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"I approached this fight strategically" – interview with Krzysztof Kulak
Sometimes dreams come true and KSW veteran and Adrenalina Fight Czestochowa fighter Krzysztof Kulak is the proof of that. The most experienced mixed martial artist in Poland was victorious in his title bout against Vitor Nobrega and he’s now the KSW Federation World Middleweight Champion. A few days after KSW 13 I spoke with a popular Model about his great success:
Krzysiek, first of all I want to congratulate you on becoming a KSW World Middleweight Champion. Tell us how the fight went in your mind.
- When I recall the fight now I think that I could strike more in the short range. But who knows, maybe then I would be more susceptible to his takedowns. I fought a little bit against myself as I tried not to be overly aggressive.
How does it feel to finally win the KSW gold?
- It gives me a new motivation. I fought in the wrong weight class for over four years, there were a lot of sacrifices, injuries and liters of sweat during training... now it doesn’t matter. My dream came true. What’s more I know that I deserved this belt and I don’t need to deceive myself no more.
Do you want to dedicate this victory to anyone?
- I want to thank my sponsors, because it’s not like I use the money they give to buy Caribbean holidays or a house with a swimming pool. They help me to pay for my studies, for healthy food and supplements. It’s also pretty obvious that when I prepare for the fight, I can’t teach classes in my gym, so sponsors help me to make a living. I thank Glok Securty, Takedown web shop, Muscle Power, Det and Exclusive Event.
You weren’t eager to fight on the ground, instead you decided to strike on the feet. Was this your strategy before the bout?
- Yes, more or less it was my strategy, although as I said before I don’t feel that Nobrega is better on the ground than me. I executed my game plan and I’m satisfied with my performance.
The Brazilian fouled you a few times and received a yellow card. Do you think it was intentional and that he wanted to mess with you in order to win the bout?
- The fouls are his specialty. In the bout against Christ he passed the guard while pulling his welt. In the Kadlubek fight he secured the arm-triangle after he put his chin in Artut’s eye, he did the same in the fight against Aleksander Medrala in Portugal. In the fight against me he was attacking with his head and passed to mount after he put his chin in my forehead. It’s really disheartening! Usually officials help local fighters a little bit, but it wasn’t the case this time. He deserved the warning and referee Tomasz Bronder acted properly.
After your victory against Nobrega, the rumor surfaced that at KSW 14 you might face Marcin Najman. Is that true? Is this fight happening?
- That’s true. He wants to once again shine in the media and fight against someone accomplished, so people will talk about him. No matter if they talk good or bad. If the KSW promoters decide that they want to do this fight, I will accept it. I don’t care who I fight, I just don’t want any fatties.
So at what weight this fight may be contested?
- Yeah, that’s the key. Marcinek walks around one hundred kilograms and I don’t want to move up.
What can you say about Najman as an MMA opponent?
- He’s never done anything in MMA, he said it himself that his career had been over even before it had started.
Is it possible that it will be your first title defense?
- Sure, why not. If he makes eighty-five kilograms I invite him to challenge for my belt.
There is a rumor that you mock at Najman saying that he’s an athlete without any successes and his trainings usually consist of fifteen minutes of talking and that’s all. Is that true?
- I don’t mock at him. His self-promotion just gets on my nerves. He insults all these people and it’s not right. As for his trainings, well I was in Warsaw before KSW 13. After my morning training I came to the gym in the evening and some media people were there. I was really spent and I didn’t feel like training, so I was skipping a rope. I joked that it is Najman-style training – to jump, have some pictures taken, maybe a video interview and off to go home.
Do you want to tell him something before your potential encounter?
- Marcin I like you, you’re a nice guy, a showman but if you want to fight me, prove that you are worth it. Oh and diet down, diet down, diet down...
Thanks for the interview and I whish you more MMA victories in your KSW Federation title defenses.
- Thanks, cheers.
Interview by Artur Przybysz
Krzysiek, first of all I want to congratulate you on becoming a KSW World Middleweight Champion. Tell us how the fight went in your mind.
- When I recall the fight now I think that I could strike more in the short range. But who knows, maybe then I would be more susceptible to his takedowns. I fought a little bit against myself as I tried not to be overly aggressive.
How does it feel to finally win the KSW gold?
- It gives me a new motivation. I fought in the wrong weight class for over four years, there were a lot of sacrifices, injuries and liters of sweat during training... now it doesn’t matter. My dream came true. What’s more I know that I deserved this belt and I don’t need to deceive myself no more.
Do you want to dedicate this victory to anyone?
- I want to thank my sponsors, because it’s not like I use the money they give to buy Caribbean holidays or a house with a swimming pool. They help me to pay for my studies, for healthy food and supplements. It’s also pretty obvious that when I prepare for the fight, I can’t teach classes in my gym, so sponsors help me to make a living. I thank Glok Securty, Takedown web shop, Muscle Power, Det and Exclusive Event.
You weren’t eager to fight on the ground, instead you decided to strike on the feet. Was this your strategy before the bout?
- Yes, more or less it was my strategy, although as I said before I don’t feel that Nobrega is better on the ground than me. I executed my game plan and I’m satisfied with my performance.
The Brazilian fouled you a few times and received a yellow card. Do you think it was intentional and that he wanted to mess with you in order to win the bout?
- The fouls are his specialty. In the bout against Christ he passed the guard while pulling his welt. In the Kadlubek fight he secured the arm-triangle after he put his chin in Artut’s eye, he did the same in the fight against Aleksander Medrala in Portugal. In the fight against me he was attacking with his head and passed to mount after he put his chin in my forehead. It’s really disheartening! Usually officials help local fighters a little bit, but it wasn’t the case this time. He deserved the warning and referee Tomasz Bronder acted properly.
After your victory against Nobrega, the rumor surfaced that at KSW 14 you might face Marcin Najman. Is that true? Is this fight happening?
- That’s true. He wants to once again shine in the media and fight against someone accomplished, so people will talk about him. No matter if they talk good or bad. If the KSW promoters decide that they want to do this fight, I will accept it. I don’t care who I fight, I just don’t want any fatties.
So at what weight this fight may be contested?
- Yeah, that’s the key. Marcinek walks around one hundred kilograms and I don’t want to move up.
What can you say about Najman as an MMA opponent?
- He’s never done anything in MMA, he said it himself that his career had been over even before it had started.
Is it possible that it will be your first title defense?
- Sure, why not. If he makes eighty-five kilograms I invite him to challenge for my belt.
There is a rumor that you mock at Najman saying that he’s an athlete without any successes and his trainings usually consist of fifteen minutes of talking and that’s all. Is that true?
- I don’t mock at him. His self-promotion just gets on my nerves. He insults all these people and it’s not right. As for his trainings, well I was in Warsaw before KSW 13. After my morning training I came to the gym in the evening and some media people were there. I was really spent and I didn’t feel like training, so I was skipping a rope. I joked that it is Najman-style training – to jump, have some pictures taken, maybe a video interview and off to go home.
Do you want to tell him something before your potential encounter?
- Marcin I like you, you’re a nice guy, a showman but if you want to fight me, prove that you are worth it. Oh and diet down, diet down, diet down...
Thanks for the interview and I whish you more MMA victories in your KSW Federation title defenses.
- Thanks, cheers.
Interview by Artur Przybysz
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