"I Would Rather Fight For Free, Then To Bend Down To Them (ZUFFA)" - Joachim Hansen

Genghis Con · 03:46 PM

Quote:

'HELLBOY' LIBERATED

Hansen to Zuffa: ‘Soul not for sale’

By Stash Capar (stash@thefightnetwork.com)

LONDON – PRIDE veteran Joachim “Hellboy” Hansen appeared content backstage at Cage Rage 24 “Feel the Pain” on Saturday at Wembley Arena. After a painful and stressful year, he is finally a free man.

Zuffa LLC, parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, officially released Hansen (15-6-1) from his contract last month, a contract it inherited with its purchase of PRIDE Fighting Championships on March 27. The Norwegian lightweight did not mince words when it came to discussing the Las Vegas-based promotion.

“I just hope people understand that the problems [with Zuffa] weren’t about the money,” Hansen said. “It was about them treating me with honor and keeping their word. I would rather fight for free, then to bend down to them. My soul is not for sale.”

Hansen now fights for Shooto, a Japanese organization known for producing some of the world’s best lightweights. Despite losing his first fight to Eiji Mitsuoka (12-5-2), the 28-year-old remains confident his career has taken a turn for the better now that he has regained control over it.

“My first fight in Shooto didn’t go so well, but there’ve been a lot of changes and problems,” said Hansen, who owns victories over two-time K-1 HERO’S tournament champion Gesias "JZ" Calvancante and PRIDE lightweight king Takanori Gomi. “Anyways, now I’m a free man, and everything will be as it was.”

A former Shooto champion, Hansen recently expanded his training camp to include Huntingdon’s Tsunami Gym, where he trains alongside Cage Rage British featherweight titleholder Robbie Olivier.

He has appeared twice at recent Cage Rage events, which has led to speculation regarding his future within the London-based promotion. When asked whether or not he could see himself competing for the Pro Elite-owned Cage Rage, Hansen answered with a smile and one word – “maybe.”

http://thefightnetwork.com/news_detail.php?nid=5562

War Joachim!

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