Jay Hieron is used to battling through adversity and coming back from difficult situations. Being relegated to the preliminary card for two Strikeforce shows is nothing for the last welterweight champion of the IFL.

Waiting for a title shot is easy when you've spent time wondering if you're going to prison and for how long, a situation Hieron endured before turning his life around and becoming a successful fighter. Now, the man known as "The Thoroughbred" is ready to take the next step in his inspiring turnaround at Strikeforce: Miami against Joe Riggs.

Hieron was kind enough to take a break from training to talk to us.

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Five Knuckles: We'll start by focusing attention where it matters most right now - January 30, 2010 in Miami against Joe Riggs.

How is camp going?

Hieron: Camp's going great; body is healthy, my mind is right and I can't wait to get back out into the cage, do my thing.

FK: Has cutting weight gotten any better since those days of hating it in high school?

Hieron: Yeah, of course. In high school, I was pretty much starving myself when I had to cut weight, and also, I was cutting a lot of weight when I was a kid, and I really didn't know how to do it. I kind of got my body down now, but I don't think anybody likes to cut weight.

FK: The pros and cons of weight cutting have been discussed a number of times. Is it something that you think we'll ever see removed as a factor in this sport, or so long there are divisions and advantages to be had from dropping weight it will remain a part of the game?

Hieron: Yeah, I think so; it will always be a part of the game. Like wrestling, you know, a guy is going to go down to the lowest weight possible so he can do the best he can and feel the strongest he can. The flip side of it is that the guy across from you is doing the same thing.

FK: Have you brought in anyone new to help you get ready for this fight, or is it the usual cast of characters from Xtreme Couture putting you through the paces?

Hieron: That's one of the great things about Las Vegas - we've got so many great fighters out here, and not just mixed martial artists. We've got boxers, we have Muay Thai fighters, so that's been great.

I had some good sparring partners come in and help me out. Anthony Brown, he's like 25-1 as a pro Muay Thai fighter, he's been helping out a big deal, and definitely all my training partners at Xtreme Couture. Everything's been going well.

FK: You've said numerous times before - and rightfully so - that you're one of the best unknown fighters out there. Where would you put yourself in the welterweight division overall?

Hieron: I think I match-up well with anybody, man. I think I'm right there, it's just... I haven't... it's not my time yet, and my time will come. I don't have any control over that.

I know I do my job every time I go out and fight; I do my thing, I've been consistent and it's just one of those things where I just gotta wait my time. Patience is a virtue, so I'm just doing the hard work, keep...