Brett Johns: Ymladdwr UFC


Brett Johns: Ymladdwr UFC

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-Pontarddulais near Swansea.

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-At one time,

-it was a busy industrial town.

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-Nowadays, there's very little

-to keep the young people here.

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-Many follow the path out of town.

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-It isn't an easy journey either.

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-One lad from Pontarddulais

-is determined of succeeding.

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-He's literally fighting his way out.

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-His dream is

-to be the first Welshman...

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-..to reach the top of cage fighting.

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-He's fighting in the UFC.

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-MMA or cage fighting is a sport

-that's growing in popularity.

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-The Ultimate Fighting Championship

-or UFC is the peak.

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-This is where the worldwide

-attention is and the big money.

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-The ferocity of the octagon

-isn't for the faint of heart.

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-But this is the stage and ambition

-of every fighter.

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-The path to the UFC isn't easy.

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-A young fighter needs

-to win several championships...

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-..and make a name for themselves

-before even being considered.

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-No Welshman has succeeded

-to reach the UFC.

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-Yeah!

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-Brett Johns, a young fighter

-from Pontarddulais...

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-..is determined to gain his place as

-the first Welshman to get there.

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-I started when I was four...

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-..I did judo with my stepdad

-at Pontarddulais Judo Club.

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-I love judo.

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-My goal was the 2012 Olympics

-in London.

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-To be honest,

-that was an unrealistic goal.

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-I then started going

-to the gym at Fforest-fach...

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-..that's only down the road for me.

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-I saw one session of MMA

-and I loved it.

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-When I was 13-14, I asked my mother

-when I could fight.

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-When can I go in the cage?

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-She said "No, you can't go

-into a cage until you're 18."

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-I had four years of asking

-my mother if I could go and fight.

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-Four years later,

-Brett got his wish.

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-He stepped in to the octagon

-for the first time.

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-In my first fight,

-I was quite nervous if I'm honest.

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-It was at a sports centre

-in Aberdare.

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-It was under a different set

-of rules, semi pro.

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-I'd won it within a minute

-and a half of the first round.

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-I was crying after the fight.

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-All the emotion had built up.

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-I had my second fight

-a week and a half later.

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-Brett, the quiet, gentle lad

-from Pontarddulais...

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-..got a taste of a new world.

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-A very different world to that

-of his upbringing in Pontarddulais.

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-I lived in a house

-with my mother and stepdad.

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-I lived with my two other brothers

-and sisters.

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-We didn't speak Welsh

-with each other.

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-I didn't start speaking Welsh

-until I went to school.

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-A lot of people in Pontarddulais say

-they can't wait to get out of there.

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-It's my home,

-my family and friends are here.

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-There isn't much in Pontarddulais

-but it is my home.

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-Despite being shy...

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-..Brett was determined

-to develop his fighting skills.

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-He started training

-with Chris Rees in Swansea.

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-First impressions of Brett...

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-..it's funny, he's such a normal,

-quiet, humble guy initially.

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-He's always humble.

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-He gets a little louder

-the more you know him.

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-When I saw him step on the mats

-and start training...

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-..his work ethic and hunger even

-from the first lesson...

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-..I thought if this kid wants to be

-something special, it could happen.

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-Within no time, Brett went on

-to win several professional fights.

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-He took the Welsh

-and British Championships.

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-His next challenge was to compete

-for a World Championship.

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-It's the first step

-to realizing his dream.

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-He's a grafter.

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-So, if you have to pick someone...

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-..who's going to have to do

-six or seven rounds in a night...

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-..Brett's your man.

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-Even though Chris was confident

-that Brett was ready...

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-..Brett was expected to fight

-in a tournament this time.

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-This meant more than one fight.

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-If he won the first...

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-..he'd get a chance to fight

-for the World Championship.

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-There was a guy there

-called David Haggstrom.

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-He was one of the best

-in Europe at that time.

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-He was a favourite

-to win the tournament.

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-Winning against David Haggstrom

-was enough for me.

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-But, I had to fight him,

-three five-minute rounds.

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-An hour and a half after that

-I had to fight a fresh guy...

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-..for the World title

-for five 5-minute rounds.

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-There are four ways to win a fight.

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-You can win on points,

-knock out your opponent...

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-..force your opponent

-to surrender...

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-..or if the opponent

-has no way to defend himself.

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-"And now, the CWFC Bantamweight

-Champion Of The World...

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-..Brett "The Pikey" Johns.

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-Brett pushed his body to the limit

-and was now a World Champion.

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-I never want to do a tournament

-again after that night.

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-Winning my first World belt is

-something I'll remember until I die.

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-Months later, Brett got the chance

-to defend his World Championship.

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-He fought James Brum in Swansea.

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-Cage Wars had never

-come to Swansea before.

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-I was happy the fight was back home.

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-The octagon isn't the only arena

-where fighters go into battle.

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-Brett fights as a bantamweight.

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-It's one of the lightest.

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-It's a constant battle

-to make sure he's within the weight.

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-Unfortunately, part of fighting MMA

-is making weight.

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-Things didn't go to plan

-the day before.

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-We pushed him right to the limit

-and he just missed weight.

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-That meant he had to lose

-the belt on the scales.

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-He had to continue to fight and win

-the fight but lose the title.

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-I was gutted, humiliated

-and just devastated.

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-I remember

-one of the guys helping me out..

