UFC heavyweight Juan Adams looks to snap a two-fight losing streak as he takes on Justin Tafa at UFC 247, and he hopes training at Jackson Wink MMA Academy will lead him to victory.
"It really came together where, after my last fight, it was one of those things where I realized during the camp I was highly frustrated," Adams told theScore. "I'm going on Facebook, begging people to come train with me; any pro in the area over 200 pounds, please help me get ready."
He added: "I talked to a very close friend of mine and (UFC veteran) Mike Guymon, who's also become kind of my mentor. ... I was talking to him about it and, you know, he's like, 'You gotta just be all-in with this.'"
Adams' move to Albuquerque was facilitated by his sponsors, who offered to cover his bills back in Texas. He left for New Mexico one week before Thanksgiving and returned home for only two days at Christmas.
"I came back the morning after Christmas (and) I was in class here," he said.
Adams (5-2) is coming off a 45-second TKO loss to former NFL star Greg Hardy at UFC San Antonio. The 28-year-old now lives in the Jackson Wink dorms and feels the change of scenery has already paid dividends.
"We've just been working nonstop," Adams said. "(UFC heavyweight) Don'Tale Mayes just got back down getting ready for his fight. I've gotten a few rounds with Jon Jones. (UFC light heavyweight) Devin Clark got here a few weeks ago. So it's just been a higher quality of training partners nonstop. I wake up, go train, go take a nap between sessions, get back down there, and try it again. That's been the biggest difference."
UFC 247 takes place at Toyota Center in Houston on Feb. 8. Light heavyweight champ Jones defends his title against undefeated challenger Dominick Reyes in the main event.
