​​By Daniel Vreeland 
​
For the vast majority of fighters, there's a sad truth to the MMA world. In combat sports, at some point in time, you are more likely than not going to face a long layoff due to either an injury to yourself or to potential opponents.

In the first three years of Oluwale Bamgbose's career, he faced such troubles. However, after a loss to Cezar Ferreira in April of 2016, Bamgbose hit a string of bad luck that included a canceled fight with the late Josh Samman, a second with Joe Gigliotti, and a third with Tom Breese.

While some find the time off rough and face difficulties staying motivated, Bamgbose saw the positives. In his talk on the Top Turtle MMA Podcast (live from the UFC Athlete Retreat) he explained what came out of the break.

"It gave my ass enough time, perfect time to get my shit together," Bamgbose said. "And I mean that in just filling the gaps and holes in my game. I had a few of them presented to me by opponents that I fought in the UFC." 

When pressed on what those issues were, Bamgbose was open and candid.

"Making my ground game as comfortable as my standup [was a necessity]," he said. "Not only that, but blending everything to a mixed martial arts style, finding my niche, finding out what it is that makes me comfortable and flowing in that cage." 

As a result, it was easy for him to feel that it wasn't really "time off," as some refer to it.

"For me it wasn't really off time," he said. "...For me, while I was banged up, while I was somewhat sad about not being able to fight, I took it upon myself to get up, go to the gym, focus on weaknesses, master my strengths and overall become a better version of myself." 

Perhaps the most exciting part of that is the reveal of that better version of himself. In addition to seeing a whole new side to Bamgbose's game, he also said this evolution comes with a new alter ego.

"There's a new alter ego alongside of 'The Holy War Angel' and his name is 'The Lion Gorilla,'" Bamgbose said. "That is my alter ego on the ground." 

But when asked about his game plan for the tough striker Paulo Borrachinha at June 3's UFC 212 event, Bamgbose assured fans that both work perfectly together.

"When you fight me on the ground, when we scuffle, you're facing 'The Lion Gorilla,' and when I stand up, you're getting 'The Holy War Angel,'" he said. "And I can't wait to show them both June 3rd and every fight after." 

To hear the whole interview, including Bamgbose's take on meeting Kobe Bryant, his future plans for Uriah Hall and the state of African MMA, listen below (starts at 13:00).