"It feels great to be champion! I proved the doubters wrong, It’s a great feeling. John, that week, I visualized that I was going to be in my bed with the Glory belt. I visualized it and I did it...I’m going to be that same Predator. I have that same mentality and I’m going to be chasing them as long as I’m here," stated Glory welterweight champion Murthel Groenhart, who talked about his future plans and much more. Check it out!
JR: Among the kickboxing world, there were previous talks about you always being the guy that got close to getting the belt, but not actually becoming the champion. Clearly you have proved doubters wrong. How does it feel to be the Glory welterweight champion?
MG: It feels great to be champion! I proved the doubters wrong, It’s a great feeling. John, that week, I visualized that I was going to be in my bed with the Glory belt. I visualized it and I did it.
JR: Can you describe what the reception was like for you back home after you became Champion?
MG: That feeling for me was indescribable. There was a lot of my family, fans, and media waiting for me at the airport. It was a lot of love and really hard to really describe the great feeling.
JR: Being that you are the champion now, you also know that you have a target on your head. With your nickname of the “Predator”, I thought that this stood out because there is nothing to hunt now. What changes?
MG: Nothing! I’m going to be that same Predator. I have that same mentality and I’m going to be chasing them as long as I’m here.
JR: You are defending your new belt against Harut Grigorian at Glory 50. You beat him years ago in K1 Max and also last year, you beat him with a lot of controversy being surrounded by that fight. With this 3rd fight approaching Feb. 16th, I know you are looking to erase any doubt or controversy.
MG: Most definitely, John, most definitely. I’m telling you that the man is in trouble!
JR: There has had to be some things that you changed up training-wise. With this training camp, I know Mike Passenier has been on top of you. What do you plan to showcase in this upcoming fight with Harut?
MG: The camp has been good. I’m close to weight and it’s been easy work. Against Harut Grigorian, you can expect a knockout. Like the first 2 times, you can expect a knockout from me. I got a lot of respect for Grigorian. He is a good fighter and competitor, but the man is in trouble because it’s the first time I’m defending the belt and I’m not going to give it away.
JR: Does it mean it a little bit more to you that you are going to get the opportunity to erase any controversy on your first title defense and put it away for good?
MG: It’s more of feeling that I just have to defend my title for the first time. I’m more thrilled to defend the belt for the first time than anything.
JR: Professional Kickboxing is different from boxing or mma in the way where you may have to fight an opponent 2-3 more times again over the course of time, even if you have beaten them. Do you ever get tired of that?
MG: No, it doesn’t bother me at all. It just comes with the business. A lot of times, like myself, you could have a good day or you can have a bad day. Sometimes I’m number 2 and on my good days, I’m number 1. Like when I had/have to fight Nieky Holzken, it's good and bad days that come with the business. With Harut, he’s coming forward and always coming forward, which leaves him open. I think it’ll be just a matter of time of when he’s going down.
JR: A lot of times, when fighters earn a belt in an organization, they really are not prepared to be the face of that same organization. Some fighters would rather just fight, get paid, and stay lowkey. Being that you are champion now, is this something that you are prepared to take on?
MG: Yes, definitely, I’m prepared to take on that task. I carry myself as a professional and understand that it comes with the territory.
JR: It’s pretty late there and I know you had a long training day, so I’m not going to hold you up too much longer. Is there anything you would like to put out there to all that follow you before we speak again?
MG: Keep following me and keep following my journey. I’m going to keep on giving you real fights; great fights with knockouts.
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