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-..Steven, he'd helped me out.

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-He said "It's done now.

-You can't cry about it, it's done."

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-"It's happened."

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-You have to focus on tomorrow.

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-Get straight into that cage

-and you have to win.

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-Despite surrendering

-the World Championship...

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-..Brett had started to cause a stir.

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-He still hadn't lost a fight.

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-People within the sport

-had taken notice.

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-An offer came to fight for a World

-Title in three fights in America.

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-It would be under the

-Titan Fighting Championships.

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-It's one stage lower than the UFC.

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-I'm one of the first guys to go out

-there and fight for a World Title.

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-It's a big deal for me. It's huge.

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-MMA in Europe is massive.

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-There's some very talented guys.

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-The States are still the Mecca

-of MMA so to speak.

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-Going out there and showing

-what he can do...

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-..is going to be a huge step for us.

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-One important part of training

-before the trip to Alabama...

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-..was preparing

-for the time difference.

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-I get up now at 3.00pm.

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-When 9.00pm comes around,

-it's actually my midday session.

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-I train through the night

-and then go to bed at 6.00am.

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-That's the time in Alabama

-in the US.

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-I want to get out there.

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-I can't wait to fight now.

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-Brett is a home bird.

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-He still lives at home

-with his family.

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-Over the last few years...

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-..their support has been

-very important to him.

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-We've all helped, although, I did

-initially give him a time limit.

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-That he needs

-to put a time limit on it...

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-..so if he doesn't get to where

-he wants to be by a certain age...

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-..he needs to look into

-doing something else.

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-It's his dream.

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-I just hope he gets

-to where he wants to go.

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-They sink the drinks.

-And they go home.

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-In the week

-leading up to the fight...

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-..where he loses weight

-for the weight cut, Brett changes.

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-He's like a different person.

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-He's, well, stressed really.

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-So, he has to prepare for the fight.

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-He watches a lot

-of fights on YouTube.

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-The weight cut is very intense.

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-He has to stop carbs, fat and sugar.

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-I'm here when he wants to talk

-but I do step back really.

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-The whole family

-have a role to play.

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-It's my job

-to look after his mindset.

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-That's what I look for.

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-I'm not bothered about training,

-he has Chris.

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-Our stepdad does judo.

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-They know what they're doing.

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-I try to keep Brett's mindset

-strong.

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-I just want to make sure his head's

-in the right place...

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-..before he enters the cage.

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-Brett's stepdad, Andrew,

-has been with him on the journey.

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-He was also a part

-of his early training.

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-Brett's going to hate me for this.

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-If Brett had put the effort in

-to Judo that he has into MMA...

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-..he would have gone a very long

-way, possibly Olympics.

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-He saw the MMA, he went for it.

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-I'm a purist,

-I didn't like it at the time.

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-The more I watch it,

-the more I'm getting to enjoy it.

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-At the time, I didn't think

-it was a good idea. I'll be honest.

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-Brett's too nice. I didn't want

-to see the boy getting upset.

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-He proved me wrong.

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-Completely and utterly.

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-He's such a genuine, genuine,

-nice guy.

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-Everybody I know likes Brett.

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-Not before he was

-World Champion etc...

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-..everybody, his schoolteachers,

-they all loved him, and still do.

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-His baby minder when

-he was little loves him.

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-Everyone who knows Brett or comes in

-contact with him really likes him.

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-He is a nice guy.

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-Everyone in my family

-has a job to help me.

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-Sometimes, when I have bad days...

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-..I sometimes take it out on them,

-but they know that's what happens.

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-With the day

-of the battle getting closer...

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-..the trip to Alabama

-was on everyone's mind.

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-I'm used to seeing him compete.

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-Since he was small in judo.

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-Once he started competing

-when he got old enough.

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-I'm used to him fighting.

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-I'm not frightened

-of him getting hurt.

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-I don't want him

-or the other boy to get hurt.

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-I'm just frightened of him losing.

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-I'm a bit nervous about him going,

-really.

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-You don't like to travel much,

-yourself. I know how he is.

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-His brother and Kyle are going out.

-He's got Chris there.

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-I don't think I'd want to go

-even if I could, to be honest.

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-I don't think I could stand it.

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-This would be the first time

-Brett fought on foreign soil.

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-It was a big step...

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-..considering no Welsh fighter

-had ever won a title in America.

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-A victory would be

-a big step toward the summit.

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-A loss could possibly signal

-an end to the journey.

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-.

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-Subtitles

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-Subtitles

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-Brett Johns's dream

-is to be the first Welshman...

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-..to reach the top in cage fighting.

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-To keep that dream alive,

-Brett had to create history...

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-..and become the first Welshman

-to win a World Title in America.

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-I've had 15 fights,

-five amateur and ten professional.

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-To be honest, they've all been

-within 50 miles of my house.

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-So, to be in Alabama,

-I think it's 4,300 miles away.

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-It's out of the way.

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-To be honest,

-I like coming to the hotels.

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-I watch all the other fighters come.

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-It's a big deal out here.

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-Everyone's very nice.

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-Anyone I see on the street

-say hello.

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-That's quite cool.

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-I don't see that back in Wales.

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-When I got over here, I was like,

-"Hi", I wasn't sure what to say.

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-The coverage I'm getting

-just for this fight is huge.

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-My Twitter is going crazy

-at the moment.

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-I already love fighting

-in the States.

