Harris takes motivation from family, NBA into Ottawa fight

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard lit up the basketball world and the internet at large with his series ending long-range buzzer beating three and post-shot wave that eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder last week.

It opened a lot of eyes to how great of player Lillard is, but only further cemented that fact for UFC fighter Walt Harris.

A former NCAA basketball player himself at Jacksonville State University, Harris likes what he sees in LIllard as a player and person and how he compares to his favourite NBA player, a recently retired three-time champion.

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“He’s a silent assassin, he just goes about his business, he does his job, he doesn’t talk trash, he’s a good guy and he wins,” Harris told the TSN MMA Show.  “That’s how I carry myself and that’s why I familiarize myself with people like Dwyane Wade and Damian Lillard.  That dude (Lillard) is special.”

Harris will try to emulate some of that success on Saturday when he faces Sergey Spivak at Fight Night Ottawa, the UFC’s first Canadian card of the year.

The-35-year-old’s last bout was a victory over former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski which was overturned to a no-contest after the Alabama fighter failed a drug test due to what was later proven to be a contaminated supplement.  He was given a four-month suspension and stripped of his victory from UFC 232.

Though they pulled the win from his official record, Harris will always remember which fighter had their hand raised after that bout.

“I was upset about it, but at the same time I know I won that fight,” said Harris.  “No one can take that away from me.”

Another aspect of Harris’ life that gives an extra push through training and in fights is family.  With a wife and four kids, he knows the importance of making his time count and treating them right during his off time.

“My wife and I were just discussing what we’re going to do about the kids,” said Harris.  “It’s my motivation to fight and to do what I do, having that access to my kids during camp, it gives me that extra motivation.  I have a great wife that helps me out a ton, I couldn’t do it by myself for sure. “

“Camp is about being selfish, so when I’m out of camp I tend to spoil them because I’m so focused on myself for eight weeks, I just want to do something for them.”

Harris isn’t planning to watch too much tape on his opponent, but is well aware that he’s in for a tough battle against the undefeated Spivak at the Canadian Tire Centre.

“He’s hungry, I’m hungry, so it should be a good fight,” said Harris. 

Speaking of hunger, Harris is looking forward to diving into a poutine during his time in Ottawa, but he’s not going to indulge before stepping into the Octagon.

“I’ll probably wait till after the fight,” said Harris.  “I eat pretty clean so I don’t want to ruin it the week of the fight.  I’ll try to keep a little bit of discipline and have poutine after the fight.”