Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2005 1:36 am
Posts: 2655
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Yeah I really want to like Cameron but his face seems like... 90% scar tissue. I don't think he's really, truly world class from what I've seen, but I admire his heart. I came across this very recent interview with Mark Hunt yesterday, btw. It's an interesting read if you're a fan. Which I am. So here it is. Quote:
Q. Hello Mark and thanks for talking with http://www.roguemag.com and how has training been so far?
A. No worries, It’s been good and I need a bit more time to sort my self out and I will be fully ready- but yeah it’s going ok, just in Auckland to see family and relax a bit before it’s back to business.
Q. So how was the Semmy Schilt fight, and did things go as planned and were you happy with it all?
A. No I wasn’t and frankly it was real bad. It felt like i got set up. I didn’t want to fight K1 and stand up because I hadn’t done it for ages. My preparation was very short and when I got kicked in the leg, which I hadn’t been for so long- it was getting hit by a baseball bat… Not that I am trying to make an excuse but It’s hard to not fight K1 for so long and jump in the ring with K1’s best, just like that. I am pissed off about the loss…
Interruption: So you didn’t do the gym work…
A. No I did my general conditioning stuff and all the cardio, I felt good there but taking shots like that, I wasn’t use to and too much all of a sudden. The body wasn’t use to the bashing. Plus Semmy has feet like flippers! I needed more time and the only reason I took the fight is because K1 wanted their ratings up and secure a new TV deal plus it was a requirement for my MMA deal with DREAM. So yeah…
Interruption: So the body wasn’t used to taking the trauma and that sort of conditioning…
A. Yeah man that’s it. I hadn’t taken anything like that for a long while. I got set up and lost. Can’t cry now… on with it I guess…
Q. So tell us about the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) deal with DREAM?
A. Now that the K1 thing is out of the way it’s all good baby: all MMA and MMA only. These guys (DREAM) want me to fight Aleksander (Emelianeko) in about three weeks time on May 11th! I was like no way because it’s too short a time with no training. I don’t want risk fighting like that. But if they compensate me enough for taking that risk then it’s all good and I’ll fight. The money has to be right. DREAM plan was to see how Fedor (Emelianeko) goes and when and if he wins the DREAM title, and then I will fight him.
Q. So re-match Fedor is a done deal?
A. Yeah, from what they tell me it’s a done deal and we have to wait and see how he goes and then I will know when and where for how much. I want to fight Fedor and I want to beat him.
Q. You think you can beat Fedor and if so how you going to do it?
A. Yeah I can beat him and I know I will beat him. He’s pretty good but everyone is beatable. I need to get some solid work in and have planned for that. First time I fought him my wrestling wasn’t great- actually it pretty sh*t but I did alright with him. This time I will be ready, when it happens I will beat him.
Q. How and which way you reckon?
A. To be honest it won’t matter and how I am not sure, probably hurt him enough so I win. He’s a great fighter but I know I can beat him…
Q. What about Mirko Cro-cop? He is the marquee signing for DREAM isn’t he?
A. Mirko- he’s a good kicker and great fighter but he ain’t got nothing on me: tell you something Boa, you remember Gonzaga who KO’d him with a high kick? I met him in Vegas and he was a cool guy. He asked me “how can I beat Cro-cop?”- I told him don’t stress and try to scare him almost, follow him and put the pressure on him not letting him settle. See what happened, Gonzaga wasted him. If I fight Cro-cop it will be the same. I want to do the same and I’ll force the pace with him, push forward and beat him. He is very good if you let him settle down to his game- don’t.
Q. Any other “names” you could be fighting?
A. Probably fight Semmy Schilt again but in MMA. I want that fight and I know I can do way better and win. It will probably be in Japan and should be a good fight for a decent pay day. Few more fighters could be added, who knows someone special could fall out of the sky and then I can fight whoever. I don’t care whoever it is, I’ll fight King Kong if I have to, always try to fight the best- fight the champion and be the champion. That is my goal. Try and achieve it soon.
