Heavy handed: Former UFC champion Forrest Griffin (right) at Gymea. Picture: Chris Lane
JUST weeks after Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos trained with Cronulla Sharks, another former UFC champion Forrest Griffin ventured just kilometres away in Gymea last week.
In an exclusive interview with the Leader, Griffin, 33, spoke about his comeback from an ankle injury, long-term rival Tito Ortiz, and offered advice for Australians preparing to enter The Ultimate Fighting house.
Griffin beat Ortiz in his last-start fight last month. It was the third bout between the pair with Griffin winning the final two fights after losing the opening clash in 2006.
Since the latest loss Ortiz has slammed Griffin's alleged use of testosterone replacement therapy. When asked about Ortiz's comments, Griffin said:
"I don't know what was said. I actually have a life so I don't know what happens on the internet or social media.
"You can talk to people, it turns out, rather than watch stuff on the internet."
An injured ankle has delayed the former UFC light heavyweight champion's preparations for an upcoming fight.
"When you've got a fight coming up you can't stop for those little injuries," he said.
"But obviously I don't have a fight lined up yet so I stopped for a while.
"I think I'll start training pretty soon."
On a whirlwind visit, Griffin stayed for just one night in Australia to promote sponsor BSN at BodyPro Supplements in Gymea.
He has almost completed his third book: "It's a how-to life book," Griffin said.
"I've been a parent now so I'm going to explain how to do that. I've only been doing it for 10 months but I assume I'm awesome at it."
He rose to prominence after winning the first season of the realty-television show, The Ultimate Fighter, and offered a tip to Australians taking part in the latest instalment of the show — Australia v UK, The Smashers.
"Shower often, because you're rolling dudes and you pick up weird things.
"I don't know what type of fungus you have here and with the British guys coming, who knows what they are bringing."