Why Ramsey Nijem had an emotional post-fight breakdown at UFC Fight Night 35

A roller-coaster year prompted UFC lightweight Ramsey Nijem to break down with emotion following his win over Justin Edwards at UFC Fight Night 35.

“I had a couple of bad [fights], and wasn’t really enjoying fighting,” Nijem told MMAjunkie Radio. “It was hard losing, I’m not going to lie. It’s not just winning and losing. It’s being able to perform. I felt like I haven’t been able to perform the last couple.”

A backstage video highlighting winners and losers at Wednesday’s event, which is available on UFC Fight Pass, shows Nijem overcome with emotion as medical personnel cut off his hand wraps. He also thanks a member of his camp.

After earning a unanimous-decision win over Edwards (8-4 MMA, 2-4 UFC) by scores of 30-27 and 29-28 twice, Nijem (8-4 MMA, 4-3 UFC) dedicated the fight to another person in his corner, the father of Tareq Azim.

On the week of the fight, the trainer’s dad passed away, Nijem said, and it looked doubtful the grieving fighter would make it to the event, which took place at Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga.

At the last minute, Saffiedine came through.

“I dedicated the fight to his dad, which I felt was a very emotional thing because I was close to his father, too,” Nijem said.

But there was more behind the tears that flowed freely after the win.

“A lot of people don’t understand the sacrifices and the blood, sweat and tears of being a fighter,” Nijem said. “They just think a lot of times that you go to the gym and hang out, but it’s a lifestyle. Every meal you eat, you think about how you’re going to lose this weight. There’s no break from it.

“It’s everything you do, and I’m OK with that. When you win, it’s such a relief. If you were able to perform, all that sacrifice was for something.”

Nijem is unsure of what comes next in his career, but after snapping a two-fight skid, he’s optimistic about 2014.

“I got to go out and showcase some of the things I’ve been working on,” he said. “I didn’t show my whole deck of cards yet, which is good. I wanted the finish; Justin is really tough. I have some holes and things I need to improve on, but I’m satisfied with it.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 35, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.