For 149’s Ryan Jimmo, Insecurity Breeds Succeed

CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA – Ryan Jimmo is a horrible loser.

The Canadian light heavyweight does not take kindly to suffering defeat. Something he realized following his first career loss, which came in his first bout as a professional back in 2007.

“My first fight I lost, and this might sound very bad as a sportsman, but I went in the room after and I threw chairs at the wall,“ Jimmo told FightCove.com at Wednesday’s UFC 149 open workouts. “I dislike losing a lot, and some people may not like that, but most champions are like this, they don’t like losing, they don’t take it good and that’s why they continue to win.”

Since dropping that fight, a first-round TKO to Adam Braidwood, Jimmo has reeled off 16-straight wins, including victories over UFC veterans Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, Wilson Gouveia and Marvin Eastman, and now finds himself ready to make a his UFC debut against Anthony Perosh on Saturday night.

Considering how hot-temperted Jimmo got after that loss to Braidwood, he admittedly never wants to face the bitter feeling of defeat again. If there is one thing that has drives him to continue to pick up W’s, it’s “insecurity”, or never staying complacent with his skills, something he has taken from the best Canadian fighter on the UFC roster, welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

“I’ve seen in other champions like GSP, he feels like he’s never good enough,” Jimmo explained. “He’s insecure so he always feels like he has to improve his skills and he’s relentless in it and that’s why he stays on top and continues to evolve.”

It has been a long time coming for Jimmo to make his UFC debut. He was scheduled to make his UFC debut last January against Karlos Vemola, but an injury forced the 30-year-old out of the event.

He will fight in the octagon for the first time in his home country and is eager to deliver a great fight to the fans.

“It’s very good to be in my own backyard and have my supporters close,” Jimmo said of fighting in Canada. “It feels good, I want to put on a show for everyone.”

As for Jimmo’s opponent at UFC 149, Anthony Perosh, the New Brunswick native realized the threat his opponent presents on the ground, but sees himself as having the advantage wherever the fight goes.

“I think he’s a very good jiu-jitsu player, and I think he has some good experience in the UFC. He’s on a three-fight winning streak so he probably has some confidence coming in, but I believe I outmatch him in the right areas.”

This article was written by Mike Bohn, founder and lead writer of FightCove.com. You can follow Mike on Twitter at @FightCoveMike. Also, be sure to follow @FightCove on Twitter and “Like” Fight Cove on Facebook.