Ricky Turicos discusses comparisons with Tony Ferguson, and idolizing GSP

Andrew Whitelaw from SportsKeeda MMA had an interesting conversation with upcoming UFC talent Ricky Turicos. He spoke about his experience with Alexander Volkanovski, him being compared to Tony Ferguson, GSP being his idol and seeking inspiration from Charles Oliveira.

'Pretty Ricky' Turicos is an upcoming bantamweight fighter in the UFC. Since winning his UFC ticket at The Ultimate Fighter last year, Turicos is set to make his official debut fight against Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev on July 9 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Check out the best from the interview in the transcription below.

Transcription:

Q: What was the whole experience working with Alex Volkanovski, who is arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world right now?

A: I learned so much from Volkanovski and them [the] boys. Some of my favorite things that we learned about were martial arts techniques with the distance, the ground work, etc.

If I could say one [thing] right now, one of the biggest things I learned from Volkanovski was just the physical fitness. The routine that we had put together with the boys was fantastic. I love this physical fitness routine that we’ve got going on, and it is something that I’ll use now forever.

For the rest of my life I’m always going to use this, so mad love to the boys from the Volkanovski squad. Literally training how the champ does, I’m incorporating those things and including them in my regimen.

Q: Another thing I saw in that comment section was a lot of fans, you know how much people love Tony Ferguson.

I think people see a little bit [of] Tony in you, I see the California connection [and] the jiu jitsu. Have you got a lot of comparisons before?

A: Yeah, when the fans say something like that, I humbly say “you know I appreciate it”, Tony Ferguson he [is] a legend.

They’re probably saying that because they’re seeing the grappling and the cardio and the elbows. So, hey, I’ll take it. I appreciate the fans for that one, obviously Ferguson, he is an inspiration.

So yeah, I did get some of those moves from Tony Ferguson, a lot of them, I did get them from Tony watching him when I was growing up.

Q: I saw a photo of you and GSP. What’s it going to be like for you taking on [Aiemann] Zahabi? Of course, he shares the same last name with his brother [Firhas Zahabi] and all that. Is this an intriguing fight for you?

A: Yeah it’s a very intriguing fight, in the sense of that obviously GSP is my idol.

I grew up watching GSP, [he’s] one of my favorite fighters, I’m fighting Aiemann Zahabi. I guess I’ll say one small thing, I remember watching the UFC Primetime with GSP, and Firhas Zahabi was in his corner and everything.

I saw Firhas when I was at [in] the last fight. We chopped it up for a little bit and everything. But I’ve seen what they were doing with the regimen [and] it inspired me as a kid [when] I was a young teenager.

16 years old, going into my first Muay Thai tournament watching UFC Primetime and then seeing what GSP said on [about] the mentality and everything like that.

The mental fortitude, so obviously GSP is a [an] inspiration, I’m fighting Aiemann Zahabi this weekend.

So it’s all good baby, it’s that same thing. So me and Zahabi [have] got to settle it inside the octagon.

Q: Who do you think is the most exciting guy in this division right now?

It’s arguably the best division in the world. Who excites you the most?

A: Good question actually. Right now, I’m a huge Charles Oliveira fan. I saw him right now at the UFC Performance Institute.

So we chopped it up for a little bit. I’m a fan of a lot of fighters, but if I could name one right now? Oliveira. He’s an inspiration. I was actually in there cutting weight right now at the UFC Performance Institute.

And then on the TV, they’ll show UFC clips from Fight Pass etc., and what they had randomly playing was UFC Chronicles with Charles Oliveira.

He was talking about his whole story, through the ups and the downs and he’s an inspiration, so yeah I’m a big Charles Oliveira fan. Then I randomly saw him at the PI, so I gave him a fist bump, [and] we chopped it up real quick.

Q: Have you got a master plan? In terms of getting yourself to the belt, in the quickest way to attack the rankings? Have you got that in your mind mapped out?

A: You know, I do. But not to share too much info, I always just say my favorite quote like Coach Joey says.

I say it to all my homies, I always say “hey one round at a time, one fight at a time, one day at a time”.

So it’s like that.

Timestamps:

Introduction: Ladies and gentlemen, a warm welcome to Ricky Turcio, to making the big full UFC debut.

This time against Aiemann Zahabi, [a] massive fight for you, I was loving, before this interview I saw your interview on The Ultimate Fighter.

In the comments section man, people have so much love for you, there’s a lot of excitement for you.

Do you feel that warmth from everybody, ahead of this fight? (0:00)

Q: What was it like for you, in one evening, to put on a classic fight, win The Ultimate Fighter and get a black belt? And know that you’re in the UFC? (0:42)

Q: What was that whole experience like for you? And what was it like working with Alexander Volkanovski? Arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world right now. (1:15)

Q: Is that the biggest positive from him? Do you think it’s work eththat'syou think is that the reason he’s so good, Volkanovski], do you think? (2:04)

Q: Another thing I saw in that comment section was a lot of fans, you know how much people love Tony Ferguson. I think people see a little bit [of] Tony in you, I see the California connection [and] the jiu jitsu. Have you got a lot of comparisons before? (2:24)

Q: I saw a photo of you and GSP, what’s it going to be like for you taking on [Aiemann] Zahabi?

[He] of course, he has a famous name with his brother [Firhas Zahabi] and all that. Is this an intriguing fight for you? (3:08)

Q: What are your feelings for this one? He’s coming off a really nice KO, do you see yourself submitting him? Where do you see yourself winning it? (4:20)

Q: So I’m sitting out here in south east Asia, I know you’ve got the Filipino heritage, some incredible Wushu fighters out there.

The Team Lakay guys up in the north, you’ve got Manny Pacquiao [as well], who’s your favorite Filipino martial artist of all time? And are you going to be going back there to train ever, do you think? (4:42)

Q: Who do you think is the most exciting guy in this division right now?

It’s arguably the best division in the world. Who excites you the most? (5:15)

Q: What kind of advice do you get from somebody like Urijah Faber, who’s been there and done it all? Now that you’re still at the start of this amazing UFC journey? (6:06)

Q: There’s a few legends in this division still, you know, you’ve still got people like Dominick Cruz, you’ve still got people like Jose Aldo.

Is [are] there any of those guys you want to face before they retire soon? (6:54)

Q: I think one of the reasons that the fans seem to talk to you so much is that you’re fun to watch.

And you’re also fun to listen to, do you understand that side of the game? Do you think it’s important that fighters are also showing their personality in there? (7:26)

Q: Have you got a master plan? In terms of getting yourself to the belt in the quickest way to attack the rankings? Have you got that in your mind mapped out? (8:18)

Q: Will you make a call out after this victory? (8:48)

Q: Ricky [it was] fantastic to speak to you man, best of luck, it’s been a pleasure. (8:51)