Brady Hiestand talks Rinya Nakamura, layoff since 2024 & becoming firefighter

Summary

Key Points

• Hiestand missed fighting since June 2024 due to tearing his ACL, undergoing surgery, and a subsequent re‑tear, which caused a long layoff. 0:14
• He has fully recovered, feels 100% healthy, and has adjusted his training camp to be more intentional and less over‑training. 0:53
• Hiestand balances his MMA career with a full‑time firefighter job in Spokane, a dream he achieved after volunteering during his time on The Ultimate Fighter. 2:26
• He will face his originally scheduled opponent on September 26 at UFC Fight Night, viewing the bout as a chance to finally check that matchup off his list. 2:37
• He is using his platform to raise awareness and support for Spokane residents affected by recent devastating wild‑land fires. 3:11
• He is not rushing future fights, aiming to fight methodically and potentially continue competing until age 35. 3:37
• His current camp includes new wrestling partners from Seattle and former Division I All‑Americans, while retaining core teammates like Ashton Charlton and Melissa Amaya. 5:02
• He plans a strategic fight approach: aggressive scrambles in round 1, wear‑down tactics in round 2, and deeper pressure in round 3 if needed. 6:03
• He has four fights left on his seven‑fight UFC contract and hopes a strong performance will earn a better deal. 7:58
• He enjoyed a summer of boating on Spokane’s lakes and thanked his meat and seafood sponsors for supporting his diet. 8:53