Michael McDonald: I've Been Abstinent for 3-and-a-Half Years

UFC bantamweight contender Michael McDonald is one of the best young prospects on the UFC roster, boasting a 16-2 professional record inside the cage at just 22 years old. 

What's the Oakdale MMA fighter's key to success? Sexual intercourse is a thing of the past for him.

Check out how "Mayday" responded after being asked, "Do you cut sex out before a fight?" during an interview on KMRQ Rock 96.7 radio’s Bueller and Brent show this week, per Fighters Only.

"

“I’ve actually been abstinent from sex for about 3 and a half years now,” McDonald replied. Momentary silence then Bueller cried, “So he’s gonna kick some ass! This is why you’ve been on such a tear!”

“It’s very arguable,” McDonald responded.

"

Whatever is on the agenda to help him prepare for his fights appears to be working, as the California native has won nine of his past 10 bouts. 

His sole blemish during that roughly four-year span was a submission loss to interim bantamweight champ Renan Barao, who is undefeated in his past 32 bouts. 

McDonald rebounded with his most recent victory at UFC Fight Night 26 in August, submitting fellow Top 10 bantamweight Brad Pickett with a triangle choke in the second round. 

The win earned him both "Submission of the Night" and "Fight of the Night" honors for the event. 

Currently ranked the No. 3 bantamweight in the UFC's official rankings, McDonald could catapult himself into another title fight with a win over perennial contender Urijah Faber at UFC on Fox 9 on Saturday. 

Will McDonald's strict training ritual lead him toward another shot at UFC gold in 2014?

John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com.