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Banned
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: WestCoast
Posts: 171
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Kongo's New Interview
BloodyKnux.Com exclusive interview:
1 on 1 with the "French Sensation"
Cheick Kongo
Cheick Kongo was born with the martial arts in his blood. Indeed, he’s been evolving in a world ruled by the combat arts since he was just under 5years old. He had followed his brother’s path by learning all the secrets of Kendo and Karate with legendary French master Marc Angevin. This first experience with combat would prove important to Cheick, it channeled his positive energy and increased his fighting spirit. Young Cheick would continue to grow and evolve in the combat arts, studying Greco-Roman wrestling, the French style of Free-Fight, Kickboxing and of course – Muay Thai.
We would amass a Free Fight record of 32-3 with 29 KO’s and a Muay Thai record of 18-1 with his 18 wins coming in by KO as well. He would earn numerous titles in these sports and world championship as well before making the jump – as so many others do – to professional Mixed Martial Arts.
Staying true to himself and humble at heart, he would go on a tear in the European circuits before making his eye-popping debut to North American audiences in the UFC. How does the Paris, France native think he stacks in the suddenly talent-deep UFC Heavyweight division? Can he live up to the hype that’s buzzing around him? BloodyKnux.Com's Joe Tuey recently caught up with the French Sensation to talk about these subjects and more….
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BK: First off, Cheick, thank you very much for your time. we love to hear from exciting fighters like you that'll be part of the future of the sport we all love.
To start with, can you tell us some background information on yourself, such as your hobbies and interests outside of MMA?
Cheick "The French Sensation" Kongo: Nothing special. Take care of my family B& friends, manage my business.
BK: You've trained in various martial arts since the age of 5. Can you give us a rough list of all of the disciplines you have learned & how long you've been training them?
CK: I started by Greco Roman wrestling, [then other] martial arts such as kendo, karate, boxing, full contact martial arts , self-defense classes, pro-wrestling & thai-boxing.
BK: What got you interested in MMA and who are the fighters that you like to watch the most?
CK: What got me interest in MMA is that I can use all the things I learned when I started doing martial arts. I like and respect all fighters, I wish them all the best because you need two fighters to make a fight. I like some of the older fighters such as Bas Rutten & Marco Ruas. It's so exciting to see their fights, so big respect to them. I like other guys such as Chuck Liddell, Kid Yamamoto, Mach Sakurai, Sakuraba, Randy Couture & Babalu. They've all had great careers. Big respect to all. I'm all about respect.
BK: Let's talk about your training a little bit, is there anything you have specifically been training in order to defeat Assuerio Silva on the upcoming UFC 70 card that you can share with us?
CK: Nothing special, I train hard each day with big sacrifices. I don't complain, I’m single. (laughs) So I can focus on training.
BK: Are you excited to be fighting in the UK for UFC 70, since the UFC has not visited the UK in quite some time? Will you have a contingent making the trip to Manchester for the bout?
CK: Not excited more than any other fight. I think it's cool, sure. As for the rest… that's a surprise!
BK: What does a typical week consist of in regards to your training and what does it take, in your opinion, to be successful in an organization like the UFC?
CK: You to stay a simple man and be humble. Try to be one of the best fighters you can be.
BK: I recall a slight war of words from you and Frank Mir around UFC 62, is he still someone you are wanting to fight? If not Frank, who?
CK: I don’t care, I prefer a win instead of a loss. I follow the way. I see the light! (laughs)
BK: Do you blame Carmelo Marrero for using a very passive strategy to beat you?
CK: It was just his night, but it doesn't bother me too much.
BK: Do you feel that it's your own fault that a passive wrestler was successful against you or do you feel that there is something wrong with the unified American rules?
CK: I’ll adapt. I want to change. I'll make a difference.
BK: In a division loading up with big-time strikers, how do you feel you rate compared with guys like Mirko Crocop?
CK: I would like so much to fight Mirko and see the answer to that myself! (laughs)
BK: That would be a great fight, for sure! What are your goals in your professional career at this point and what are your plans for after you retire from active fighting?
CK: I want the UFC’s belt like everybody eles, I’m not a victim cause I work hard for this. I wish myself the best. I want to meet my true love, keep my face in one piece and my body too! I want good health & to make my busines thrive.
BK: How do you rate your first UFC experience?
CK: It was unbelievable! A dream or nightmare, maybe. I don’t know. Before the fight it was hell, after it was heaven.
BK: When you defeated Christian Wellisch at UFC 62 you had a passionate post-fight celebration, where you knelt in 4 different directions and put your hand over your heart then pointed towards the heavens, was that something you do after every victory and what was going through your mind during that time or after every win?
CK: when I knelt in 4 directions, it was to show my deep respect to the public in vegas & the fans worldwilde. My hand over my heart is my trademark. I dedicate my fights to the memories of my brother, niece, one of my best friends & some people who suffered with me, who support me, who love me.
They give me this damn strength called “spirit”.
BK: They must give youu a lot, because you're full of spirit that's for sure.
What is it like working for an organization like the UFC and how many more fights are left on your contract for them?
CK: I should be there about 3 years or more.
BK: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us that hasn't been mentioned yet, anyone you would like to thank or any message for the fans you want to share with us now before we go?
CK: I would like to thanks God for making me who I am, to my big bro Serge, t my boss, Bayley & her family to give me happiness in looking after their daughter (I miss you,cuty girl!). To Remy Bonnell & his wife, South Florida Boxing, GRACIEteam, the ATT, Flavio Santiago, FST, FIMEU GYM, Éric Lavigne, USMT, and of course the most important - my big FAMILY, MY WOLRDWIDE FRIENDS THAT I LOVE!
For my fans & supporters thank you so much for believing in me, you fight to protect me against the detractors, and ill-speakers. Don’t worry, I’ll give you satisfaction for sure. Cause you give me pleasure & power. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Thanks to STRANGE, COMPAGNIE DE CALIFORNIE, TAPOUT & UNDER ARMOUR.
BK: Thanks for taking the time to chat with us here at BloodyKnux.Com and share your experiences. We all wish you the best of luck in your upcoming fight with Assuerio Silva at UFC 70.
- Joe "Dragomort" Tuey
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