Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Achieving greatness so early on, Pulver then found himself treading water as a fighter after leaving the UFC for supposedly greener pastures over a contract dispute following his win over B.J. Penn at UFC 35 in 2002. After a mediocre nomadic stint away from the UFC’s spotlight, he was sure he would reclaim his place among the top lightweights in the world when he returned from his five-and-a-half year exile at UFC 63.
However, it was not to be. Pulver was knocked out in just 47 seconds. It was the first of six losses in his last seven fights that Pulver will tow into his featherweight bout with Javier Vazquez Saturday at WEC 47 in Columbus, Ohio.
Pulver has heard the whispers that he should retire, that he is just a shell of his former self, and that he risks tarnishing a legacy as one of the pioneers of the sport. But at 35, he refuses to seriously consider forsaking the career that has provided him with a sense of identity and validation.
“People telling me to retire is like telling me, ‘It’s time to grow old and die, it’s time to quit what you love,” said a dismissive Pulver. “My window, I know how short it is. I know how much time I have, and I’m grateful for it. I just enjoy it too much.”
Coming off of four consecutive losses, it might be hard for anyone to remain positive, but Pulver insists he has exorcised the depression and anxiety he has battled on and off since childhood, demons fastened to his psyche courtesy of his alcoholic father and the hard times his career had fallen upon.
The birth of his son Karson, marriage and a move back to Idaho -- where he wrestled for Boise State -- all played a part in his healing, according to Pulver. He expects to reap the benefits when he squares off with Vazquez.
Another big piece of Pulver’s recovery has been reuniting with his former teammate Tony Fryklund. They were training partners in Iowa when Team Miletich was the most fearsome assemblage of fighting talent in the world. Pulver leaned heavily on Fryklund and saw him as an adoptive big brother and a security blanket of sorts.
“He was always there, for all my big wins and was a guy I could always count on,” said Pulver. “He is in Boise with me now and it has been a big thing for me and my confidence.”
“Little Evil” will have to draw on that confidence, as well as his famed punching power, if he wants to get past Vazquez.
“This whole thing has been fun, this whole week has been just a blast and I think I’m going to benefit from all of it,” said Pulver. “I don’t think that dizziness and that choking feeling when I get out there in that cage and that lost, blurred tunnel vision -- I don’t think it’s going to be there because I love listening to Tony, I love the way he gets me built up.”
Pulver will bring quite a bit more muscle into this fight, his sixth since dropping to featherweight. His depression had sapped him of his desire to eat and he says he didn’t really have to cut any weight for his fights despite moving down from 155 to 145 pounds.
A heavy dose of powerlifting and a renewed appetite have added some bulk to his diminutive frame and he is looking forward to employing that greater strength. He did not want to get into the specifics of his weight gain, but eventually relented.
“We were healthy,” said Pulver with a revealing smile. “I was 192 in November. Mind you, there wasn’t no running or cardio, it was just straight lifting and eating.”
Pulver’s healthier appearance hints that me might have a surprise up his sleeve. For all those who think he is done or should hang them up, Pulver has a clear message.
“Cinderella man part two is in the making, I am going to surprise a lot of people,” he said.
No matter how unlikely that scenario may be, Pulver has already accomplished a lot if he can maintain his positive outlook. The serenity he has found has put him at ease, not just with himself, but also as a fighter and he, for one, couldn’t be happier.
“I can’t help it, I just can’t stop smiling,” said Pulver. “I love it.”