Q. How about you in the UFC? What’s the likelihood of that happening?
A. I don’t know, not sure about that or them… they wasted my time after the whole Pride buy out promising everything under the sun and when that turned to crap, I waited for all that time and my contract came to nothing. However if the dollars are right then it’s fight time…
Q. What do you mean by waiting for all that time after the Pride take over?
A. Once Pride was bought over, as someone on the Pride team I was promised all these fights and etc. which never happened. So it wasted a good chunk of my career and I was inactive. I could have done so much and fought good in that time. They owe me for that, I should have and could have very easily fought the top guys but that little episode didn’t allow me to. I am a man of my word and I was messed around. See I said I will meet you for an interview and I did, even when I was real busy with family stuff. So UFC should have kept good on their word- It’s a real shame but that’s the fight game.
Q. So you are more than likely to do something about it and add another “headache” to their already growing headaches?
A. I don’t know: nah- I haven’t even thought of that, right now it’s fighting. It’s a case of working these big boys and billionaires to look at whatever. I got mucked around and my career could have been much better off if not for that. It also put an end to the Pride Oceania patch for which I was hoping to acquire rights and conduct shows. It was something I wanted to do so other people who want to get a chance like I did, would be found and be given a chance to fight. That was the end of that. So yeah I should look at doing something about it, but worry about that later I guess. I will let you know first… He He He….
Q. What are your present contractual obligations and what will see from Mark Hunt, action wise?
A. My manager Mike (Cornette) is good and my contract allows me to fight anywhere in America, It is not exclusive to Japan. So it doesn’t have to be UFC: there is more to America than them. I mean they are good and my mate Brad Morris fought last week on their card. There are other shows which are possibilities. Remember Boa when you asked me about Kimbo (Slice) last time, he’s alright and a fight with him will mean big bucks. I am open to that and I will beat him if I have to. Kimbo and my self on the right card will generate lots of interest. He has a good street style and I know a thing or two about that style. So it will be a good fight and cost quite a bit too. It’s all good entertainment …
Q. You think you would knock him out?
A. I don’t know; have to fight him to find out. I would like to and I probably should. Don’t know so I guess we will have to find out when we fight. He’s a good fighter from what I have seen and he’s only started in MMA- so way to early make any kind of predictions if you know what I mean. I saw the cartoon fight where he hit me with a baseball bat and I knock him out, that’s all funny but if the fight does happen I will want to finish him and win well. So if you can make it happen and the money is right, why not?
Q. So any shows in America, open to negotiation?
A. Absolutely bro, I mean if the dollars are right I will fight. It doesn’t have to be UFC. I think one reason they didn’t want me is because I am too fat. Once upon a time they offered me ***,***$ to fight on a show when I was getting way more on Pride. So it was not enough, well that’s what my manger said. I was in good form but maybe the weight issue stopped them and of course the money. America is a good option and I will beat whoever I have to.
Q. How long do you think you will fight for?
A. As least as possible. I know what I want and when I fight I will do what I have to. Probably have a good couple of seasons with DREAM and win the titles and then see how it goes, but like I said as least as possible. I want to spend time with family and all that.
Q. Will we see the “Atomic Butt Drop” in action?
A. What? Oh yeah well you know what I will do whatever it takes and what I want. I will splash someone if I have to. It’s easy and effective. Yeah you will.
Q. Lots of fans worldwide want to know of your training methods and in particular why you don’t get lean- is there any reason as such?
A. I have actually made training more intense and suited for MMA, because it so much harder than just K1 or stand up- I guess the main reason is I don’t take steroids (He He He), nah just that I am a big islander I guess and the way I am. My body can handle the punishment and I can give it back so it doesn’t matter.
Interruption: Is it the diet….maybe something different you can do?
A. Yeah I eat KFC, nah just kidding. My diet has changed and I keep it straight and clean. I guess this regime I am doing will make me a lot leaner but let’s see- like I said I am a big islander, what can I say…anything different I have done, um- well coloured my toes so I don’t have smelly feet when I am constantly training or rolling with people at training for MMA.
Q. It’s been a while since you have fought MMA, many critics argue that you are not the fighter you used to be and there could be some ring rust. What are your thoughts on that?
