Zak Cummmings Says Nathan Coy Was Out For a While Before Their UFC on FOX 24 Bout Ended

Zak Cummings spoke with MMAjunkie following his win over Nathan Coy at UFC on FOX 24. Some highlights are below:

On holding onto his hold until the ref intervened: “I knew he was out, but I don’t stop until the ref stops me. It’s a tough thing because I’ve had fights where they’ve tapped, I let go, and the ref didn’t see it. It’s happened to me personally. It’s one of those where I knew he was out, but some guys play those little games where they’ll start breathing weird, or they’ll do stuff, and you’ll loosen up, and they wake up real fast. Really, I don’t stop until the ref stops me.”

On how the fight went: “I was kind of surprised that he stood with me as long as he did; I thought he was going to wrestle pretty quick. Him sitting in the pocket and throwing a couple of jabs out caught me off guard. I knew once I hit him, he’d probably change his mind, but he didn’t. Props to him. When he took the shot, I was ready for it, and I did what I do best and put guys away.”

On Coy being out in the hold: “He was out quite a while, I think, before they stopped it. I knew I had it immediately, but I was just happy to get it before the bell rang. I hate it. It scares me. But I don’t stop. You can’t do it.”

On his success in the company: “This is my eighth fight in the UFC, but half of the people don’t know who I am. I feel like people always say, ‘Oh, he’s this country boy that can take a hard shot. He’s pretty strong. He’s big.’ It’s always, ‘He’s tough. He can grind.’ It’s not, ‘He’s a talented fighter. He’s very well-rounded.’ I’m a black belt in jiu-jitsu. I have good striking. I was a collegiate wrestler. I’ve got all the tools. I really do. I feel like I’m not your typical, model-looking, six-pack fighter. I don’t get the respect I deserve. I really don’t. I just kind of want to get some more respect. I’ve been here. I’ve loved the company. I’ll do anything for them. Start building me. I deserve it.”