Daniel Cormier shared his insights on the unusual start times for UFC 304 during an episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy with Chael Sonnen. He emphasized the importance of adapting to the time zone where the fight is taking place.
Cormier recounted his personal experience of staying on American time by taking sleeping pills and staying awake all night to acclimate himself to the new time zone. He believes that fighters who arrive later in the week will face a greater challenge in adjusting to the time difference.
For UK UFC fans, late start times are nothing new, as most pay-per-view events begin in the early morning hours due to the time zone difference with the United States. Cormier draws parallels between preparing for these late start times and adapting to other challenges like high altitude in Salt Lake City.
He suggests that fighters should arrive earlier in the week and give themselves ample time, ideally two weeks, to adjust to the new time zone, similar to what he did during his wrestling and fighting career.
Cormier’s advice implies that proper preparation for the time difference can significantly impact fighters’ performance. By following his recommendations and acclimating to the new time zone well in advance, fighters can mitigate the effects of jet lag and ensure they are at their best on fight night.
This strategic approach could prove crucial in maximizing their chances of success, particularly for those competing in events held in different time zones.
