Alan Jouban’s most recent fight may not have gone according to plan, but he’s using defeat as a springboard to improve an aspect of his game he’s admittedly neglected.

Jouban (15-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC), who was recently on a 5-1 UFC run, suffered a first-round knockout loss to Niko Price at UFC Fight Night 114, which took place in August at Mexico City Arena in Mexico. The fight ended in less than two minutes, and with a previous submission defeat to Gunnar Nelson at UFC Fight Night 107, it marked the first time Jouban has suffered consecutive losses.

Prior to succumbing to Price’s strikes in speedy fashion, Jouban said he was feeling as confident as ever. The setback forced him to reevaluate.

“Obviously coming off a loss in my last fight, it was very disappointing,” Jouban told MMAjunkie. “I felt so prepared. I felt in the locker room warming up for that fight like I was going to do something special. I just got caught early. I didn’t get to show everybody what I had. It’s disappointing when you are prepared but you just don’t get the chance because you didn’t make the right move.

“I took a little time off from the heavy sparring and striking, and focused a lot on my grappling as of late. After my fight, I did an entire month of nothing but grappling and wrestling every day just to bring that part of my game back up to par so I can bring it out a little more in my fights.”

Jouban, 34, said he will likely always depend on his striking first, but he doesn’t want to be predictable when he steps in the octagon.

He wants to be dangerous in multiple facets of the sport, and Jouban said he hopes to get a chance to bounce back and show what he’s learned before the end of the year.

“I’m in talks with (UFC matchmaker) Sean Shelby about (fighting in) December,” Jouban said. “I’ve been lobbying for early December. My last two fights were international. I want to try to stay close to home. I don’t know if I’m going to get on (The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale) card. Detroit – there’s a pay-per-view in Detroit (UFC 218). You can most likely see me retuning to the octagon in December.”

What type of opponent does Jouban want, though? His recent fights have ranged from ground specialists to knockout artist to straight brawlers. Jouban said he’s not picky when it comes to opponents and never has been, so whatever type of challenge the UFC deems most appropriate, he said he’s ready to face it.

“No names (in mind) as of now,” Jouban said. “Once you get into the top 10, it has to be a certain name somewhat because only certain fights make sense. The names become more important. Throughout my career, I’ve never turned down a fight. I pick a date or a month that works for me, and then we decided internationally or locally. I let them come back to me with names. I’ll be happy with whoever they give me.”

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