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-I haven't fought yet.

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-I'm looking forward to getting

-the show out of the way...

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-..get my new belt

-and I'll be happy then.

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-I think I've got

-seven or eight pounds to go.

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-It's OK.

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-I'm confident

-that I'll do well in this cut.

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-Brett's big fight was held

-in Mobile in the state of Alabama.

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-It's a part of the Mobile AeroFest

-veterans' festival.

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-It raises money

-for military veterans.

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-It's a cause that's close

-to Brett's heart.

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-It's massive for the soldiers.

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-A lot of my family are soldiers.

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-If I wasn't fighting,

-I'd be a soldier.

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-That's what I would have done.

-I would have joined the army.

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-It's an honour, really

-to fight in front of everyone.

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-Being within the bantamweight...

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-..of nine stone and nine pounds

-is a fight in itself.

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-Brett manages

-to hit the nail on its head.

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-135 dead on.

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-This is the first time Brett's come

-face to face with his opponent.

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-As his name suggests...

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-..Walel "The Gazelle" Watson

-is much bigger than Brett.

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-Watson is the favourite.

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-He's a former UFC fighter.

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-This will be a good test

-for the boy from Pontarddulais.

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-Walel Watson has beaten

-a lot of people.

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-A lot of good people.

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-To beat him

-would be a major step in my career.

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-We've both got tons of cardio,

-tons of energy, tons of technique.

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-Me and him in the cage together

-is making out for a great fight.

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-A victory would be a huge step

-towards his dream.

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-A loss would

-turn it all into a nightmare.

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-Only one person from the UK has won

-a World Title...

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-..in an American based organization.

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-I'm proud to be from Wales.

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-This fight isn't just for me.

-It's for Wales.

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-Ladies and gentlemen,

-fighting out of Swansea, Wales...

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-..Brett "The Pikey" Johns.

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-I'm ready now to go out there

-and do what I was born to do.

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-I'm a fighter, it's what I do.

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-Brett starts the contest

-full of confidence.

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-It looks good

-and he's ahead on points.

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-The blood is flowing

-but Watson is still dangerous.

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-Brett wins the first round.

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-At the start of the second round,

-Brett starts to control the fight.

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-He manages to grab hold of Watson

-and begin to choke him.

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-It's impossible

-for him to escape...

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-..and the all important

-submission comes.

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-Brett is World Champion.

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-The winner by tap out,

-by way of rear naked choke...

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-..and new Titan FC Bantamweight

-Champion, Brett "The Pikey" Johns.

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-I don't have any words, really.

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-I'm happy. I'm very happy.

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-I can't describe what's going

-through my head at the moment.

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-I'm very emotional at the moment.

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-I've just put too much work

-into this belt.

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-It's happened!

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-Chris Rees and my Dad

-have given me everything.

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-Absolutely everything.

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-I just can't say thanks enough.

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-I'm just so happy

-to be going home with a new belt.

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-I've beaten a former UFC fighter.

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-I can't really say anything else.

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-That's all it is, but for me,

-it's the best thing in the world.

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-I just want to go home now

-and celebrate at home.

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-Following success on foreign land

-Brett's happy to be home.

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-He appreciates

-the importance of his victory.

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-Just going back to Cage Warriors

-and winning the first World Title.

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-It was the main event at the

-Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff.

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-I didn't think it could get better

-than that to be honest.

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-A few months later,

-I was in the LC2 in my home town.

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-We sold a lot of tickets there.

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-A few months later, I was fighting

-against a UFC veteran in the US.

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-Nobody's done that from Wales.

-Nobody.

0:20:130:20:16

-I was fighting on the Friday.

0:20:170:20:19

-I was back in the gym on the

-Wednesday morning.

0:20:190:20:22

-I was back and working hard.

0:20:220:20:24

-I was back in the gym

-doing five 5-minute rounds.

0:20:240:20:28

-It's back to a normal regime now.

-I have to train as hard as I can.

0:20:290:20:33

-I am the champion. I know that

-but I train like I'm a challenger.

0:20:330:20:39

-I've got to keep this belt

-to get a chance to go to the UFC.

0:20:390:20:45

-There's no time for a fighter

-to catch his breath.

0:20:470:20:50

-There's another fight

-on the horizon.

0:20:500:20:52

-We were waiting to get the next

-fight confirmed we're very happy...

0:20:530:20:57

-..we'll be flying out to defend

-the belt in Kansas City in July.

0:20:580:21:02

-To be the Champion,

-you've got to defend the belt.

0:21:040:21:07

-That's what we intend on doing.

0:21:070:21:09

-Being a professional MMA fighter

-is a full-time job for Brett.

0:21:100:21:15

-That doesn't leave a lot of time

-for anything else.

0:21:150:21:18

-I stress a lot

-and I don't switch off very well.

0:21:200:21:23

-I don't sleep well

-when a fight's coming up.

0:21:230:21:26

-I think a lot about the fight.

0:21:260:21:27

-One of my weaknesses is

-that I don't have any other focus.

0:21:280:21:33

-I think it's important for fighters

-to have something else.

0:21:330:21:37

-Something

-that isn't connected to fighting.

0:21:370:21:40

-When I'm fighting a guy,

-in the lead up...

0:21:420:21:44

-..I'm thinking about the fight about

-300 times a day at home.

0:21:450:21:48

-I need to switch off

-when I'm at home.

