After a tumultuous period marked by setbacks and a crucial shift in training environments, AJ Cunningham reveals in an interview with RG that he is ready to explode onto the UFC bantamweight scene.
Cunningham, who recently relocated to the renowned Factory X training facility in Colorado, is brimming with confidence following a period of intense self-reflection and dedicated training.
“I knew right then I had to make a lot of changes,” he explained, reflecting on his decision to leave his previous camp. “Factory X at high altitude has so many great people, so many great names around my weight. I just felt like this was going to be the thing that took me to the next level.”
The move to Factory X has proven to be a game-changer for Cunningham.
“Within these walls,” he enthused, “it's heaven on earth. It's just a bunch of dogs that want to get better, train every day. We're all on the same goal.”
The impact of training alongside elite fighters like Yusuf Zalal and Chris Gutierrez has been profound. “I've never been in a more enjoyable place,” Cunningham declared. “These guys win. And we're headed by the greatest coach in MMA, and that's Coach Montoya.”
Cunningham's admiration for his training partners is evident, particularly his cousin, Bryce Mitchell.
“Bryce Mitchell is, in my opinion, the best in the world,” he stated unequivocally. “He trains his ass off every day. I see him every day here, two, three times a day at strength and conditioning as well.”
Witnessing Mitchell's recent dominant victory over Edson Barboza was an unforgettable experience.
“I could believe it, but I couldn't,” Cunningham recalled. “It was just like an out of nowhere moment. And what's even cooler than that is Bryce mentioned this at that table, like I said, a day or two before he went on and fought Barboza, and he said, he didn't even know my name. He said, no disrespect to them, but come Saturday, he's going to remember my name. And, God, did he put a staple on that, huh?”
Mitchell's resilience and unwavering dedication serve as a powerful inspiration for Cunningham.
“He stays in Arkansas. He stays true to himself,” Cunningham emphasized.
“He's going to be him. He's going to say what he believes. And he trains in his garage on his farm, bringing people in. And he does what he does, man. He's got a number beside his name.”
Cunningham, who has endured his own share of setbacks, is determined to learn from those experiences and emerge stronger. “I'm patching all my holes,” he explained. “I'm getting the one-on-one attention I need, and they're able to break things down, and for this kid to understand, you know?”
A New Step For Cunningham
The move to bantamweight is a significant step for Cunningham, but he's confident in his ability to make the cut.
“When I was back home in Arkansas, I was about 165, 168 pounds walking around," he confessed. “And it was all the El Palenque. We got this badass Mexican restaurant with the just thickest cheese dip and everything. Here at high altitude, there's nothing to eat. I'm walking on 152 pounds, about 5% body fat.”
Cunningham is eager to showcase the fruits of his labor and solidify his place in the UFC bantamweight division.
With a renewed sense of purpose and a formidable training camp behind him, AJ Cunningham is poised to unleash a new and improved version of himself upon the UFC. The bantamweight division should be on notice.
Garrett Kerman
