UFC BJJ champion Andrew Tackett pulled no punches in a recent interview with RingTheBelleMMA, revealing that he turned down a potential match against Andy Murasaki because he simply did not want a boring match.
In a ‘throwback’ interview she just posted, Tackett explained that he was given a list of names to choose from and made his decision based on who would push him and deliver an engaging match for fans.
“I was supposed to go against Andy Murasaki, but I turned him down because his last match was just so boring and he is such a good guard,” Tackett said. “I could totally see myself gaining a match, not being able to pass his guard and him being okay with that, and him just like barely losing and me just like barely winning because I’m pushing the pace the whole time.”
For Tackett, the issue was not about Murasaki’s skill level. He acknowledged that Murasaki is a genuinely strong competitor, but said his style of play is not compatible with the kind of performance he wants to put on.
“I don’t want to compete against someone that’s like okay with barely losing or barely winning,” he said.
Tackett opened up about the mindset gap he has noticed since relocating to Las Vegas and training alongside elite MMA athletes at the UFC Performance Institute. He did not hold back when comparing the two combat sports communities:
“In jiu-jitsu, everyone’s mindset was all like it just it never made sense to me because I would talk to people and they’re like, ‘Man, I hope I win this tournament. Like if I don’t, then oh well.’ MMA guys, I’ll be talking like, ‘Hey, how do you think you’re going to do?’ and they’re like, ‘Brother, I will win at all costs.'”
He added plainly:
“The work ethic, man, jiu-jitsu it needs to gain for sure.”
