News

Michael Jai White, Actor/Director Of ‘Never Back Down: No Surrender’ On How To Prepare For A Fight


Michael Jai White On Josh Barnett, ‘Never Back… by uSports

Michael Jai White, martial artist, star and director of the new action film Never Back Down: No Surrender sat down exclusively with uSports to explain how best to prepare for a big fight.

Michael Jai White On How To Prepare For A Fight

“I basically listen to music, you know” White, 48, said with a laugh. “I would listen to music and even though you’d have all this nervous energy, I would just suppress ALL my energy and I would warm up late, to the point where I’d just be overflowing by the time I had the fight.”

White’s film focuses on the world of mixed martial arts, and he also recently weighed in on the passing of legendary MMA fighter Kimbo Slice, whom he was fortunate enough to personally meet and train with.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

“I would keep the governor down, and I wouldn’t do very much of anything. My energy was then abundant by the time I had the fight.”

White recently got into a bit of a controversy after he said winning an Oscar ruins an actor’s career.

“For the love of God please do not nominate me for an Oscar!” the actor/director said, spurring backlash. However, he then stated he stood by that comment, when asked if he had any regrets.

“The only regret is how negative people try to take anything,” said White in a recent interview with BET. “I regret saying anybody’s name because instead of using a name to express the point, social media people try to insinuate that I’m going after that person. No, I don’t regret anything I said. I just regret the negative spin that people try to put on to things just because negative sells. There was not one negative thing that I meant towards any person, especially the idea that I was attacking people that were absolute friends of mine and have been friends for 20 years.”

Like
Like Love Haha Wow Sad Angry
Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Recent Posts

Gavin McKenna, Projected No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft, Charged With Assault, Faces Possible 20 Years In Prison

Penn State men’s hockey player Gavin McKenna has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault. …

15 hours ago

50 Sports Greats Who Died In 2025: Princeton Receiver Martin ‘Tiger’ Bech In New Orleans’ Terror Attack At 27

On January 1, former Princeton wide receiver and return specialist Martin "Tiger" Bech died during…

15 hours ago

Two Former Champions – Anthony Davis & Khris Middleton – Swap Teams

Just a year after being traded for Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis has been sent to…

16 hours ago

Jaden Ivey Sent To Bulls In Three-Team Trade- Looks To Prove Himself In Chicago

The Chicago Bulls will get young bucket-getter Jaden Ivey in a three-team deal.  On Feb.…

1 day ago

Jazz Trade For Jaren Jackson Jr. To Bolster Defense

The Utah Jazz show some surprise aggression on the trade market by trading for Jaren…

1 day ago

Nike Under Investigation By Trump Administration For Discriminating Against White People

Nike is currently under investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC has accused…

1 day ago