"We're trying to work it out to whoever wins that fight with Kimbo, we fight them. That's who we want; we want Kimbo Slice after this," stated Eric "Butterbean" Esch as he made it perfectly clear that he anxious to test the beard of Slice. Check out what else he had to say as he talks more about Slice, his upcoming fight Gary Goodrich at the April 11th YAMMA debut and much more.
PC: How's everything going my man?
EE: Everything is going pretty good.
PC: You're coming off of a 1st round knockout in Mississippi. Did you go right back into the gym or take some time off?
EE: I went right back into training, but now I'm in Michigan training in Muay Thai and wrestling, trying to get a little more well-rounded. I'm getting in a lot better condition for Gary; it's going to be a heck of a fight.
PC: April 11th, you'll be fighting Gary Goodridge for the YAMMA Pit Fighting organization. How did this fight come about?
EE: The people from YAMMA got a hold of me. They told me nobody wants to fight Gary and asked if I was interested and I said, "Yeah, without a doubt!" We're trying to work it out to whoever wins that fight with Kimbo, we fight them. That's who we want; we want Kimbo Slice after this.
PC: Have you heard anything from Kimbo's people? The fans seem to really want to see that fight.
EE: They don't want to fight me, I hit too hard! Kimbo doesn't want to fight anybody that can knock him out and I'm the man that can do it. Kimbo doesn't want to fight anybody that can hit and I can definitely hit.
PC: Do you think he's overhyped from what you have seen of him?
EE: No, he can fight. He just hasn't fought nobody that can punch back yet. I can not only punch, but I can take a punch.
PC: Gary likes to stand and bang too Bean. How do you see that fight going?
EE: It should be fun. I really think it's going to be an interesting fight. The fans are going to come out the winner because we're going to go hard.
PC: You've submitted guys before and you said you've been working on your wrestling. Can we expect to see you shooting for takedowns?
EE: I only get a submission if I'm forced into it. I would rather knock somebody out. I'm known as a knockout kind of guy and that's what I want to do.
PC: How do you feel about this new organization?
EE: I'm familiar with them already. It's really an old organization, it's just been in limbo for a while. They originally started the UFC. I'm real comfortable with them and they have their head on their shoulders. Bob Meyrowitz has teamed up with Live Nation, so you can't ask for anything any bigger than this. Taj Mahal, April 11th, it's going to be an interesting night.
PC: It appears that you are trying to stay really busy this year. How many times would you like to fight?
EE: I want to fight at least 7 times this year; maybe more like 12 or 13. I always stay busy, even when I boxed or anything. I'm always busy.
PC: How much longer do you see yourself competing man?
EE: At least a couple of more years.
PC: When can the fans in Mississippi expect another show from your promotion company?
EE: Probably in July. We're going to work something out with The Hard Rock.
PC: What can the fans expect on the 11th?
EE: You definitely want to watch the show on the 11th. It's going to be a bang up show. The tournament is going to be something fabulous to watch. I think me and Gary's fight is going to steal the show. It's going to be a tough fight. I think this will be the toughest fight I've ever had and it's going to be a really interesting fight to watch.
PC: Are you doing anything in particular in training to acclimate yourself to Gary's style?
EE: Gary's going to have to adapt to me. Gary knew from the beginning that he would have to adapt to me. Gary's got his hands full and he's never seen this side of me. Me and Gary have fought on many cards together and we're friends, but when we get to the YAMMA Pit, it's going to be a different story. Gary's going to see a side of me he's never seen.
PC: Thanks for your time Bean. Good luck in your fight with Goodridge. Anything you want to say in closing?
EE: Thanks a lot for everything and everybody check out my myspace account.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]