Brave Legion fighter, Rick "The Horror" Story, fighting out of Vancouver WA, takes on Thiago "The Pitbull" Alves this Saturday May 28th in a 170 lb bout on the main card of UFC 130 in Las Vegas. Story has had a terrific run in the UFC with 5 straight wins, his most recent over Johny Hendriks at the TUF 12 Finale in December, and he looks to make it six in a row with a win over The Pitbull. Story spoke to NWFS from Las Vegas about the fight with Alves...

NW Fightscene: How are you feeling as your fight approaches this Saturday?
Rick Story: Honestly, I feel the best I've ever felt going into a fight. Psychologically, physically, everything's great. I haven't had anything to worry about. I've pushed myself as hard as I could for this training camp. And I thank Pat White and Brave Legion and my team for everything they've done for me to help me get ready for this fight.

NWFS: Obviously, this is your biggest test yet in competition. Have you done anything special in terms of your training or who you are training with?
Story: As far as people that I train with, there wasn't anybody that I brought in. But I have been training obviously on checking kicks and being aware of Muay Thai. Just been really working hard on keeping a high pace and dominant position.

Just having the grinder's mentality going into this one.

NWFS: How do you breakdown Alves to beat him?
Story: Supposedly he's changed his diet and changed his ways so he won't get tired. He looked pretty good against John Howard in his last fight, but then again John Howard didn't push the pace, didn't push the issue. Me going into this one, I'm going to be a rude awakening for him if he takes me lightly. I said it before. I'm a grinder. I'll go in and I'll keep grinding and grinding and grinding. And he's going to have to put me away, otherwise he's going to be in for a long night.

NWFS: A lot of people are saying that whatever Alves shows up, you are the underdog. How do you feel about that?
Story: Man, I'm the underdog in every fight I go in. I don't care what people say. I work hard. I know I work hard. I'm going to impose my will. I'm going to make it my fight.

NWFS: What does your week leading up to the fight look like?
Story: The training camp is usually so intense that this week is like a week of relaxation. Just staying on point and getting ready for that weight cut. That's about it. Its not really too detailed. Make sure I'm not getting crazy with my diet. And just keeping my timing, going over my game plan, and staying fresh.

NWFS: Anyone in the Northwest you want to give a shout out to? 
Story: I'd like to thank my team Brave Legion. And thank my coach Pat White,

my boxing coach Pat Briceno, and Ray Armstrong, another coach that helps me.

And all the people that train at Brave Legion that are supporting me and have supported me through this training camp and previous training camps.

NW Fightscene thanks Rick for taking the time out to speak with us. He will be fighting Thiago Alves this Sat May 28th on the main card of UFC 130 taking place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and on Pay-per-view. More info at UFC.com.

Rick has an online presence at twitter.com/rick_story,  facebook.com/storyri,

& at facebook.com/pages/Rick-The-Horror-Story/172500226105242. To learn more about Brave Legion, the world-class gym where Rick trains at, visit online at bravelegion.com or in person at 14010 NE 3rd Court in Vancouver, WA.