"I will fight like this is the last fight of my life. It's like I'm fighting for my life pretty much so as far as any pressure, I'm not going to go in there and think I've lost my first fight and I've got to make it right. I'm going to go in there like I've never fought before and this is the only fight I have in my life," stated UFC light heavyweight Sokoudjou as he talked about his upcoming clash with Kazuhiro Nakamura at UFC 84 this Saturday. Check out what he had to say about Nakamura, the fight and more.
PC: You ready to go man?
TS: Yeah, definitely. Let's do it.
PC: How was training camp for this fight?
TS: It's been pretty good. I'm done with the torture part so now I'm getting ready.
PC: Did you train with the normal Team Quest guys or did you bring in some Judo guys to prepare for Nakamura?
TS: We brought some Judo guys in. One of the guys was Pawel Nastula from Poland, "The crazy killing machine." He doesn't look like it, but that motherfucker has an old method of training man. When I first saw him, I was like, "I'm going to fuck him up" and then I realized I was wrong.
PC: Can we expect a much more relaxed Sokoudjou?
TS: Yeah. I learned my lesson so I'm not going to make the same mistake again.
PC: Do you feel any different going into this fight as opposed to the Machida fight?
TS: I'm much more relaxed than the last time. Like I said, I learned my lesson so I did things different this time. I'm back home and the last time, I was in Vegas a week before the fight. Now I'm just chilling at home watching TV and being lazy; just relaxing.
PC: A lot of fans, including myself, are upset that your fight is not on the televised card so I expect something spectacular so it can get on air.
TS: I will do something spectacular brother. That means less money for me man so I was kind of mad because all of my sponsors want to see me on the PPV.
PC: It's 2 Judo guys going at it, but do you feel like you have the edge in striking and overall skill?
TS: I don't think I do, but I know I do so I'm going to go in there knowing that I trained to be better than him. I have no doubt about my skills and what I'm able to do this time. I know I'm better than him after everything that I went through and I don't think he has a chance of winning.
PC: How important is it for you not to only win, but to look spectacular in doing so?
TS: It's a fight so whether I have a previous loss in the UFC or not, I will fight like this is the last fight of my life. It's like I'm fighting for my life pretty much so as far as any pressure, I'm not going to go in there and think I've lost my first fight and I've got to make it right. I'm going to go in there like I've never fought before and this is the only fight I have in my life.
PC: I'm sure Nakamura will have something interesting for the weigh–in or the entrance. Are we going to see the "Predator" mask again?
TS: (Laughing) I don't know. I haven't thought about that one yet, but we'll see. Those Japanese fighters always have something going on so we'll see. Since my fight won't be on TV, I really didn't focus on that part of it; even if they show it after the main card, they'll just show the fight. I really didn't put too much into it.
PC: Do you miss Pride FC my man?
TS: I miss the Pride days man. That was the best thing that ever happened to me so of course I miss them.
PC: I saw you in Brian Stann's corner when he captured the WEC light heavyweight title. How proud were you of him?
TS: I was very happy for him. That was a big thing for him and it put his career where he wants it to be so I'm proud of him. Now he has good things happening for him.
PC: Sokoudjou, good luck Saturday night my man. Like I said, I need something spectacular to happen so we can check out your fight. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
TS: Definitely. I just want to thank all of my sponsors for this fight and Tapout for the money.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]