War. It’s the only way to describe Jared “The Jackhammer” Papazian, and what he brings to the cage every time he enters. Known for the intense and fast paced energy that he brings to the cage, “The Jackhammer” has delivered his intensity across a number of opponents within a number of different promotions – most notably within some unforgettable matches in the UFC.

Jared recently sat down with us to discuss his career, his road back to the UFC, and some of the big issues in the world of MMA today.

What drew you to MMA and fighting in the first place?

I got jumped in high school when I was sixteen, and my whole objective was to properly learn how to fight. My whole objective was to fight those guys one-by-one – but, that never ended up happening. I ended up loving the sport, it became a passion of mine and I ended up running with it. I started doing some fights, and did well, and just took it to the next level.

Who was your inspiration, that you got started into MMA?

My cousin was already doing it as well. He was in the UFC at the time and was on season six of The Ultimate Fighter, Jon Koppenhaver “War Machine”. I was an amateur at the time of the show, so that kind of fired me up even more – seeing him fight live at the finale.

Stuff like that kind of motivated me, but other than that I did all of my own motivating – but, that was kind of icing on the cake.

How would personally characterize your fight-style?

I like to think I am very exciting. I can’t remember the last time, or recall any boring fight that I have ever had in my life. Winning or losing, I really feel like all of my fights are Fight of the Night.

What do you think is the most important technique of MMA to have nailed down?

Take down defense. I feel like that’s probably the biggest key now. It kind of dictates the fight.

Is there any particular fighter you try to model yourself after?

Not really. I pretty much just have my own style… I try and be exciting. I have my fair share of guys that I like, but no one that I would say something like, ‘I wanna be more like that’.

Let’s talk about your recent fight at BAMMA USA: Bad Beat 8. On the main event you pulled down the unanimous event victory. What do you feel was the key to your victory in that fight?

My key to victory was controlling the fight, wherever I wanted it to go. If I wanted to stand, than I feel like I could’ve done that too, but it was my wrestling (that won the fight). We came in with a game plan, just take him out of his comfort zone and put him on his back, then try to control the fight… and it worked.

Was there a point in the fight where you felt like: “I’ve got this!”

I pretty much knew the whole fight, right from the get go (that I had it). Right from our first exchanges, and from my first takedown too, when I knew I had the fight as well. Going into any fight I go in with the frame of mind that I am going to win.

Yeah, you know, in the first round I really knew that I had the fight.

How did you prepare for the fight?

I didn’t bring in anyone in particular for this fight, but I’ve really been working with Chad (George) over at PKG. We came up with that game plan of taking him out of his element, and taking him down and putting him on the ground and what not. I was training and fighting in the gym, so that’s pretty much how we came up with the game plan.

What would you call your ‘home gym’?

It’s partially PKG. I fought at that gym towards the middle of my career, my boxing coaches are there.. And then I started in with Chad (George) and all the guys and I left my boxing coach to work back with my Muay Thai coach, who I had been with since I was 17, but we had a falling out. Then we got back together, so I left PKG. I was at PKG and Gracie Baja Burbank in-between, so I always stayed friends with the guys, and we knew each other. And then I’d kind of been talking to Chad and I just decided to go back and try something new, and then I started working with Chad and the guys. I’m still with my Muay Thai coach, I am just working more with the team.

Most of the guys over there are pretty new. When I was over there before it was just kind of Chad and a few guys… and also Dominic Clark, he’s over there now and was there when I was too.

What would you say has been the most defining fight in your career to-date?

The Mike Easton fight in the UFC (was the most defining fight), I feel like it was the most important fight. People know that fight just because it was such a great fight.

I would say my most important fight of my life was the Abel Cullum fight where I won the King of the Cage title. That was the most important fight of my life, and it was just the greatest feeling ever winning that title.

Any ideas when your next fight is going to be?

I do… I’m going to be fighting May 11th at International Fight Alliance.

If you had your way and you go out there and fight anyone today, who is that one guy you’d love to go three rounds with?

Leonard Garcia. I just feel like that’s going to be Fight of the Night all over! If you could put the best card in UFC history and then compare against me and him, I still think we would do better than that. He just kind of reminds me of myself. I would love to fight him before my career ends. That would be an honour, and I would really enjoy that. I totally respect him, nothing but respect for him – I just think it would be really fun.