A. I always look at staying sharp and train for MMA with lot of strikes and throws. Just getting caught up in one style isn’t good. Fedor is the classic example. He is well rounded and good in every aspect. I feel my best when I am training for big strikes and a good striking game. It feels better and easier to adapt to. Also these last few months I have been working on lot of submissions and I am confident with that part of my game. So I think if I best someone up with enough strikes I can sink in a good submission and that’s very possible. Things change over time Boa and I have accepted that and prepared for it. When I fight everyone will see. Last time I fought who most say is the best in the game I didn’t do that great. When I fight again I know I can do a hell of a lot better and I will!
Q. Last K-1 Ray (Sefo) lost to Badir Hari, what are your thoughts on Ray as most critics think he should retire?
A. Ray’s a great fighter and so is Badir. He is the new master class. Real good and fast, you know what Boa I think he (Hari) is the only guy who can beat Schilt at present in K1. If I get Semmy in MMA I will beat up real bad. Hari is great and he has the goods. Maybe K1 should set that fight up, but with Ray I think it’s up to him and he will do what is right I guess. Apart from that I can’t tell what will happen- his call end of the day. Look at me; I have lost my last three fights, so should I retire? So it’s up to the individual and that’s the fight game, ups and downs.
Q. So do you rate Hari?
A. He’s a great fighter and he probably needs to put on a bit more muscle to really dominate in the future. I met him a few times and he is one nice guy, real good guy…
Interruption: Maybe he was scared of you or something…Is he the whack job some people make him out to be?
A. I don’t think so, he aint scared. He’s a nice guy and he has a bright future in K1. People like his style and he is good to watch. Hari aint no whack job, he’s young and watch out for him to be the guy to beat Semmy one day. Sooner than later!
Q. Any more getting into K1 or stand up action?
A. To be honest my ball game is MMA- that’s what I can do best. I don’t want to do K1, just that last fight which was a pain in the butt, but I had to do it. Now that it’s over that’s the last of that. Unless the money is right I won’t. Just last week I was talking with Mo (Mighty) and talking things. The boys like to keep tabs and watch out for each other. The money in K1 isn’t good and that’s a result of the TV deals and ratings. MMA is far better and I like it. That’s me bro, I have won the K1 ones before and that’s a hard road to walk. MMA is harder and the money is better.
Q. Alexei Ignashov- what do you think of him and his chances are against Semmy, as he is in Auckland, training under Lollo Heimuli?
A. Ignashov was good, haven’t seen him for a while. I hear he’s put on weight. Hope he does well, because against Semmy he better be good. Else like me after checking his low kick twice the leg won’t be able to handle it. I don’t know: he hasn’t fought for a while so when he does we will find out.
Q. Do you get mobbed in Japan like Ray does?
A. Nah, I am not like that. Ray is a movie star and where he goes the people follow. I don’t like that, just want to be like anyone else. That’s the good thing about New Zealand. We are sitting here and no one knows. So it’s all good- quite prefer it like that.
Q. ROGUE coined you on the term “Soldier of Fortune”- you took some flack on internet forums for that, your thoughts?
A. Yeah I get that a bit. That’s the way it is and honestly not too many people in this game do it for love. I am honest and up front about it. It’s the way it is. Fighting professionally is good and always, I think of the money and do it. It’s something you could get hurt doing so you need to be compensated for it. Look at how promoters and big companies like K1 make money off fighters and give the fans entertainment. So it’s the way it is and yeah I am a mercenary as you called it, “Soldier of Fortune”: you hit that sh*t on the money baby, love your wok!
Q. Thanks! Just finally do you read much of http://www.roguemag.com?
A. Yeah always man, when I hit the net: some good stuff and what you write is the truth and fact, so it’s all good: ROGUE is No.1 baby! I like the style too, it’s cool stuff. Thanks for the interview, always a pleasure. Plus those Hoodies you made and designed were the best, love them- awesome stuff!
Editor’s note: You can catch excerpts of this exclusive (Monday 28th May) on Maori Television at 7.30 PM on Te Kae (News) for local/NZ viewers. FEDOR vs HUNTO, II ~! How awesome would it be if a Kiwi stopped Fedor. So good.
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