5 Things You Might Not Know About Lyman Good

You can sign up for a free seven-day trial of ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC on ESPN+ live on your computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Lyman Good has battled through adversity in life and in his career, having sustained major injuries but managed to soldier on. He’s the type who’d make the most out of every opportunity presented to him, which so far has served him well. On Feb. 2, Good will have another one coming as he faces the biggest task of his career, perennial contender Demian Maia. As he readies his game plan for this UFC Fight Night 144 encounter in Fortaleza, Brazil, here are five things you might not know about “Cyborg.”

1. Shifting from training and fighting to teaching and coaching is something he relishes.

As a student of the martial arts, Good learned the value of having a good coach early in life. This is why he has also dedicated himself to teaching and coaching as his way of giving back to the community. Good has been doing it as far back as 2006 or 2007, and it’s something he loves to do. When he’s not fighting, Good can be seen helping students reach their goals at Team Tiger Schulmann.

2. He considers his mom as his biggest role model.

Good was an 11-year-old kid having a rough childhood when his mother introduced him to martial arts. It not only brought him off the streets but also afforded him the value of diligence. And through it all, he had a strong mother who went through everything but never showed weakness in front of him.

3. He almost signed with EliteXC.

Not many people know this, but Good was actually close to signing with EliteXC shortly before it went out of business. He was set to ink the deal when a good friend who knows about the organization’s financial status came up to him and warned him of the impending shutdown. This friend also presented him the opportunity of joining the Bellator MMA welterweight tournament. The decision came down to signing with an existing organization whose future is uncertain or with an organization that has yet to start, much less flourish. He chose the latter and eventually won the tournament.

4. He could have been in the UFC earlier.

Before getting signed by the UFC in 2015, Good had a chance of entering the organization a year earlier by way of “The Ultimate Fighter 19: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn.” Unfortunately, he was eliminated before the entry round by Ian Stephens, who would become coach Frankie Edgar’s first pick. Two of the season’s most notable alumni are active fighters Dhiego Lima and Corey Anderson.

5. Wanderlei Silva is his biggest idol.

Like many other fighters who love the game, Good appreciates Silva’s dedication to his craft. He loves watching the Brazilian’s fights and considers him an inspiration inside the cage. For him and many of us, a prime Silva is one of the most exciting fighters in the world.