0:21:480:21:51

-It can be a struggle to be honest.

0:21:510:21:54

-As I say, every night when I go

-to bed, I struggle to fall asleep.

0:21:540:21:59

-I'm always thinking about the fight.

0:22:000:22:00

-I'm always thinking about the fight.

-

-He's never been in trouble.

0:22:000:22:03

-He's never tried a cigarette

-in his life. I smoke.

0:22:030:22:07

-But he's never tried that.

0:22:070:22:08

-The only thing is...

0:22:090:22:10

-..I think it's alienated him a bit

-from his old friends.

0:22:100:22:13

-They're still his friends...

0:22:130:22:15

-..but his friends

-that he's had for years...

0:22:160:22:18

-..they work all week, they go out

-on the weekend, they enjoy.

0:22:180:22:22

-Brett's not doing that

-because he can't afford it...

0:22:220:22:25

-..and he's committed to training.

0:22:250:22:27

-He used to have a group

-of tight friends.

0:22:280:22:30

-They were out a lot.

-They'd get drunk a lot, etc.

0:22:300:22:33

-As young teenage men would

-which is fine.

0:22:330:22:35

-Since he's taken this career path,

-he doesn't do it anymore.

0:22:350:22:39

-When you're training that hard,

-you can't.

0:22:400:22:43

-His enjoyment comes

-when he steps in that cage.

0:22:460:22:49

-That's where he gets that enjoyment,

-that's his social life.

0:22:490:22:52

-Kansas is the next step

-of the journey.

0:22:540:22:57

-Brett prepares

-to defend his title...

0:22:570:23:00

-..against Anthony "Sharkbait"

-Gutierrez from the USA.

0:23:000:23:04

-The journey yesterday was long.

0:23:090:23:12

-To be honest, it was less

-travelling than Alabama...

0:23:130:23:18

-..but it was still rather long.

0:23:180:23:21

-We reached the hotel and did

-a bit of a workout out in the sun.

0:23:230:23:28

-It's quite hot here.

0:23:280:23:31

-I'm looking forward

-to the next few days.

0:23:330:23:35

-I'm hoping the weight will be OK.

0:23:350:23:37

-Hopefully Saturday's fight

-will be on.

0:23:370:23:40

-After a long journey...

0:23:400:23:41

-..it's important Brett

-looks after his weight immediately.

0:23:420:23:45

-Not making weight could mean losing

-the title without throwing a punch.

0:23:460:23:50

-This part is very difficult.

0:23:500:23:52

-This part is harder

-than the actual fight.

0:23:520:23:56

-I think I've got about 6 pounds

-to go, maybe less than that now.

0:23:570:24:01

-I went to the toilet this morning.

0:24:010:24:04

-Hopefully we lose that final six

-pounds today.

0:24:040:24:08

-We're on point after that.

0:24:080:24:10

-I'm looking forward to weighing in

-and then drinking something.

0:24:100:24:15

-Roll on four o'clock, I think.

0:24:160:24:18

-In addition

-to caring for his diet...

0:24:200:24:23

-..Brett spends hours

-in the sauna to lose weight.

0:24:230:24:26

-Six pounds, here we go.

0:24:260:24:27

-First one done, three to go.

0:24:330:24:35

-Yes? Happy?

0:24:360:24:37

-Yes? Happy?

-

-Yeah.

0:24:370:24:38

-Good.

0:24:380:24:39

-Brett is under pressure

-to make the weight.

0:24:400:24:43

-He's also starting to feel ill.

0:24:430:24:46

-This is the side

-that people don't see.

0:24:470:24:50

-They see the walk out and the music

-and signing autographs and photos.

0:24:500:24:54

-This is the graft.

0:24:570:24:59

-Anyone who thinks he doesn't work

-for a living, watch this.

0:25:000:25:03

-It's the day of the weigh-in.

0:25:120:25:14

-The worry of making weight is heavy.

0:25:150:25:17

-To make things worse,

-Brett is suffering with a virus.

0:25:170:25:21

-137 even.

0:25:220:25:24

-Brett hasn't reached the weight.

0:25:280:25:30

-He'll get one more chance.

0:25:300:25:33

-He has an hour to lose weight.

0:25:340:25:35

-The hour doesn't make a difference.

0:25:470:25:50

-There's now a genuine concern

-for Brett's health.

0:25:500:25:53

-As he's lost weight so quickly

-and as he has a virus...

0:25:540:25:57

-..he's at risk of organ failure.

0:25:570:26:00

-Let me know,

-whatever you guys decide.

0:26:000:26:03

-But is he clear?

0:26:030:26:06

-Yeah, he's clear.

-Get a drink in you.

0:26:060:26:08

-Do you want to put him

-on the scales again?

0:26:080:26:11

-No.

0:26:110:26:13

-Despite Brett's condition...

0:26:140:26:15

-..the next day, the medical team

-say he's fit to fight.

0:26:160:26:19

-He has to surrender the title.

0:26:190:26:21

-Despite that...

0:26:220:26:23

-..Brett must win the bout

-to retain his undefeated record.

0:26:230:26:29

-Subtitles

0:26:320:26:32

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:26:320:26:34

-Reaching the top is difficult

-for every professional fighter.

0:26:340:26:39

-Brett Johns is in Kansas to defend

-his title as World Champion.

0:26:390:26:44

-There are problems.

