Rory Singer can put people to sleep inside the octagon and out. Singer already has one year of medical school under his belt as he works towards becoming a nurse anaesthetist. So it is possible that the 30-year-old New Jersey native could be knocking you out in the ring or on an operating table.
"Education was always first and it is something I will always have to fall back on, but right now for the first time in my life I’m a full time fighter." said Singer, who has only been training as a full time fighter for a year. Singer already has an engineering degree from the University of Georgia and was in their nursing school, when he went on hiatus to participate on season three of The Ultimate Fighter.
Prior to accepting a spot on the reality show, Singer went 8-5 in mixed martial arts while juggling being a student and training for his fights. Singer admits that fighting is just something he liked to do and the UFC was never a dream like so many other fighters. "I didn’t care if I got into the UFC or not, I even turned down a chance to fight Joe Riggs in the UFC on two weeks notice because I wasn’t ready at the time. I fight because I like to test myself." said Singer.
Singer was eliminated in the semifinals on the reality show, but a win at Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale over Ross Pointon set up his return to the octagon. At Ultimate Fight Night 7, Singer faced fellow Ultimate Fighter alum Josh Haynes. Singer would earn a unanimous victory and the pair would earn the fight of the night bonus.
At UFC 66, Singer’s competition will be raised a few notches as he takes on dangerous Japanese fighter Yushin Okami. "He’s athletic, well-rounded, and has good jiu-jitsu...I’m not taking this fight lightly." said Singer about Okami.
"I have the edge on the feet and have been working hard at stopping takedowns and breaking from the clinch." said Singer. Singer, who is trained by his older brother Adam out of the Hardcore Gym in Athens, Georgia believes that he matches up better with Okami than most people are giving him credit for.
"I don’t mind being the underdog...if people want to underestimate my abilities that’s fine, but I’m well-rounded and what it all comes down to is just me and him in the cage."said Singer. Okami will come into UFC 66 with a mixed martial arts record of 18-3, with the majority of his wins coming from ground and pound.
"Each time I step into the cage, I want to prove I belong." said Singer. Singer has never been knocked out or stopped due to strikes in his career and poses a real test for Okami’s vicious ground and pound.
"I just want to win this fight and keep winning...I have along way to go, but there is nothing I’d rather be doing." said Singer. A win over Okami would be the biggest of Singer career and the biggest win in the history for a nurse anaesthetist. Singer will be looking to put Okami to sleep at UFC 66.
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