It’s been a while since I last checked in, so I wanted to look back on what I’ve been up to lately—and remind myself of it all, too. So much has happened that I’ve decided to make more time for the blog, ideally every couple of weeks. I also want to take you along on the road to my next fight. More on that later. First things first.
Japan and Its Strict Sense of Order
In July, I returned to the Land of the Rising Sun, where I spent several years fighting in Rizin. This time, though, it was my first visit as a father—and, really, as the person organizing the whole trip. Flights, transportation, hotels… Even the daily communication with the transportation company took a lot of work. They needed a detailed schedule for every single day. We had a driver, so thankfully I could enjoy the views instead of being behind the wheel. In less than two weeks, we covered a lot of Japan.
I’ve been there several times now, and once again I was struck by how incredibly focused the Japanese are on perfect organization and systems. They need order. Without it, they’re lost. They need to know every detail in advance. It’s almost sad how little room there is for creativity and spontaneity.
Anyway, I really enjoyed Mount Fuji. Beautiful scenery. There’s a more in-depth piece about that still to come.
Hiroshima, of course, also left a strong impression on me, with the traces of that enormous tragedy.
I loved meeting fans in Tokyo, too. I put it together in about twelve hours and honestly thought hardly anyone would show up. I simply posted an Instagram story that evening, and the next day I met a whole crowd of people. An amazing experience, like just about every time I meet fans anywhere in the world.
A Medal That Meant a Lot
In August, I received a medal from the Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute for my charitable support and donations. I wondered whether I even belonged there, surrounded by so many people who had helped the oncology department… It means a lot to me that, through the BJP Foundation, I can support this institution too, and that I helped make its Cancer Prevention Center a reality. That really warms my heart.
Welcoming a Champion
That same week, I went to another interesting event in Brno. We welcomed world fencing champion Alex Choupenitch at Jakubské Square. I was part of the surprise, coming onstage in fencing gear, so beforehand I tried a little foil fencing backstage with Alex himself. I really enjoy getting to know other sports.
An Ambassador and Nine Challenges
I’ve also had a lot of media appearances and commercial shoots lately. Even though they’re part of the job, I enjoy them. I filmed something for Fortuna, for example, and visited Oktagon Gym for the first time. Great place, well laid out, with an atmosphere that lets you focus completely. We have something similar now with Team BJP at Winning Fitness in Brno.
I’m looking forward to seeing the finished Fortuna commercial. The crew knew exactly what they needed, and I think that will show in the result. I’ve been happy with our partnership with Fortuna for a long time, too, because they also help us with charity events and support for amateur athletes.
I also filmed a commercial for Garmin, a brand that’s close to my heart. I’ve been using their watches for about four years, and they’ve been a great way to track how my body is working. They’ve become a real help on my journey as an athlete. That’s why it’s a big honor to be an ambassador for the new Garmin Fénix 9 line. Nine happens to be my favorite number, and Garmin came up with nine challenges for its users. I’ve done all of them myself, and I think they really pack a punch.
I can’t leave out the shoot for Czech Television, either. It’s a completely new show format, and I got to be the first person to represent MMA on it. I consider that a great honor.
A Few Recommendations
By the way, I’d like to point you toward a couple of things we now have in the BJP Store. First, our two forms of magnesium. I’ve been using the one for sleep for a long time because it helps me sleep more deeply. I’ve tested it for myself—I can tell the difference between when I take it and when I don’t.
We also have ashwagandha, which I find really good for winding down and sleeping.
I usually take Energy Magnesium in the morning after breakfast, before training. Or after a workout if I have another session later that day. It keeps my body charged up and the energy flowing.
We also have the popular headbands. They really became known at UFC 320, when I fought Khalil Rountree. It makes me happy that they’ve become such a symbol for the fans.
My Next Fight
There’s a lot of talk right now about when I’ll fight next—and, of course, who my opponent will be. The only thing I can say is that I’ll fight again this year. I originally wanted to fight in October, but the offer for that month came too late for me to get in a full training camp. So I said November or December would work for me.
We’re working through dates in that window now. I hope everything will be agreed on and signed soon. There’s definitely a strong opponent and a serious challenge ahead of me.
A New Addition to the Team
Danny de Vries is now part of my coaching team, though I’ve known him for more than two years. His main focus is striking, which I’ve trained with Martin Karaivanov since the very beginning of my career, and I have to say Danny has fit into our team incredibly well. I’m really happy about that.
I have a lot of respect for Danny’s professionalism. It’s interesting how he teaches his fighters to control the entire situation in a fight. He’s a real tough guy.
We’ve gone all in on training together. I believe—and hope—you’ll see a hell of a difference in my next fight. Victory!