0:26:440:26:46

-He's been hit by a virus

-and has failed to make the weight.

0:26:460:26:52

-He has to surrender the title.

0:26:520:26:54

-Despite that

-and despite being weak...

0:26:560:26:59

-..he has to fight and try to keep

-his unbeaten record in the least.

0:26:590:27:03

-I've got a bit of a bug.

0:27:050:27:08

-My stomach is inflamed.

0:27:090:27:12

-That wasn't written in the script. I

-didn't know it was going to happen.

0:27:120:27:17

-I'm a bit gutted with that.

0:27:170:27:19

-It's not my fault

-or anyone's fault.

0:27:190:27:22

-It's just the wrong time.

0:27:220:27:24

-That's the point,

-I was looking good.

0:27:250:27:27

-I know after the fight...

0:27:280:27:29

-...when news of the trouble I've had

-breaks...

0:27:300:27:34

-..I'll be given a bit more slack.

0:27:340:27:36

-At the moment on Twitter, I'm being

-called unprofessional, blah blah.

0:27:360:27:40

-Nobody knows what's happened.

-Only the people close to me know.

0:27:410:27:44

-I was feeling good this morning.

0:27:450:27:47

-I still have

-a slight stomach upset.

0:27:480:27:52

-That's it.

0:27:520:27:54

-I know I'm OK to fight tonight.

0:27:540:27:57

-I'm quite nervous now.

-I'm in the zone.

0:28:030:28:06

-I just want to fight now.

0:28:080:28:10

-That's what I want to do.

0:28:100:28:12

-I'm going to go out there tonight

-and make a statement.

0:28:120:28:16

-In the blue corner, from Missouri,

-Anthony Gutierrez.

0:28:160:28:20

-This guy is good.

0:28:200:28:22

-He wouldn't be fighting for a World

-Title if he wasn't good.

0:28:220:28:25

-He's good but I'm better.

0:28:260:28:28

-Against all logic, Brett will have

-to win to keep his dream alive.

0:28:290:28:34

-From Swansea, Wales, Brett Johns!

0:28:340:28:37

-You feel like the world

-is watching you.

0:28:430:28:46

-Most of the world is doing something

-other than watching the fight.

0:28:460:28:51

-I just want to hear the MC saying

-Brett Johns and not another name.

0:28:510:28:55

-When he says your name, you know

-the last six months of crying...

0:28:550:29:01

-..blood, sweat and tears basically.

0:29:010:29:04

-It overcomes it, you know.

0:29:050:29:07

-Back in Pontarddulais,

-the family are watching.

0:29:090:29:12

-Watching Brett suffer

-is too much for them.

0:29:130:29:16

-Don't let it, Brett, come on.

0:29:250:29:28

-It isn't going well.

0:29:280:29:30

-Brett has a leg injury,

-Chris wants to throw in the towel.

0:29:300:29:34

-Like every fighter worth his salt,

-Brett insists on carrying on.

0:29:340:29:38

-I think he's got it here.

0:29:390:29:41

-There's nothing to separate them,

-the judges will decide.

0:29:410:29:45

-48-47 Gutierrez.

0:29:450:29:48

-What?

0:29:490:29:50

-Judge Jackson Harper,

-48-47 for Johns.

0:29:510:29:56

-Judge Henry Gueary scores it 49-46

-for your winner by split decision...

0:29:580:30:03

-..and still undefeated...

0:30:040:30:07

-Fuck yes!

0:30:100:30:11

-How many things can go wrong in

-two days, do you know what I mean?

0:30:240:30:27

-He twisted awkwardly,

-we thought he'd hurt his knee.

0:30:280:30:31

-He could barely walk.

-He was in a bad way.

0:30:310:30:34

-Between the third and the fourth...

0:30:350:30:37

-..I said we're going to quit,

-we're going to pull this.

0:30:370:30:40

-He said "No, you've got to let me

-get beat up."

0:30:400:30:44

-I could never quit with my family

-and coaches having helped me.

0:30:440:30:49

-I've taken a few knees

-to the face in the fifth round.

0:30:500:30:54

-He was hitting me, I thought "You're

-not taking this away from me."

0:30:540:30:58

-I thought "I have to win this,

-there's no other option."

0:30:590:31:02

-"I can't do nothing else."

0:31:020:31:03

-We've just seen the doctor.

-He tore his hamstring.

0:31:040:31:07

-He tore his hamstring,

-twisted awkwardly.

0:31:070:31:10

-I'm relieved.

0:31:100:31:11

-I'm relieved that it's not the knee.

0:31:110:31:14

-Who knows. We'll get the hamstring

-checked out when we get back.

0:31:140:31:18

-The kid had stomach pain

-for like 24 hours.

0:31:180:31:21

-It left him with cramps

-and he tore his hamstring...

0:31:220:31:25

-..halfway through a five rounder.

0:31:250:31:28

-He changed game plan, he did

-what he needed to do and he won.

0:31:280:31:32

-There's no doubt

-that keeping his unbeaten record...

0:31:360:31:39

-..is a great achievement for Brett.

0:31:390:31:41

-Will the emotional and physical

-torture of Kansas...

0:31:420:31:45

-..take its toll on him?

0:31:450:31:47

-An injury lay off is a frustrating

-time for every fighter.

0:31:520:31:56

-It's a period

-without the adrenalin of the fight.

0:31:560:31:59

-It's also a period without pay.

