Cheick Kongo – “I Want the UFC Heavyweight Title”
By Dave Carpinello
PDG: Since your victory over Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic at UFC 75, what have you been doing?
Kongo: I went back to France. I trained early every morning and late every evening and worked at my full-time job.
PDG: Did you suffer any injuries in the fight with Mirko Cro Cop?
Kongo: I sustained injuries on both shoulders before the start of my preparation & during the fight. It wasn’t easy for me but I did it and I earned a majority decision victory.
PDG: Some Cro Cop fans have said that you used low blows during the fight. What is your view on how the fight went?
Kongo: I don’t care what Cro Cop fans said about me. I was wounded but I still made a nice fight. I’m not the son of a coward, all my knees shots were correct. I have a lot of respect for him as he is one of the best strikers in the world. Cro Cop is “Cro Cop”, but I’m the man who wants the UFC belt. I won this fight honestly, what else can I say? Nothing more.
PDG: What is your current training schedule? When will you start full-time for your fight in March?
Kongo: All you got to know is that I train to win, no time to play. I do running, sprints-boxing and wrestling every day, even when I have no scheduled fight. My Preparation is hard, as usual. I improve my skills and train on my techniques in each discipline with my coach Juanito Ibarra. My French and US partners help me to push my personal limits.
PDG: Who are your currently training with?
Kongo: My current partners come from Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s camp and from my French Team.
PDG: Three fighters: Tim Sylvia, Andrei Arlovski, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. Which fighter would you like to fight next and why?
Kongo: When you want to be the next world champion, you got to be able to fight and beat anyone in your weight division. I take them all seriously, whatever, they are all on my way.
PDG: Your last three fights went the distance and ended in decision. Are you working on more techniques to try to finish fights before it goes into the judges hands?
Kongo: No matter what happened during the fight, the essence is to win and to be clean and professional. This is my way for the title.
PDG: Only three losses on your resume. Is there one that you want to avenge if possible?
Kongo: No. You know, I don’t need to prove anything. All I want is to continue at a high level of performance.
PDG: What was your reaction to Randy Couture Leaving the UFC?
Kongo: I was surprised and furious because now I can’t get a fight against him! He is the best, for sure, a great big man.
PDG: Anything else that you would like to tell your fans about?
Kongo: I would like to thank all my fans out there who have supported me from day one! For all your love and support. I can’t imagine better fans, thank you so much. All my best wishes for 2008. I would also like to thank my coach and training partners, my family & buddies too. I also want to thank Reed Wallace and White Chocolate Management for bringing me to the UFC, Rampage and Juanito. If you want to find out more about me, just check out www.myspace.com/cheickkongo.
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