Grant Brothers MMA second anniversary party: Q&A with Sean Pierson

By Matt Larkin

Guest Writer

Our Grant Brothers MMA second anniversary party Q&A continues with UFC vet Sean Pierson, who is also the wrestling coach at Grant Brothers.

Pierson (11-5) fights in the UFC’s welterweight (170-pound) division, where he has amassed a 1-1 record.

M.L.: How has your life changed after a year in the UFC?

S.P.: It’s weird – I don’t work anymore. That’s how I put things. I know my job is to go out there and perform and train every day, but when you do what you love it doesn’t feel like work. Coming to the gym is not a problem for me. Going into the office is sometimes the problem. I’m not working as much anymore, and  I get recognized a little bit, but I’m not GSP or anything (laughs), so I realize it’s not happening like that. But it’s fun and I wouldn’t trade anything for it right now.

M.L.: Through one year in the UFC, you’ve won once and lost once. How have you changed as a fighter over that span?

S.P.: To be honest, I don’t think winning or losing changes me. I think you’re a new fighter every time you fight. Whether you win or lose, you’ve got to forget about it. You can’t dwell on your losses and you can’t live off your big wins. You’ve got to move on. Your next opponent doesn’t care. He’s there to beat you and I have to be ready. So I’m always trying to improve after every fight.

M.L. Your next fight is against Dong-Hyun Kim (14-1) on December 30. What are your thoughts on him as an opponent?

S.P.: I think he’s a great opponent. I don’t have a full strategy for him yet. We’ll get some ideas of what we want to do. He’s well-rounded. Some people say he’s a striker, being “The Stun Gun,” but I think he’s more of a grappler with a great top game. So we’ll see what happens. But I’m going to back to my roots a bit and you’ll see a lot more wrestling in this fight, I think.

M.L. Jake Ellenberger knocked you out. He was recently quoted saying he could beat (UFC welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre). As someone who’s faced him, do you think that’s fair? What do you think his chances would be?

S.P.: I’ve never even faced Ellenberger. The Sean of the past faced Ellenberger. Like I said, I’ve got a short memory. That’s the way life is. But I think every fighter (in the UFC) should think they could beat GSP. Every fighter here should think they can beat everybody. Because if you don’t think that, don’t fight. I’m not saying I think I could be Georges St-Pierre right now. But I’m saying if you don’t have the confidence in yourself to win these fights, then you shouldn’t be here. So I understand exactly where (Ellenberger’s) coming from. He wants to fight and good for him. Do I think he’s going to beat George? Probably not, but at the same time, everybody has the chance. These gloves are small and Jake hits hard. Anything can happen in this fight.

About Grant Brothers Boxing & MMA GYM: Serving North York, Toronto and the GTA,  Grant Brothers Boxing & MMA Gym offers world-class Boxing, BJJ, Judo, Muay Thai, Sambo, Wrestling, MMA and UFC training at real-world prices.  Classes are taught by certified coaches with classes for men, women, children, adults, beginners and advanced.  Private lessons and boxercise classes are also available. Areas serviced include North York, Etobicoke, Toronto, Scarborough, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan, Brampton and Mississauga.

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