0:31:590:32:01

-It's very hard.

0:32:060:32:07

-People think, "He's a world MMA

-Champion. He's on big money."

0:32:080:32:11

-No, the money I get from fights like

-that doesn't even pay my coaches.

0:32:110:32:17

-It doesn't pay for my management...

0:32:170:32:19

-..or the food I've eaten

-for the last six weeks...

0:32:200:32:22

-..or the rent I owe my mother.

0:32:230:32:25

-After the Brum fight, there was a

-year and I had to live on 2,000.

0:32:290:32:36

-I had to sell my car.

0:32:380:32:39

-For a week or two,

-I slept in the gym.

0:32:420:32:45

-It was hard.

0:32:450:32:46

-That's why as a person and as Brett

-Johns the fighter...

0:32:480:32:52

-..I'm steps ahead of everyone else.

0:32:520:32:55

-I've sacrificed a lot more.

0:32:560:32:58

-I sold my car for 100

-just to live that month.

0:32:580:33:02

-After that, I came here to the gym,

-slept at the gym...

0:33:020:33:05

-..I got up at 6.00am to train.

0:33:060:33:08

-It's hard

-but in my mind I've done that now.

0:33:080:33:11

-Now, it's just a straight road

-to reach the top...

0:33:110:33:15

-..and make a lot more money.

0:33:150:33:17

-I know now that

-I've got this far on my own.

0:33:190:33:22

-I've had help from a few friends.

-I will pull them to the top with me.

0:33:220:33:26

-Every fighter's body

-suffers constantly.

0:33:320:33:35

-After recovering from a leg injury,

-another problem appears.

0:33:360:33:40

-A shoulder problem.

0:33:400:33:42

-Training's been, well it hasn't been

-good to be honest.

0:33:420:33:46

-I've got shoulder problems.

0:33:460:33:48

-It keeps dislocating

-during training.

0:33:490:33:53

-You lose your motivation

-when you get injured.

0:33:540:33:57

-I just need to carry on training.

0:33:570:34:01

-I might have a good or bad session.

0:34:010:34:03

-That's the game.

0:34:040:34:06

-It's going to happen.

0:34:060:34:07

-I've just got to forget it

-and carry on.

0:34:070:34:10

-The pain in his shoulder gets worse.

0:34:130:34:15

-Brett has arranged to see

-a specialist.

0:34:160:34:19

-I think he's called Mr Pritchard.

0:34:210:34:24

-I've heard good things about him.

0:34:240:34:27

-It'll be good just to know

-what's going on, to be honest.

0:34:270:34:32

-It's been hurting

-for about three weeks.

0:34:330:34:37

-Last week,

-it really hurt quite badly.

0:34:370:34:42

-Now, it's time to go and see.

-A week has gone by.

0:34:420:34:46

-I haven't done anything on the floor

-during training at the gym.

0:34:460:34:50

-Nothing on the floor, no boxing or

-kick boxing or anything like that.

0:34:500:34:56

-But, I'm just gutted to be honest.

0:34:570:35:01

-Maybe they'll say it's nothing...

0:35:010:35:03

-..maybe they'll say

-I need some surgery.

0:35:030:35:07

-I don't know yet.

0:35:070:35:09

-As I say, we'll know in the next ten

-minutes what's going to happen.

0:35:110:35:16

-The news isn't good.

0:35:220:35:23

-He needs an operation on his

-shoulder at a cost of 7,000.

0:35:240:35:29

-It also means Brett will be unable

-to fight for at least five months.

0:35:290:35:34

-I'm disappointed.

-I feel disappointed.

0:35:340:35:37

-I'm just gutted.

0:35:370:35:39

-A lot of things are going

-through my head at the moment.

0:35:400:35:43

-I want to go home now and think

-about the next five months.

0:35:430:35:48

-What's going to happen

-and how I'm going to recover.

0:35:480:35:54

-It's a blow and a threat

-to his career as a fighter.

0:35:570:36:02

-.

0:36:060:36:07

-Subtitles

0:36:080:36:08

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

0:36:080:36:10

-So far, Brett's career

-has been a series of highs and lows.

0:36:140:36:19

-He's won every fight

-as a professional fighter.

0:36:230:36:27

-His dream of being the first

-Welshman...

0:36:270:36:30

-..to reach the UFC's main ring

-still burns brightly.

0:36:300:36:33

-After the shoulder surgery,

-the top is still very far away.

0:36:350:36:40

-I've come back from the op. It was

-a success, everything went well.

0:36:470:36:51

-The shoulder's stronger

-than it was before.

0:36:530:36:56

-Once the bone fused and everything

-went back into place...

0:36:570:37:00

-..it was just a case

-of putting him back...

0:37:010:37:03

-..into a rehabilitation programme.

0:37:040:37:06

-It was difficult mentally.

-I couldn't do what I wanted.

0:37:070:37:10

-I had a shoulder support

-for six weeks.

0:37:100:37:13

-It was frustrating.

-That's a bit of an understatement.

0:37:130:37:17

-Emotionally, he was very down.

0:37:200:37:22

-He put a little weight on

-because he was eating.

0:37:220:37:24

-All normal responses...

0:37:250:37:26

-..things which don't actually matter

-to the average person.

0:37:260:37:30

-But if you're an elite-level

-athlete, it's a big knock.

0:37:300:37:33

-And it was for him.

