I have also been kicked out of the gym for reeking of alcohol, tasted the agony of defeat, and lost the truest friend I have ever known.

Although I full heartedly believe that I have learned as much from the highs as I did the lows in 2008, the latter part of this year has been marred by the memories of days I never lived.

Something that will never happen again.

Just as I had started to accept the fact that I was not going to be the same person or fighter I was in the past, something changed.

For the first time in my professional career, I had been called out.

On March 28th I will enter the cage to battle a man I have already faced. A man who’s heart I have nothing but respect for. A man who has relocated to train with my old friends and team mates to prepare for this task.

Being known as a fighter who demonstrates more determination than skill in the ring, I feel this has been done in an attempt to extinguish my one stronghold, my heart.

I have been singled out after a six month lay off and a loss in order to advance another mans career. Denying this would be foolish.

Although I stepped away from the sport for a short period of time, this break was necessary for me to grow as a person and acknowledge what truly matters.

One thing is for certain, I am no mans stepping stone.

My demons were laid to rest in 2008.

I fight for so much more than I ever have before.