Ryan LaFlare changes training environment in pursuit of perfect year

Long Island’s Ryan LaFlare feels like he can be the best welterweight MMA fighter in the world.

His raw talent and undefeated record prove the potential is there, but for LaFlare (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), reaching the top is going to take much more than what’s got him this far.

That’s why he made a change ahead of Friday’s meeting with John Howard (22-8 MMA, 6-3 UFC) at “UFC Fight Night 39: Nogueira vs. Nelson” in Abu Dhabi.

Instead of splitting his training camp between New York and Florida as he usually does, LaFlare opted to spend the entirety of his preparation in “The Sunshine State” with the Blackzilians.

“No disrespect to being in New York, but I only really had Costas Philippou to push me,” LaFlare told MMAjunkie. “You get used to going with the same guy over and over, you know their tricks.

“When I come down to Florida we can do five rounds and I have a different guy all five rounds. Everyone I train with here is in the UFC, Bellator or World Series of Fighting.”

There’s no denying the Authentic Sports Management-run Blackzilians team has an impressive roster. Former UFC champions such as Rashad Evans and Vitor Belfort are the face of the team, but familiar names such as Anthony Johnson, Michael Johnson, Eddie Alvarez and many more also call the camp home.

LaFlare says access to that level of talent on a consistent basis is unrivaled, which is why he made the change. He’ll still train in his home state of New York in the future, but in his current stage of development, he thinks Florida is the best fit.

“I really do love it down here,” LaFlare said. “These guys have welcomed me in with open arms. I’m going to be doing a lot of training down here, but I also have my gym in New York, so I’ll be back and forth a lot.”

While leaving familiar surroundings is never easy, LaFlare is doing what’s necessary to build off a successful first year in the UFC, which saw him go 3-0 against increasingly difficult competition.

At Friday’s UFC Fight Night event, the 30-year-old will face his most accomplished challenge to date in the form of Howard, a nine-fight UFC veteran who will carry a four-fight winning streak into the contest.

Despite the fact “Doomsday” has three times as much professional experience, LaFlare is convinced his switch in pre-fight scenery has allowed him to polish his skills beyond Howard’s level.

That may come across as arrogant, but to become the best fighter in the world, LaFlare believes it’s necessary to ooze of self-belief.

“If you’re not confident, you shouldn’t be fighting,” LaFlare said. “I believe I can be the best in the world without a doubt. And the best part about that is I’m still learning. I can learn from anybody. If anybody has something to show me, I’m very open-minded and I just continue to try and get better every fight because I want to be the champion.”

After a perfect year in 2013, LaFlare is eager to keep the ball rolling with a flawless 2014. That’s a tall order, but if he can secure a dominant win against Howard, it would be a critical step forward in LaFlare’s quest toward becoming champion.

“I’m healthy, ready to go and I feel like 2014 is going to be my year,” LaFlare said. “You’ll see an even more improved Ryan LaFlare in this fight without a doubt.”

UFC Fight Night 39 takes place at Abu Dhabi’s du Arena. The entire card airs exclusively in the U.S. on UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s recently launched digital network.

For more on UFC Fight Night 39, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.