Justin Buchholz: For one, I've made incredible leaps in my jiu-jitsu game. I've always had that ability, but it was my secondary thing. I've always felt like the only way I can get submitted is if I get tired so I've worked more on my cardio. I was always a stand-up fighter, now I don't care to go wherever the fight goes. I'm initiating more take-downs now than ever and I feel more comfortable in doing so. I'm not all about stuffing the take-downs for me anymore. If I get taken down, that's fine because I know I can handle the fight on the ground. I truly believe I've become more of a complete fighter, and everybody else in this camp thinks so as well.

From watching some of his past fights, I'm thinking Danzig might want to keep this fight standing. I certainly welcome that opportunity. I really just love this spot I'm in right now and I just want to put on the best show that I possibly can.

FiveKnuckles.com: It seems to me like you're just starting to come into your own as a fighter?

Justin Buchholz: You know what; I've finally figured this shit out. A lot of guys came up in smaller circuits and when they got to the UFC they were prepared and at the top of their game. I was thrown into the UFC when I was 8-1. At that time, I never even did a jiu-jitsu class. I somehow knocked out every guy that was supposed to submit me along the way. I beat a bunch of tough guys real quick, all in a row and got called up to the big leagues before I was ready. I like to say that I grew up in the UFC so my goal is to reach my peak in this organization. I feel like I'm almost there and I plan on putting on some devastating fights along the way.

FiveKnuckles.com: If the UFC ride ends tomorrow, what can you take away from the experience?

Justin Buchholz: Fighting in the UFC is like playing in the Super Bowl for me. It's funny because even a lot of the successful fighters I run into these days don't know much about this sport. The sport truly started in 1993 when the UFC first originated; most guys couldn't even tell you that. I was reading an article about the fifty greatest fighters and it was ridiculous because it didn't include guys like Marco Ruas, and Mark Kerr, and Maurice Smith, and those fighters were truly groundbreaking. Nobody even thought you were allowed to strike until Maurice Smith came around. Nobody even though you could leg kick until Marco Ruas came around.

I'm a super fan to the core and I followed this sport since its birth. I know everything about the UFC; I know everything about Pride FC. I own almost all of the DVD's and I watch them over and over again. It's special for me to have a chance to fight on the same card as some of these great fighters and I thank God everyday for the opportunity to do this. I don't want to blink my eyes and have it pass me by. I...

Make sure to check back with us the day of the event for free, live, round-by-round coverage of UFC 109 right here at FiveKnuckles.com! Join expert analyst Mike Williams as he takes you through the entire fight card blow-by-blow and then keep it right here for all the post-fight news and notes you can handle!