0:37:340:37:36

-The last few months without fighting

-have taken their toll on Brett.

0:37:400:37:44

-A mental, physical

-and financial toll.

0:37:440:37:48

-It's not a secret.

-The op cost me a lot of money.

0:37:490:37:53

-It's put me in a place

-where I'm struggling to be honest.

0:37:540:37:57

-I can't live without money.

0:37:570:38:00

-I put an exhibition on

-in Gorseinon and Swansea.

0:38:020:38:07

-I'm going to put myself in the

-exhibition to get some money in.

0:38:070:38:11

-I'll also fight.

0:38:110:38:12

-It's a warm-up fight

-to getting back into the game.

0:38:130:38:16

-The road of life can turn

-on the flip of a coin.

0:38:160:38:20

-The next call would change

-the young fighter's life forever.

0:38:200:38:25

-Skype call with Brian Butler,

-Brett's agent.

0:38:270:38:29

-Brett, what's going on?

0:38:300:38:31

-We're recording this for prosperity

-because welcome to the UFC.

0:38:310:38:35

-Brett Johns from Pontarddulais, the

-first Welshman to fight in the UFC.

0:38:390:38:45

-All the emotion of the last seven

-years comes out.

0:38:460:38:50

-All the bad days and the good days

-was all for that.

0:38:500:38:55

-I want to go through my life

-with my memories, not with money.

0:38:580:39:02

-I've got the chance to do both now.

0:39:020:39:04

-It's a win-win situation.

0:39:040:39:06

-Thank you so much, Bri.

0:39:070:39:09

-It's awesome, man!

0:39:090:39:10

-Thank you so much, like.

0:39:110:39:13

-You don't understand what it means.

-You don't.

0:39:130:39:16

-He always cries. So, yeah.

0:39:210:39:24

-It doesn't matter what's happened.

0:39:250:39:28

-He picked up a Diet Pepsi once

-and cried.

0:39:280:39:31

-Brett's signed a contract

-for four fights with the UFC.

0:39:320:39:36

-The first of those will be

-in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

0:39:370:39:40

-It's the first thing on my mind

-every morning...

0:39:410:39:44

-..and the last thing before I sleep.

0:39:450:39:47

-For him to get the call

-is just a real special moment.

0:39:470:39:52

-To see him achieve

-the first part of his dream.

0:39:520:39:55

-We're not done yet.

0:39:550:39:56

-As I say, I say it every time,

-it's a dream come true.

0:39:570:40:00

-Good luck to you.

0:40:010:40:02

-Good luck to you.

-

-Thank you.

0:40:020:40:03

-The only thing

-I have to do now is fight.

0:40:040:40:06

-Despite Brett focusing

-on his fight in Belfast...

0:40:080:40:11

-..he doesn't forget

-about his home patch.

0:40:110:40:14

-He shows his support for

-Celtic Fight Night in Gorseinon.

0:40:140:40:18

-It's also a chance for everyone...

0:40:190:40:22

-..to give the local hero their best

-wishes for his big fight in the UFC.

0:40:220:40:26

-Belfast, a city that's been

-the background to several battles.

0:40:290:40:34

-Before he steps in to the UFC's

-octagon for the first time.

0:40:460:40:49

-Brett has to ensure no problems

-with his weight this time.

0:40:500:40:54

-I've just weighed in

-at 136 lbs on the scales.

0:40:550:40:59

-I can have something to drink now.

0:41:000:41:04

-I'm so happy to make the weight.

0:41:060:41:08

-On the UFC stage, failing to make

-the weight would mean no fight...

0:41:110:41:15

-..and losing 20% of his pay.

0:41:150:41:18

-I'm in the UFC now, so I'd like

-to get as much money as I can.

0:41:210:41:25

-It's a lot of money,

-20% is a hefty portion of the deal.

0:41:250:41:32

-As I say, it wasn't the case today.

0:41:320:41:34

-I'm grateful to my team

-Sam, Ashley and Chris...

0:41:340:41:38

-..for being there to help me

-every step of the way.

0:41:390:41:42

-It was easier today,

-it really was easier today.

0:41:430:41:45

-I think I've found

-the right way of doing the cut now.

0:41:460:41:49

-It's great, I feel good

-and I'm ready for tomorrow now.

0:41:490:41:52

-Rehydration and a meal later.

0:41:530:41:55

-Roll on 6 o'clock

-and the public weigh-ins.

0:41:550:41:57

-There's a fight tomorrow night.

-Thank you.

0:41:580:42:01

-Knowing he's succeeded

-in reaching the weight...

0:42:030:42:06

-..Brett can look forward

-to the public weigh-in...

0:42:070:42:09

-..where the press

-will be in attendance.

0:42:100:42:12

-Brett clearly enjoys the attention

-that comes from fighting in the UFC.

0:42:190:42:24

-He's got plenty

-of support in Belfast.

0:42:240:42:27

-A lot of the boys have come out.

0:42:310:42:32

-I've been talking

-to Brett on Facebook.

0:42:330:42:35

-He looks good and he feels good.

0:42:350:42:38

-I'm happy.

0:42:380:42:39

-He thinks he's the best in the World

-and in my opinion, he is.

0:42:400:42:44

-The weigh-in was brill.

0:42:460:42:47

-It's the first time in my life that

-I've got a six-pack! That's great!

0:42:480:42:52

-I can't wait. I really can't wait.

