Joe Stevenson has emerged as one of the top contenders in the 155 pound division. After his decisive victory over Melvin Guillard, Joe sat down with me to talk about a variety of issues. In this Sprawl exclusive Joe talks about his future and the state of the game, Melvin testing positive for cocaine, all the upsets that have occurred lately and much more.
SPRAWL: Congratulations on your victory over Melvin Guillard.
JS: I appreciate the congratulations, I was really pumped up for that fight and afterwards I was like all that for six weeks man! I was expecting a war. I’m sure everyone was expecting one of us to get hit. I mean whether it was his fans or my fans, someone wanted to see some blood.
SPRAWL: Were you surprised how easy it was given all the trash he was talking before the fight?
JS: I was not surprised. I thought it would end quickly from a submission. I thought I would have to weather his athleticism or aggression, but then again, I also thought his emotions could play a factor, and I could catch him slipping.
SPRAWL: That’s two guillotines in a row, is that becoming the Joe Stevenson finishing hold?
JS: Yeah, the funny thing about it is you don’t see too many guillotines let alone from the same fighter. That’s the third fight I finished with the guillotine most happen two minutes into the fight
SPRAWL: Because you’re both still dry?
JS: Exactly
SPRAWL: You caught him with a quick jab that knocked him down. Were you surprised you were able to knock him down with that punch?
JS: No, I work with professional boxers and my boxing coach is awesome. He was throwing for the fences and I was able to stay in the pocket. If I would have backed away he would have been on me like flies on poop. It was cool I’m glad I got too drop him with a punch and it wasn’t just a takedown.
SPRAWL: What was your reaction when you heard he tested positive for cocaine?
JS: I try to stay away from that subject. People make mistakes, things happen; you could absorb that stuff through your skin. I mean this lifestyle is not the easiest. I am just blessed that I have a family, a wife and kids that kick my butt and keep my head on straight. I don’t blame him for that. He has just allowed the wrong influences into his life that he should have backed away from at certain times and in certain situations, it’s just not the right environment.
SPRAWL: Nick Diaz and Diego Sanchez tested positive for marijuana, and now Melvin…
JS: (Cutting in) What you just did was name off a bunch of young fighters that are living the lifestyle. The guys that last in this business like Randy Couture keep their heads clean. I mean your going to make some mistakes, things are going to happen. Most of these guys are college age and have tremendous exposure that most other regular people don’t have. They don’t wait in line at major clubs, and get a table with a bottle when they get in. Your average person has to pay for the cover, and $500 for the bottle. It’s just crazy how much you can get into, and it can go to your head. I just don’t have time for that.
SPRAWL: Did this fight make you next in line for the Sean Sherk / Hermes Franca winner?
JS: Yeah I just have to find someone who wants to fight me in the meanwhile. I’m having trouble finding an opponent, it’s a tough business. I’m a pretty cool guy and the guy I’m going to fight is probably going to be a pretty cool guy. You can’t count on someone upsetting you and talking trash and making you want to train. You can’t count on that, you got to be motivated by the competition and the glory of the sport itself. (UPDATE: Joe’s next opponent will be Kurt Pellegrino)
SPRAWL: I’m sure Melvin’s trash talking definitely helped your last fight?
JS: It did! Because it was like it’s Melvin. I remember waking up one time at 6 in the morning and looking at Burkman at Big Bear and being like do you think Melvin is running right now? And it’s like 8 in Texas I know where he’s training, and he’s like no, and I was like alright and got up and ran.
SPRAWL: Who do you like in the Sherk vs. Franca fight?
JS: That fight can go either way. If it goes to a decision I’m going to give it to Sherk, if it finishes early I’m going to say Franca. If I was going to give someone an advantage I would say Hermes because of Sean’s ring rust.
SPRAWL: What’s your take on Nick Diaz’s fight with Gomi being overturned for marijuana when other fights have not been overturned for steroids?
JS: That’s the stupidest thing I ever heard! When I look at other fights where guys have tested positive for steroids, and it wasn’t overturned and then that happened?!? But then again it’s also how hard you pursue it. If I don’t pursue something like that, I mean that’s easy to attack by getting a good lawyer. It looks like they’re making an example out of him, maybe he did get some slack for decisions he made in the past. Now fighters are going to second guess when they get offered this stuff, but the true fans and fighters all know Nick won that fight. Hands down if he wasn’t on it maybe he finishes it faster.
SPRAWL: What’s your take on all the big upsets lately? We got Serra over GSP, Diaz over Gomi, Gonzaga….
JS: (cutting in) I didn’t think Diaz was an upset. That’s why you shouldn’t bet on the fight game there are so many variables on how you can win or lose that you can’t say what’s going to happen. I didn’t think Randy winning was an upset. You can revert your game plan to whatever you have to have, and whatever advantages you’re going to have to have. It’s just like saying who would win between Chuck and Randy at heavyweight. It’s a whole new ball game. You could say Chuck has won twice but is he ready for the bodyweight? Is he ready for the strength?
SPRAWL: What’s your impression of TUF 5 so far?
JS: This is the best season so far…other than mine of course.
SPRAWL: What do think about the 155 pounders on the show?
JS: It’s a stacked division and it always has been. At heavyweight you can get away with picking and choosing. You got to be careful when you’re picking and choosing at our weight man. There are just so many athletes and so many guys that have been training at a long duration you just don’t know what’s going to happen.
SPRAWL: Do you think it’s awkward for Jens having been knockout by Joe Lauzon who is a contestant on the show?
JS: No, in our business we have to meet with people we beat and lose to everyday, so I don’t think that’s awkward at all, especially for a season veteran like Jens. I mean I shake his hand with him every time I see him and he knocked me out when I was like 16.
SPRAWL: Co-winner from season 2 Rashad Evans has a fight coming up with Tito Ortiz. Who do you like in that fight?
JS: I’m going to have to say either can win, but Rashad has the momentum being undefeated and has risen to the occasion every time it has been presented, but then again Tito is a seasoned veteran. I stay away from predicting all fights now. I would have bet my house on St. Pierre, and now I would be homeless and would be talking to you from a pay phone.
SPRAWL: Anything in closing you would to say to your fans or sponsors?
JS: O Yeah! You mean like Sprawl, which provides me with these shorts that make me look so good. You kids go out there and get a pair you hear.
