UFC : Sean McCorkle Feeling Abnormally Good Looking for a Guy His Size

Known more for his quick wit and trash-talking than his skills as a mixed martial artist, Sean McCorkle will be looking to prove to everyone in the sport that he is more than just a comedian on March 26^th.

Prior to making it to the UFC in September of last year, the man they call “Big Sexy” boasted a perfect record of nine wins—including six first-round stoppages—with no losses as a super-sized superheavyweight on Indiana’s regional circuit.

In his Octagon debut at UFC 119, McCorkle submitted former Pride FC and current UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt in just over one minute of action.

Coming off the first defeat of his career—a first-round TKO loss at the hands of Stefan Struve at UFC 124 in late 2010—McCorkle will be looking to get his career back on track with a victory over Christian Morecraft at Ultimate Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis on March 26^th in Seattle, Washington.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with McCorkle about, among other topics, his upcoming bout.

How is life for Sean McCorkle these days?

"I’m tired, sore, and abnormally good looking for a guy my size. "

How are you feeling going into your bout against Christian Morecraft?

"Confident, tired, sore and abnormally good looking for a guy my size."

[Laughs] How has your training been going?

"Other than getting my manhood taken from me on a weekly basis by Tom Erikson, it's been going really well."

Care to elaborate?

"Tom Erikson is a monster. Bears should go to the carnival to wrestle him. I've never been manhandled like that in my life. He's a guy who you literally can't do anything against when you train with him. He takes you down at will, and holds you down until he feels like letting you up. It reminds me of when I was 10 years old trying to wrestle with my dad. I firmly believe that Tom beats more than half the heavyweights in the UFC right now."

How about your weight?

"Why, do I look fat? I’m right at 280 right now. This will be the easiest cut I've had of my three fights in the UFC."

What problems does Christian pose to you?

"I think we're very similar style-wise, and size and strength-wise. When those areas are equal, it comes down to cardio, technique, and luck. "

Do you feel that Christian is your biggest challenge to date?

"I really won't know until the fight starts. Everybody in the UFC is tough, but no matter how much film you watch on someone, you can't really get a feel for how good they are until you're fighting them. "

When we spoke, Christian predicted that he’d win via first-round knockout. Your thoughts?

"Well, I've never be knocked out in my life. Not while fighting, training, or playing any other sport. I don't believe Morecraft has either—oh wait, Struve knocked him out in his last fight. I almost forgot. My bad. "

Ouch. Other than that, any other messages for Christian?

"Yes; Christian, do you like me? Please circle one and return; ‘Yes’, ‘No’ or ‘Kind of’."

[Laughs] Which choice do you think he’s going to circle?

"I'd have to believe he'd circle ‘yes’. I'm very charming. I've been known to turn gay women straight, and straight men gay."

It seems that a lot of guys think that you’re, basically, a funny guy who’s famous for talking a lot—do you think that people are underestimating you for your talking?

"I definitely do. I get more attention from fans and the media than a lot of people feel I deserve. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. I don't think P. Diddy deserves to have $400 million for poorly rhyming words to stolen beats, or designing ugly clothes—but it is what it is. "

[Laughs] Do you think that there are any misconceptions of you?

"I think there are a lot. A lot of people think that I'm cocky or arrogant because I make a lot of jokes that they don't seem to get. What they don't understand is; it's all supposed to be funny—even when it's not."

Do any examples come to mind?

"Pretty much everyone that meets me who is familiar with my interviews or Internet posts tells me I'm nothing like they expected. In real life I'm the nicest guy in the world. Unless someone is paying me to beat you up."

What inspired you to try your hand at mixed martial arts—or beating people up?

"It's just something I always thought I'd be good at. I also kind of always regretted not using my God-given size, strength, and athleticism for something."

Did you ever think that you’d be this successful at it?

"Never in a million years would I have thought it. "

In your honest opinion, how far do you think you can go in this sport?

"I honestly don't know. I'm obviously limited on time because despite my boyish good looks, I'm not getting any younger, but I've only been training seriously for about nine months now."

What is going through your mind in the weeks leading up to a fight?

"Usually I'm just thinking about how badly I want to win, and what the consequences will be if I do, and if I don't."

Have you always had this outlook? Do you find it helps you perform better?

"It actually is quite a hindrance. That's why I've committed myself to focusing 100 per cent on what I need to do to win the fight, and not what the consequences of the outcome will be one way or another."

How about when you step into the cage?

"It's all still surreal to me fighting at the UFC level in front of those kinds of crowds. It feels like it's not really happening. Kind of like it's a dream. "

Is there any other feeling in the world you can compare it to?

"Yes. It's just like when you were little and waiting for your dad to get home from work to spank you for something you did. You just want to get it over with so you can stop thinking about it, and go out and climb trees or something. "

Have you thought about how much longer you’d like to compete?

"It will all depend on how long my body will hold up. I live a clean life, so I don't really drink. I don't and haven't ever done drugs, so I don't think that the idea that I can fight until I'm 40 is unrealistic. "

Have you thought about what you’d like to do when your fighting days are behind you?

"Not really. I take life one day at a time these days. "

Is there anything that you’d like to say to your fans while you have this opportunity?

"Yes, I want to welcome my six new fans I've gained since we last spoke, and let everyone know we are now 18 members strong. "

[Laughs] On the other hand, every time I check out your Twitter page you’re usually being trashed pretty hard by a lot of guys—do you have anything to say to the “Big Sexy” haters out there?

"Yes, as a recovering hater myself you guys need to get clean and stop hating. It's a 12-step program and all 12 steps are the same; stop being jealous. "

[Laughs] Speaking of Twitter—I noticed you don’t “follow” anyone. What would it take to get followed by @BigSexyMcCorkle?

"If I was ever stupid enough to get married again, I would follow my new wife on Twitter. I would think it would make her feel special being the only person I follow, while at the same time giving me the opportunity to check up on her and make sure she's not cheating on me."