If you didn’t know , you might think he’s some 22-year-old hotshot ready to take on the world as he talks about staying ready to fight in the new normal, where multiple opportunities are often a phone call away.
“I think with the pandemic and the s**t going on with injuries and people getting sick and guys not having passports, as long as I stay ready and I stay sharp, I could get a phone call again four weeks after this,” said Birchak, who opens up UFC Fight Night on Saturday against Tony Gravely. “So as long as I stay healthy, as long as I stop my bulls**t outside of the gym and I don't celebrate my birthday and have too much fun (Laughs), I think I can keep the mind and body in a good spot and if the phone rings, I'm able to answer it and continue to stay active.