Don’Tale Mayes could have achieved the validation of any vintage slugger—he comes to scrap, carries power in his hands and remains undaunted by return fire—but make no mistake, he has proven to be every bit the technician when the situation calls for it. Having claimed state judo championships in Kansas and Indiana, he has demonstrated an exceptionally adaptable skill set whenever he has been required to do so.
Before the heavyweights lock horns inside the Octagon, here are five things you might not know about the 32-year-old Mayes:
1. He harnessed his hostilities.
Mayes was raised in Louisville, Kentucky, and began training in martial arts as a stream to channel his aggression. Through his lens, training served as an avenue for him to release pent-up energy and helped keep him stay out of trouble. He picked up judo before delving into other disciplines.
2. Outside-the-box lessons forged his identity.
“Lord Kong” hails from the school of hard knocks. While his resume is void of traditional educational credentials, life’s trials and tribulations have been his greatest teacher. Although he was enrolled in Ancilla College, he never received a degree. Regardless, he started competing as an amateur between 2014 and 2015, eventually doubling down on his decision to make fighting a full-time career.
3. He has shown a willingness to get his hands dirty.
In an interview with UFC.com, the 32-year-old Mayes said he worked at Servpro—a renowned fire and water cleanup and restoration company in the United States and Canada—before he embarked on his professional fighting odyssey. While he did not delve into the details of his role there, it seems to have been a gratifying part of his life.
4. He sets lofty goals.
Mayes entered the sport to get paid and chase individual glory. He aspires to become a champion in the talent-stacked heavyweight bracket and initially dreamed of being the first DWCS graduate to lay hands on a UFC title. Although Jamahal Hill beat him to the proverbial punch, the ultimate goal remains the same. Mayes said he draws inspiration from former middleweight king Israel Adesanya’s ascent in the sport: “I’m just trying to get there. Seeing Adesanya do his thing in less than two years gives me a timeline that maybe I can get it done in two years.”
5. He pursues a rising-tide approach to competition.
Mayes wants the heavyweight division to take notice. He wants to be pitted against stiff competition in the weight class and lift it to new heights: “I’m trying to set the standard and raise the bar for the heavyweight division,” he said. “If it’s me fighting the best competition, they can find me. I’m going to do my thing, and I’m going to show up. A fight’s a fight, and I’ve been fighting my whole life. I’m already mentally ready to fight. I just make sure my cardio’s strong and can’t nobody mess with me.”