“I’m a hundred percent in and I hundred percent feel like we’d get the finish, as well,” he said.
That’s confidence, but not cockiness, and there’s a difference. For proof, just check out McKinney’s social media feeds during the Ziam fight week, where he posted photos with the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Bobby Green, Glover Teixeira, Corey Anderson and Joaquin Buckley, clearly showing respect for his peers as a fan while recognizing that there’s always something new to learn.
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“You can always take something from someone, so I feel like it’s important to stay a fan of the sport and not get prideful because these guys might have a slick little combo for me or some transition that I see that I like and I can implement in my game,” McKinney said. “Fighters should always stay humble in this sport because it’s very humbling.”
Truer words have never been spoken, so it’s important for a fighter to keep his head and do things right not only inside the Octagon, but outside of it, as well. McKinney has got those lessons down pat.
“It’s important because like I tell people, my training camp doesn’t stop until I have the belt, and until that belt’s in my hand, my job’s not done, so I want to keep sharpening my tools,” he said. “I’ll take a little bit off because it’s important to let the body heal, but when you’ve got a dream and goal, it takes sacrifice, and like it says in the song, business before pleasure – that’s just my motto.”
