fight—but he’s just as much at fault as I am for keeping a fight that close. You’re never supposed to leave it in the judges’ hands to decide a fight, and fortunately for me it came out in my favor. I think I did just a little bit more, especially with my takedowns, to win that fight.
Tapology: Well either way it was obviously a tough fight for both of you. When you went back and looked over the tape, what did you pick out that gave you so much trouble against him? Was it his reach and range with the striking?
Story: Yeah, of course the tall guys that have decent striking always pose a threat to shorter fighters. He caught me with a good knee and some good kicks, but I think the heat affected me more than anything. I got more tired than I should have and even though he was doing the same thing, I don’t really function well in high temperatures.
Tapology: With that said, did you lock onto anything specific in your game that you wanted to improve on after the fight?
Story: I’m always trying to improve my game. I have so much more to learn, but I need to get my reaction time down. There is a place where I want to be and I’m always striving to get there. I looked back at the fight, picked out my flaws, and I’ve been working on them because I don’t want them getting picked apart by my next opponent either.
I would say mainly my reaction time and reflexes need to improve though. There are times in fights where I know I should be throwing, and then by the time I do throw it’s just a little too late. I need to be more comfortable in every situation someone throws at me.
Tapology: You will be fighting Dustin Hazelett at UFC 117. Do you see him as your toughest opponent to date and do you think this is an opportunity for you to break into the upper echelon of that division?
Story: Dustin’s definitely a very tough opponent. I would say a lot of people haven’t really put a face to his name yet, but when they do see him they’re like, ‘Oh, that’s that guy. That guy’s tough.’ Some people mention that he was rocked and finished pretty quickly against Paul Daley and they think he’s not that tough, but I say, ‘Well, you haven’t seen any of his other fights.’
I think that this will turn some heads. My goal is to make this exciting to the point where the UFC does want to put me on the main card and promote me.
Tapology: Hazelett has looked brilliant on the ground at some points. Do you think it would be wise for you to keep this one on the feet or will you mix it up with him?
Story: I think he just reacts off of the aggressor. I’m not going to go in thinking that he won’t shoot on me, but I’ll keep it at my pace and my range and get him reacting to what I’m doing. I haven’t seen him knock anyone out in his fights, so it doesn’t seem like he has knockout power. I can take some shots, so I figure that a stand-up war will be more in my favor.
Tapology: Do you think his last knockout loss to Daley will make him more susceptible to being knocked down if you connect with him?
Story: Yeah I actually do believe that because you see all of these fighters that have never been knocked out before—you can also blame the evolution of the sport—but Chuck Liddell’s a great example. You never used to see him get rocked, then he got knocked out real bad and he’s been getting knocked out every fight since then.
With Hazelett, he didn’t get knocked out with the first punch, but he definitely got put out after that. I do think he’s going to be more susceptible to getting knocked out.
Tapology: What is your prediction for the fight and do you think this one will make the main card?
Story: I think this one is going to make the main card. I plan on having some heated exchanges and I plan on coming out on top. If he wants to roll on the ground I’ll roll on the ground with him and do what I do there but my goal is to keep it on the feet.