0:42:520:42:55

-To be honest, I'm not nervous now.

0:42:550:42:58

-But I will be nervous tomorrow

-when I get up.

0:42:580:43:01

-Yes, it's quite a nerve-racking

-experience to be honest.

0:43:010:43:06

-I am confident.

0:43:070:43:09

-I am confident.

0:43:090:43:11

-Pikey, boy!

0:43:120:43:14

-Can we go get drunk

-and eat food now?

0:43:140:43:17

-It's as if Pontarddulais

-has moved to Belfast.

0:43:180:43:21

-The support means everything

-to Brett.

0:43:210:43:24

-It's nice to see someone

-I've grown up with on the mat.

0:43:270:43:30

-Brett is one of the hardest-working

-guys I have ever seen.

0:43:310:43:35

-I'm lucky enough to share a mat

-with him every day.

0:43:360:43:39

-I can't wait to see

-what he does in the UFC.

0:43:400:43:42

-He's in a great place, physically,

-better than ever.

0:43:430:43:47

-Mentally, better than ever.

0:43:470:43:49

-We couldn't ask for any more.

0:43:490:43:52

-You're going to see something

-special come Saturday night.

0:43:520:43:55

-It's the day of the big fight.

0:43:590:44:01

-Brett's opponent is Kwan Ho Kwak

-from South Korea.

0:44:020:44:05

-It's a huge show.

0:44:050:44:07

-I'm not sure if it's a huge show

-for the UFC but it is for me.

0:44:080:44:12

-This is the chance Brett has been

-working toward through his career.

0:44:140:44:18

-The social media has gone bonkers

-to be honest. It's been crazy.

0:44:180:44:22

-Every time I turn my phone on...

0:44:230:44:24

-..I've got another

-fifty notifications on my phone.

0:44:250:44:28

-It's like I've got OCD,

-I have to say thanks to everyone.

0:44:280:44:33

-It's been great.

-I know Wales is behind me.

0:44:330:44:36

-That's all I wanted.

0:44:360:44:38

-It's quite emotional to be honest.

0:44:390:44:41

-Everyone wants to see me do well.

0:44:410:44:43

-I appreciate that people

-have come to watch me.

0:44:430:44:46

-My first fight was at a leisure

-centre in Aberdare.

0:44:470:44:50

-Now I'm in Belfast

-in the main arena.

0:44:500:44:52

-It's a dream come true.

0:44:530:44:55

-I say it all the time but it is.

-I can't say it any other way.

0:44:550:44:59

-It's what I think.

0:44:590:45:00

-I've got a chance

-to fight a guy from South Korea.

0:45:020:45:05

-I need to show what I can do.

-He's a two-time World Champion.

0:45:050:45:09

-I'm also a two-time World Champion.

0:45:090:45:11

-It's a good fight.

-It'll be a hard fight. I'm ready.

0:45:110:45:15

-Here we go.

0:45:160:45:17

-It really is a hard fight.

0:45:230:45:24

-Every fight in the UFC is hard now.

0:45:250:45:27

-It's just the beginning.

0:45:270:45:29

-I hope, well, he hasn't lost,

-I haven't lost.

0:45:300:45:34

-Someone has to lose tonight.

0:45:340:45:36

-I hope it isn't me.

0:45:360:45:38

-For the lad from Pontarddulais...

0:45:420:45:44

-..tonight's the night,

-maybe I can do it tonight.

0:45:440:45:48

-Maybe I can achieve that dream.

0:45:490:45:52

-It could be

-a dream come true tonight.

0:45:520:45:54

-Extremely nervous, I must be honest.

-I'm extremely nervous.

0:46:110:46:15

-Probably because it's the event,

-it's UFC. It's his first one.

0:46:150:46:18

-He's had 17 fights and he's won

-them all. Why expect any different?

0:46:190:46:23

-Titan FC, Bantamweight Champion,

-Brett "The Pikey" Johns.

0:46:300:46:36

-The octagon is no place

-for the faint-hearted.

0:46:360:46:40

-This is the biggest stage.

0:46:400:46:42

-Only one thing matters here,

-winning.

0:46:420:46:45

-That's what Brett succeeds in doing,

-winning his first UFC fight.

0:46:470:46:52

-He won all three rounds.

0:46:530:46:54

-The UFC had to give me a chance.

0:46:550:46:57

-They put me up against

-a good fighter.

0:46:570:47:00

-I took that chance and I won.

-I won well.

0:47:000:47:04

-This guy was the best I've fought.

-He was undefeated.

0:47:060:47:09

-He's never lost and he's a two-time

-World Champion.

0:47:090:47:13

-I was like "yeah, that's the guy I

-want." He's got status.

0:47:130:47:16

-That's what I've taken from him.

0:47:160:47:18

-His nine wins, they go in my basket.

0:47:180:47:21

-Three rounds to nothing.

0:47:220:47:24

-One of the best guys in the world.

0:47:240:47:27

-Three rounds to nothing.

0:47:270:47:29

-Brett Johns

-looked his dream in the eye.

0:47:300:47:33

-Through blood, sweat and tears

-he realized his dream.

0:47:340:47:40

-The first Welshman

-to compete in the UFC.

0:47:420:47:45

-The goal and highest stage

-for all fighters.

0:47:450:47:49

-The stage for Brett Johns

-from Pontarddulais.

0:47:490:47:52

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