MMACanada.net Catches Up With Alberta's Own Jason 'Dooms' Day About His Upcoming UFC 85 Bout With Michael Bisping

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Sean McManus: Ok, first off we spoke shortly after your UFC 83 victory over Alan Belcher and one of the guys you mentioned you would want to fight was Michael Bisping. Actually, I believe during the interview I asked you if someone were to be injured in the Bisping/Leben fight, would you step in. I believe your answer at the time was 'just make sure my plane ticket is taken care of, and I'm there'. How big of a step does taking this fight seem to you?

Jason Day: It is a huge step for me. I go from an undercard fight to a semi main event fight on Live Pay Per View. I think I opened a lot of eyes with my first fight and this is a great chance to open a whole lot more. My first fight was pretty crazy being in Canada and in front of that huge crowd cheering for me. This will be the exact opposite, so in my first 2 fights I will have had the chance to experience both sides of the spectrum.

Sean McManus: Along the same lines, Bisping fought on the same card as you in Montreal and is really an adopted fan favorite of Canadians everywhere. You are definitely going into hostile territory by fighting him in his backyard - does this present any issues to you?

Jason Day: I don't think it will be much of any issue at all. For my Montreal fight I envisioned the crowd cheering and when I was there it happened just like it did in my head. For this fight I will just have to imagine everyone booing me, the worst possible scenario. I have learned to block the crowd out. In my last fight I didn't realize how loud they were cheering for me until I stopped punching him and stood in the middle of the octagon and took it all in.

Sean McManus: Bisping looked crisp and quick in his MW debut. His striking game is very solid - mind you everyone took note of your striking ability after the Belcher fight as well - how do you feel you match up to Michael in the stand up game?

Jason Day: I think our stand up is very similar. We both like to swing and are very aggressive. It will be a very entertaining stand up battle for sure. I don't see too many weaknesses in his standup so it will be interesting to see how this fight unfolds.

Sean McManus: Bisping's ground game has never really been tested extensively. Do you have a specific idea of how you'd like this fight to unfold?

Jason Day: Of course I would love this fight to go like the Belcher fight but I think Bisping is very durable and will be hard to finish like that. If it goes to the ground I guess we will see what he has in his arsenal but I have a feeling the majority of this fight will be standing. I won't force the takedown but if it is there I will go for it and work my ground and pound and if it is not there, well then the fans are in for one hell of a war on the feet.

Sean McManus: Your ground game was really tight against Belcher, are you looking for more of the same against Bisping? Make Eddie Bravo proud and punish him in that rubber guard!

Jason Day: If it goes to the ground I am at home, when Belcher had me on my back I never felt in danger I was just working to guard. I can't see Bisping holding me down very long if it goes there. I never knew that using the rubber guard would get so much attention. Now I have watched a couple of his (Eddie Bravo) videos and now I know a few tricks from there so it could get interesting.

Sean McManus: When did you find out about the fight?

Jason Day: I found out on Thursday night last week (May 8th). I took a couple weeks off from the gym but luckily I was back in that Monday training hard, I will be ready for whatever he brings!

Sean McManus: Bisping had a quick fight and came out unscathed and I don't even remember Belcher really landing anything on you, so you are both pretty fresh for this one. Obviously staying healthy through UFC 83 helped in taking this fight?

Jason Day: Yeah I came out unscathed in that fight and my cardio was already through the roof so now I have a good base to build on to get ready for this fight.

Sean McManus: Do you think because the UFC has marketed so much around Bisping that he now has more to lose in this fight than you do? What I'm trying to say is - Michael is expected to rip up the MW division, and you were essentially brought in to give Belcher a tough W on his record. You have already done more than the critics thought you would and everyone is waiting for Bisping to do big things in the division. Talk a bit about that.

Jason Day: Bisping does have more to lose in this fight because I am still relatively unknown and he is very well known now because of that show. So as far as the fans go it looks that way. He is expected to do very well and is already considered a contender, I am still clawing my way up the ranks and I am going to use this fight to make a big leap into the top of the division. People tend to think that because I am new to the UFC I am still new to the sport, it took me a long time to get here and I believe I earned my way. I am more than ready to make waves in my division.

Sean McManus: Well Jason, I, along with all of your fans are excited to see you turn around so quickly to face a really tough opponent in Michael Bisping – on his home turf. We wish you all the best in your training leading up to this fight. Take care.

Jason Day: Thanks again.

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