International travel can be one of the most daunting challenges for professional MMA fighters before stepping into the cage. Working through the jet lag, finding a place to train, and locating food that fits their dietary needs while cutting weight can all be hard. However, when you're also the chef at an upscale steakhouse, there are some added benefits.

UFC featherweight Charles Rosa, who splits his time working as a chef at Cut 432 in Delray Beach, Florida, told FloCombat.com's Top Turtle MMA Podcast that he loves fighting on the road. In addition to having no issues being the "bad guy" in a fight, Rosa also takes the opportunity to get new ideas for his other job.

Later this month, the 31-year-old will take his search for culinary inspiration overseas for his next fight against Mizuto Hirota at UFC Fight Night 117 in Saitama, Japan, on Sept. 22.

"I'm going there for business, the fight in Japan, but I'm going to soak in as much as I can… every time I travel I always get cool new ideas," Rosa said.

While he has picked up new ideas in his international fights in Mexico and Sweden, he does admit that it can be tricky. Rosa usually can't try all the foods he'd like to due to pre-fight weight cuts and dietary restrictions.

"Yeah 100 percent. [Not being able to eat what I want] is definitely one of the biggest things," he said. "Culinary arts and food are definitely one of my other passions. So when I go there, sometimes I'll live vicariously through my coach."

As Rosa enjoys the smells and presentation of the food that his coach and family eat, he also makes notes in his special chef's notebook. After the fight, he gets his opportunity to make up for lost time.

"Obviously I have a day or two after the fight to see what I wanted the most and get to try it out," he said.

Even though Rosa is excited about the prospect of checking out some authentic Japanese cuisine, he's still got his eyes on the prize. His matchup with a solid grappler in Hirota may be Rosa's first in the UFC in which he fights a striker who doesn't have a strike-first mentality. Rosa, a three-time fight of the night winner in the UFC, hopes that that will lead him towards another bonus.

Rosa's last fight of the night honor came in a third-round TKO loss to Shane Burgos at UFC 210 in April.

"It was a bittersweet defeat with getting the bonus," Rosa said. "I'm hoping when September 22 comes, I'll be able to cash in and get a little bit more."

And if his hopes are fulfilled, he'll have plenty of more opportunity to see more international food.