SENGOKU VI Post-fight Interviews

[mdhan]

www.mfight.co.kr

TAKANORI GOMI

http://www.mfight.co.kr/serial_img/serial2/2008-11-02_gomi.jpg

Q: What are your thoughts on the decision?
A: I don't think I can complain about it because I was definitely rocked. I didn't get knocked down but I don't think it was that surprising. I don't even remember that well how the fight went on.

Q: You had a lot of chances in the first and third rounds.
A: I took him down in the first and third rounds, but it wasn't enough. The fight would have been even if I had gotten another takedown or two.

Q: Your next fight was originally scheduled to be on January 4.
A: Today's opponent was hard to deal with stylistically, that's it. It wouldn't have meant much even if I had won. The fight on January 4 is for the belt. I'm going to have to work hard because I feel like the challenger (laughs.) Today's fight was a good lesson.

Q: What are your thoughts on how the tournament unfolded.
A: I kept my motivation high watching the tournament. Mizuto Hirota fought hard, but Kazunori Yokota was tough. Their fight was totally unpredictable. Satoru Kitaoka, who's the toughest matchup for me, won the tournament. I'll be fighting Kitaoka on January 4.

Q: Why is he a tough matchup?
A: It's because he's always looking for the submission.

Q: How would you rate Kitaoka's takedown skills?
A: I won't know until I face him. I have two months. Anyway, Kitaoka is a tough opponent. And I'm going to fight my next match with caution because Kitaoka will change his strategy too.

Q: Do you want to have a rematch against Golyaev if you win the belt in January?
A: I don't want to look past my next fight, but if I do win I will fight him. I think he deserves a shot at the title. If I become champ, I'll fight in top shape.

Q: It looked like you hurt your right knee in the second round. Did you sustain any injury?
A: It twisted a little awkwardly but it's OK. The doctors told me it was OK too. It was the first time I was hurt by a punch (laughs.) I'll work harder.

[mdhan]

SATORU KITAOKA

http://www.mfight.co.kr/serial_img/serial2/2008-11-02_kita2.jpg

Q: What's your impression of your fight against Eiji Mitsuoka?
A: It was great. I tried to take him down but he defended well. He even tried to mount some offense while defending my takedown, and looked relaxed. He was on the bottom, but he seemed confident. Mitsuoka is a great fighter. If I fight him 10 times, I think I'd be able to beat him maybe 2 or 3 times. That's how good he is.

Q: Did you feel confident coming in to the finals?
A: My coach told me that Kazunori Yokota would be a tough opponent. But I pushed the pace and stayed aggressive for three rounds, so I'm satisfied with my performance.

Q: The ropes played a big part in the fight. What do you think about this?
A: I just had to do what the referee told me to. Yokota is a very crafty fighter.

Q: Have you watched Takanori Gomi's fight?
A: I couldn't watch it closely.

Q: It looks like you're icing your body. Did you suffer any injuries?
A: I was hurt by a body shot. But I was able to clearly see the shot coming. I think my ability to gauge distance and my strikes are slowly improving. I'd like to thank my coaches for that.

Q: How does it feel to become the organization's first champion?
A: I'm happy. But I want a belt than a medal.

Q: You haven't had much luck in the big stage.
A: I haven't. But I kept working hard, and proved myself today.

Q: You almost knocked your opponent down with a punch right before the end of the fight.
A: I think it hurt him. But I didn't train to capitalize on such situations and follow up with more strikes. I think winning by KO and winning by a submission are similar.

Q: It didn't look like you got hit that much.
A: Actually, I did get hit a bit. I ate some shots in the first round.

Q: You'll be carrying Sengoku on your shoulders next year.
A: I think today's win has allowed me to represent Sengoku. But I won't be "leading" it. I'll be moving forward with it.

Q: You had an emotional press conference yesterday.
A: I realized how so many people had helped me prepare for my fights. Not only my coaches, but my team and friends and so on. I was born to fight in MMA.

Q: Do you think you should fight Golyaev, who beat Gomi, next?
A: I'm not thinking about my next fight too much. But I can beat him easily.

Q: Do you consider yourself the ace of Sengoku?
A: I don't care too much about being an ace. But I'll be on TV a lot more from now on (laughs.)

[mdhan]

JORGE SANTIAGO

http://www.mfight.co.kr/serial_img/serial2/2008-11-02_santiago.jpg

Q: You're now a step closer to the belt.
A: I've been wanting to fight Misaki so much. I don't know why I have be the challenger. I'd fight him tonight if I could.

Q: You just participated in a tournament. Can you still fight?
A: I can still fight for another couple of hours. I have enough stamina. Tournament winners usually do .

Q: What's your impression of Nakamura?
A: The fight went as I had expected. I was looking for opportunities while throwing punches. I could see from his face that he was tired.

[mdhan]

SEUNG-HWAN BANG

http://www.mfight.co.kr/serial_img/serial2/2008-11-02-bangsh.jpg

Q: Your thoughts on the fight?
A: I felt I needed to change my style to get to the next level. I want to start over with a fresh mind.

Q: What was your strategy?
A: I went in with the intention of really engaging in a standup battle but my opponent was very good at avoiding my punches so I couldn't even get much opportunities for counter punches. I felt the need for an upgrade in my offensive style.

[Lord Gaul]

Gomi talks as if he didn't see his own fight. There is no way in the world he lost the first or third. No way. He was rocked in the second, but he rocked Golyaev back in the third and had him backing up for the second half of the round.