FiveKnuckles.com: It's like you're the keeper of the gate. Every fighter has to go to you for last second prep work before they go out there. Being that you see the fighters during the moment of truth, what are some of the more interesting things you've seen?

Stitch Duran: I've seen all sorts of personalities, but that's just the way it is. Everybody gets ready in their own way. I wish I could take you through the dressing room so you can see what I see. Some guys are relaxed, some are sleeping, some listen to their iPods, some get all hyped up. Andrei Arlovski would play cards before his fights. Once they get to the Octagon, I put the Vaseline on their faces, the ref does the final check up, and it's go time. Honestly, if the energy down there was colored, the whole arena would be able to see it because it's intense. I can feel the energy coming off the fighters because once they step in there; nobody really knows what the hell is going to happen.

FiveKnuckles.com: Last year, B.J. Penn accused Georges St. Pierre of being too slippery for his liking sparking the "Greasegate" incident. What can you tell us about that?

Stitch Duran: Up until that time, that wasn't something I could control. He may have been greased up, he may not have been, I just don't know. B.J. had an argument and he didn't just make that stuff up. After that happened, we as cut men took the initiative and eliminated that process for the most part. If you look at fights pre-B.J. Penn/GSP, we didn't feel the need to check them thoroughly. Not that they all did it, but if there was any time to do, it would've been then because we didn't check for it. After that event, (UFC on-site coordinator) Burt Watson sat us down and asked what we could do to eliminate the possibility. We came to the conclusion that from now on, the fighters come down the aisle with their camp, they hug their team, and I put vaseline on them after that. Once I put the vaseline on, the ref checks them and they go straight into the Octagon from there so there's no chance of funny business on the outside. Now, are these growing pains that MMA is going through? Sure they are, but we've done our best to eliminate that problem and move forward. I've noticed that every other organization like Strikeforce, Sengoku, and DREAM has followed the same format that we've initiated in the UFC.

FiveKnuckles.com: The least you can do is try to solve problems as they arise, that way you're always moving forward. Speaking of moving, you've had the chance to travel all over the world being employed by the UFC. What's that been like for you?

Stitch Duran: It's a dream come true to go out and see the world at the highest level of our sport. It's one thing to be a tourist, but another thing to go to these great places with all expenses paid and a goal in mind. Wherever we end up, the UFC is the biggest ticket in town for that moment in time and there I am right in the middle of the ring. It doesn't get any better than that and I don't mind the travel...