Sherdog: Hi Paul, how are you doing?
Paul: Great. No problems.
Sherdog: You've fought Ronaldo before. You beat him. Is tomorrow night going to be any different?
Paul: Nope, it'll be exactly the same!
Sherdog: You mean you think he'll quit?
Paul: I'll force him to quit. No, seriously I think it'll be a hard fight. The first round, especially. I'm a slow starter and he's a quick starter. His best chance to beat me will be early in the first round, while I'm still dry. After I get a bit of a sweat on me, his job will become a hell of a lot harder. Look for me to come out defensive in the first round.
Sherdog: How about the second and third rounds?
Paul: Full steam ahead!
Sherdog: What do you think of Dave O'Donnell and Andy Gear's idea to throw a blow-up sheep at you during your entrance?
Paul: I think I'll f**k it! Nah, I'd just laugh. I'm not bringing one myself, but I wouldn't be surprised if some joker brings one out. There's always someone.
Sherdog: You're different to most of the fighters here. Everyone else is looking mean and serious, with their poker faces all set. And here you are talking about f**king sheep.
Paul: Everybody always thinks I'm not serious and that's because this ain't serious to me. It's a game.
Sherdog: So why play the game?
Paul: Well it gets me out of the house! I used to box and kick box, but I got bored of that so I stopped. Now I play this game and it's fun.
Sherdog: How did you get into MMA? How long have you been fighting?
Paul: I've been doing this since 1999. There was a club that opened in Cardiff. I showed up one day and we got going.
Sherdog: How many fights have you had since then? Sherdog has you with a record of 21-15-3.
Paul: I'm not sure how many I've fought. I haven't kept good records. Somewhere in the upper 40's? I know Sherdog has me having fought 39 fights, but that's missing a few.
Sherdog: Paul, "Stella, the food of champions"?
Paul: Bloody well is, as long as Kronenbourg's not available. I don't live the fighter lifestyle.
Sherdog: I've noticed. Do you think that affects you?
Paul: Physically, maybe it does. Mentally no, I think it helps. I train and fight for enjoyment. The minute I stop enjoying it, I'll stop altogether.
Sherdog: What's your prediction for tomorrow night then?
Paul: A stoppage for me. Nah, not really. If it finishes in the first round, then Ronaldo will have won. If it finishes in the second or third, then it's mine.
Sherdog: I think that's the first time I've heard a fighter predict that his opponent may win. Everybody else has been telling me how they'll definitely in, and as I understand it, that's a crucial part of fighting, isn't it? You have to believe that you'll win.
Paul: I think it's a pointless exercise. Why second guess? You've got two people fighting and if both are saying they're going to win then one is lying to himself and what's the point of doing that? Better to go in with your eyes open. I can win or lose, and I'm not afraid to accept that. To do otherwise is just to kid yourself. This way there's no pressure, I get in there and do what I do and if I win, then great.
Sherdog: Where do you see yourself going in the future?
Paul: After the fight I'm going to the pub!
Sherdog: Good plan! Good luck Paul.