UFC Heavyweight Jared “The Big Show” Rosholt (14-2) Looking to Enter Top 10 at UFC 196

Jared “The Big Show” Rosholt (14-2) – the Sandpoint, Idaho native currently ranked #12 in the UFC Heavyweight division – faces #11 ranked veteran Roy “Big Country” Nelson (21-12) at UFC 196: Werdum vs. Nelson in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 6th, 2016. A three-time All-American Oklahoma State University wrestler, Rosholt is coming off his biggest UFC victory to date: a three-round Unanimous Decision over veteran Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve (26-8) at UFC 193: Rousey vs. Holm in November 2015.

The younger brother of former Bellator and UFC veteran Jake, Rosholt has gone 6-1 in the UFC since making his November 2013 company debut with a Unanimous Decision victory over Walt Harris (7-4). Rosholt then picked up with two more consecutive Unanimous Decision victories over Daniel Omielańczuk (17-5-1) and Soa Palelei (22-5) before suffering his first UFC defeat and only second career loss – a first-round KO loss to longtime MMA veteran Oleksiy Oliynyk (50-9-1) in November 2014 at UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson.

Rosholt rebounded with three consecutive victories over Josh Copeland (9-3) in March 2015, Timothy Johnson (9-2) in August 2015 and the aforementioned Struve victory in November 2015.

Looking to continue the momentum and stay active, Rosholt aims to defeat “Big Country” Nelson and get one step closer towards his ultimate goal: the UFC Heavyweight Championship belt. While preparing the final stages of training camp, Rosholt took the time to speak about wrestling, defeating Stefan Struve and what self-belief means inside – and outside – of MMA.

ON WRESTLING

Wrestling has been very important and I believe is the most important base to have in MMA. With wrestling you can control wether you want the fight to stay on your feet, on the ground, in the clinch or in the open.

Wrestling has taught me how to be tougher than tough. To accept adversity and embrace it.

ON INFLUENCE OF JAKE ROSHOLT

My brother Jake was a good influence to have in athletics because I was able to see success so close to me. It let me know it was very real and possible.

ON STRIKING IMPROVEMENTS

I’ve worked a lot on my striking. I work on it multiple days a week year-round. I’ve switched striking coaching to Jake Ramos now and have spent part of my time up in Colorado at Grudge Gym. I’m trying to improve my striking to the level of my wrestling so I can achieve what I want in the UFC, and that is the belt.

When my striking reaches my wrestling level, I will be the best heavyweight in the UFC.

ON COMPOSURE INSIDE OCTAGON

I try to stay as calm as I can leading up to my fights and in the cage until the fight starts. I believe it’s too taxing and reckless to get too emotionally involved in your competitions, because that will physically drain you.

ON ADMIRED ATHLETES

I admire a lot of athletes. I enjoy watching all pro fighters and seeing what they’re strengths are. Some people find certain styles boring – I find them to be unique. I really enjoy watching professional football players perform.

ON MENTAL DISCIPLINE

Mental discipline is big in all aspects of life and huge in athletics. You can convince yourself that you’re unstoppable, and on the flip side can cause yourself to fail before you ever compete.

The mind is a very powerful thing.

ON SELF-BELIEF

Self-belief is the difference between winning and losing sometimes. If you don’t believe you can achieve it then why do it? To fail? Never.

ON DEFEATING STRUVE

The fight with Stefan Struve helped me show that I belong in the top tier of this sport. It just helped reassure me that I can win with injuries and in tough situations against good guys.

ON FACING NELSON

I expect that Roy Nelson will try to do what Roy Nelson does: knock me out with his big right hand. Roy is a veteran of the sport and has been in the Top Ten for a lot of his career.

A win over him would move me into the Top Ten of the UFC and ultimately propel me toward the goal of winning the Heavyweight belt.