"I just gave like 40% and it was good enough to win the fightÂ…I'm ready for any opportunity. It could be striking; it could be on the ground. I'm comfortable anywhere. I'm really excited to fight againÂ…Right now, it's 3 fights. That's the deal. I've won the first one and I have two fights to go. Everyone thinks that fighting is so cool. When you're on top, people love you and when you lose, it's not so good. I just try to do my best. If people like it, that's good, but I'm happy either way," stated Bellator heavyweight contender Cheick Kongo, who talked about his impressive 2nd round TKO of Mark Godbeer in his recent debut with the organization. After turning pro in 2001, Kongo's had a storied and successful career with the UFC since 2006, going 11-6-1 during that span. After his last fight with the company (a knockout loss to Roy Nelson at UFC 159), Kongo chose not to renew his UFC contract and instead signed with Bellator. At 38 years old and having won 9 titles, including a World Muay Thai Championship as well as compiling a 29-8-1 record in MMA, he is still one of the baddest heavyweights on the planet and is still on a quest to win another championship. I had an opportunity to speak with him not long after his victory and he had an awful lot to say.
SWD: Congratulations on the knockout victory and successful debut in Bellator.
CK: Thank you very much.
SWD: After ending your UFC career with a loss, how did it feel to make your Bellator debut with a dominant win?
CK: I didn't' expect it. I went in to win, but with the world of fighting, I didn't expect to win that way. It was about a strategy; try to find the best way to win for myself and not allow my opponent to capitalize.
SWD: Did you feel extra pressure with the fan following you have and your resume that this first fight had to be a big win and a knockout?
CK: Honestly, I didn't really pay attention. I just wanted to win and there are people who just want to see you win. You never know what's going on though. You don't know what's going to happen, so you can't call for the knockout. I just wanted to push my opponent and keep pressure on him. I wanted to win for sure, but I can't predict a knockout.
SWD: When you first came out, I was a bit surprised as for a moment, you seemed a bit tentative in exchanging strikes. I was more surprised when you went immediately for the takedown and kept him pinned against the cage for most of the fight. Although we've certainly seen you use the Muay Thai clinch in the past, I can't remember you being as aggressive with takedowns. Even against Matt Mitrione, you used your jab first and then the takedowns. Was that a strategy, and if so, why?
CK: You know what? I was very confident in my striking, but I wanted him to be surprised. I have to make it the best fight for me. I can't go crazy and get in trouble. I have to be safe because this is a tournament. I just gave like 40% and it was good enough to win the fight.
SWD: What? You just gave how much? 40%? So you feel like you weren't going all out that night?
CK: Yeah!
SWD: (Laughing) That's really scary, you know that?
CK: You know, I don't want to be arrogant, but I had a short time to get prepared. I have to be ready to fight again soon, so I need to get better prepared for my next fight and make sure I'm healthy.
SWD: It looked like Goodbeer hit you with a solid right hand in the first round that hurt you for a moment. Was that the case and did you ever feel like you were in any danger from his striking?
CK: No, not really. When you're a good striker, you can tell what's going on. You know how to adjust and move.
SWD: In the second round, it was more of the same, but your knees to the outside of his quadriceps seemed to really change the fight and took away his explosiveness. Would you agree and did you feel that they were doing that kind of damage?
CK: When I got the side control, I was comfortable. When I landed the knees, of course I knew I was doing damage, but I knew I needed to keep going. I knew he didn't like this kind of striking. This is the kind of striking we used to do in France and I don't think he was used to it.
SWD: Your corner was telling you to use the knees, right?
CK: Yeah. The thing with my corner is they said to throw the knees no matter what; use the clinch to attack his head.
SWD: What's the feeling like when you knock someone out?
CK: (Laughing) The feeling is really good.
SWD: WBC Muay Thai Champion Gregory Choplin is a good friend of yours and he spoke to you before the fight about using your knees, so you know he's taking credit for coaching you to victory, right?
CK: Yeah. Oh, for sure, but seriously, for so many years as a Thai Boxer, I used my knees and he was talking to me about how good I am at that and to bring it back.
SWD: A few years ago, I remember watching you against Cain Velazquez and when he took you down, you seemed very uncomfortable on the ground. Now fast forward and you're taking guys down as part of your strategy. How far has your ground game come since then?
CK: You know, for the last 3-4 years, I'm healthy. I have no injuries, so I can improve. That's the key. The best thing is when you can be healthy, then you're going to get better and I've been able to focus on that. When I fought Cain, I wasn't healthy. There was pressure to take the fight and I was told if you win that fight, then you'll fight for the title, so I took it the opportunity. I can't compare right now to the past though. For sure if I fight Cain again in my top shape, everything will be different.
SWD: Greg told me that even when you spar lightly, your punches and kicks hurt. Cain said something to the effect that your one-two punch was the hardest he's ever felt. Which Cheick Kongo will we see against Vinicius "Spartan" Queiroz for your next fight? Do we see the striker, the takedown guy, or do you just adjust as the fight goes?
CK: I'm ready for any opportunity. It could be striking; it could be on the ground. I'm comfortable anywhere. I'm really excited to fight again. Some people thought that I wasn't' that happy that night. I'm always happy. The sun is shining and I'm happy.
SWD: You're two fights away from being the Bellator Heavyweight champion. After training martial arts since you were 5 years old and fighting professionally in MMA for 12-years, what's the feeling like and how important is the quest for the title still?
CK: All I can say is when I've fought for the belt before, for me, it was just a regular fight. Right now, it's 3 fights. That's the deal. I've won the first one and I have two fights to go. Everyone thinks that fighting is so cool. When you're on top, people love you and when you lose, it's not so good. I just try to do my best. If people like it, that's good, but I'm happy either way. I've got sunshine.
SWD: Your physique is as impressive as ever. You're weight seems like it's always right at 235. What's your strength and conditioning routine now at 38 years old and how do you maintain the same level of physical strength?
CK: (Laughing) You make me laugh. Honestly, it's a gift from God. It's a gift from God and my mother and father. I used to train like a crazy beast, lifting weights and doing cardio. Now I'm more focused on conditioning, like crossfit. I love the guys I train with. I love the training at Horsepower crossfit and also I have great coaches and teammates at Wolfslair.
SWD: Why do you still keep fighting? Is it a quest for a title or the joy of fighting?
CK: Some people say it is the joy of fighting, but I work hard for what I deserve and that's what I'll always do. More than that, I hear people say, "I love fighting." You love fighting? Do you love getting punched in the face, losing your teeth, and having a black eye? I do love the competition, but after the fight, sometimes you say, "What the fuck?" And then you have to recover. At some point, I may say I'm too old for that. At the end, you're not a movie star. You can get fucked up. But if you're pretty good, you win, and you bring some charisma, then people will follow you. If you're not that good, then you just end up messed up. Guys like Michael Jordon, Mike Tyson, Tiger Woods, they change the sport and people remember them, so it's worth the sacrifice. Hopefully I'll be one of those guys.
SWD: Is there anything else that you would like to share with our FightHype readers?
CK: I would like to share with my fans, if you saw my walkout shirt, that's my program. Drop 10. It's how to drop 10 pounds in a month and get in shape. Go to www.bamboonutra.com/drop10 and you'll see the whole thing and it's got really great music. So if you want to look like me, guys, go to drop 10 and follow the program.
SWD: Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us today. Much power and success to you in your quest for a championship Cheick.
CK: Thanks you Stuart. Very much.