HDNet's 'Fighting Words with Mike Straka' to Feature Greg Jackson

HDNet's 'Fighting Words with Mike Straka' to Feature Greg Jackson

Jackson tells Straka: 'The Octagon is nothing but a laboratory' - airing this Friday, September 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET on HDNet

DALLAS, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- MMA coach Greg Jackson is the featured guest on "Fighting Words with Mike Straka," this Friday, September 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET on HDNet, Your Home for MMA.

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Jackson, who trains some of the biggest names in MMA, from UFC Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, to Light Heavyweight contender Rashad Evans to rising star Jon Jones, tells Straka that even though he is one of the best known coaches in the sport, it's never about him.

"I'm there to help these guys achieve their dreams and come to their potential as fighters," said Jackson. "The Octagon to me is nothing but a laboratory where I can test my ideas. You're in this arms race against people...basically it's a place where I get to evolve, get to figure things out and get to be a true artist."

Jackson, known by many in MMA as "Yoda" or "The Maestro," has been criticized recently for being too strategic, with some MMA observers pointing to Georges St. Pierre's decision victory over Dan Hardy at UFC 112 and Rashad Evan's decision over Rampage Jackson as examples of Jackson's fighters fighting not to lose.

Jackson discusses his strategies for fighters with Straka, but also goes into his philosophy. "It's not all about pragmatism," says Jackson. "It's not all 'if I do A, B, C and D I'm going to win the fight.' You have to have heart, you have to have fire... sometimes you have a broken hand, well, you have to have heart. This is a fight. You have to hit him with the hand," said Jackson.

An exclusive preview clip for the show can be seen at:

http://blog.hdnetfights.com/post/1043282180/fighting-words-greg-jackson

Also on this week's episode, British fighter Ross Pearson, who takes on Cole Miller at UFC Fight Night 22 on September 15 talks about the evolution of Mixed Martial Arts in England, and his journey through the ranks of the UFC Lightweight division.

"Fighting Words with Mike Straka" airs this Friday night, September 3, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. ET on HDNet.

About HDNet

HDNet (www.hd.net) is the independent network with unique and thought-provoking content that appeals to men of all ages and is delivered in true high definition.

HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including television's only HD news feature programs "HDNet World Report," and the Emmy Award winning "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. Only HDNet goes beyond the headlines to deliver real news that is redefining the way we look at our world. HDNet News is provocative, sometimes controversial and always relevant - telling the important stories of our time in-depth, with attitude and with independence. HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries as part of the InFocus series. "NASA on HDNet" presents all live shuttle launches through 2010.

HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the best of Mixed Martial Arts with its Friday night series, "HDNet Fights" (www.hdnetfights.com). "HDNet Fights" works with leading MMA promoters including DREAM, Sengoku, King of the Cage, XFC, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC and more. HDNet produces more live Mixed Martial Arts events than any other network and HDNet's "Inside MMA" is the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving MMA fans their weekly fix for everything MMA, while "Fighting Words with Mike Straka," goes one-on-one with some of the biggest names in the sport. HDNet also features regular season games from the newly formed United Football League.

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