Denis Kang on his bout with Bisping…”Someone is going to get knocked out”

Denis Kang has fought all over the world throughout his 12 year career. He has faced some of the biggest names in the sport including, Gegard Mousasi, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Murilo “Ninja” Rua and Jason Miller.

He has fought in Pride, Dream, K-1, Pancrase and Spirit before joining the UFC in the beginning of this year. With a wealth of experience, talent and great training partners at American Top Team, Kang is set to face British bad boy, Michael Bisping at UFC 105 in November.

I recently had an opportunity to conduct my second interview with Kang and here is what he had to say about Bisping, fighting overseas, and his career in general.

Bryan Levick: How is your preparation going for your bout with Bisping?

Denis Kang: My training has been great thus far, I have had no problems getting motivated for this fight.

BL: How does it feel knowing that you are fighting in front of 20,000 people who will be booing you?

DK: I have fought the local hero before, this isn’t my first time around the block in that regard. I actually find it to be less stressful than being the fan favorite. The pressure will be on Bisping to perform in front of his hometown fans.

BL: How do you feel you match up with Bisping?

DK: I think style wise we both like to come out swinging. Somebody is definitely getting knocked out come November 14th.

BL: Considering you have an even won-loss record in your first two UFC fights, o you feel as though this is a make or break fight for you?

DK: No not at all.

BL: What do you feel are some of Bisping’s strengths and weaknesses?

DK: He has always shown he has good cardio and he can be very tenacious. He also seems to be fast on his feet.

BL: Is there anyone you have previously fought that resembles his style?

DK: Not that I can think of, he seems to be more elusive than any of my past opponents.

BL: This will be your third fight for the UFC and all three will have taken place outside of the United States. Do you feel as though the UFC is purposely booking you to fight outside the country to take advantage of your popularity overseas? If so, would you eventually like to fight in the United States?

DK: Maybe they would like me to fight in Europe again because Pride was very popular there. If given the opportunity, I would also like to fight in the US.

BL: Do you find it difficult in preparing for a fight overseas?

DK: Not at all, I’m used to dealing with the jetlag and everything else that is associated with fighting overseas.

BL: Do you believe a victory over Bisping would get you closer to a shot at the UFC middleweight championship?

DK: It would definitely put me one step closer to contention.

BL: How would you compare fighting for the UFC as opposed to Spirit, Pride and any other organization you have competed in?

DK: I like fighting for the UFC, they are much more organized than any of the other promotions I have been involved with.

BL: Training at American Top Team has its obvious advantages. You not only have some of the world’s best coaches but you have a plethora of talented mixed martial artists to help prepare you for your fights. Who is helping you train for your bout with Bisping?

DK: I am not training there at this time, but when I get down there, there is a core group of guys who assist me. Sengoku middleweight champion, Jorge Santiago, UFC middleweight, Wilson Gouveia and Marcos “Parrumphina” Damatta are a few of the guys I train with.

BL: At UFC 97 you defeated Xavier Foupa-Pokam in front of a sellout crowd in Montreal. How did it feel to fight in front of the Canadian fans?

DK: It was great to fight at home, I felt like I was much more relaxed.

BL: One of your former opponents from your days in K-1, Yoshihiro Akiyama recently made a successful debut by defeating Alan Belcher at UFC 100. What did you think of his performance and would you be interested in fighting him once again?

DK: I thought he put on a good performance, it was a very close fight. I would love to fight him again if the opportunity arose but it is not something that is very important to me.

BL: How many fights are left on your current UFC contract?

DK: I have four fights left.

BL: Throughout your career you have shown yourself to be a very versatile fighter. You have amassed 32 career wins with 12 coming by way of knockout and 15 coming via submission. What is your ideal finish to a fight?

DK: Knocking your opponent out is the most satisfying but a submission is so definitive.

BL: Denis, I would like to thank you for your time and I want to wish you the best of luck in your bout with Bisping and all your future fights.

DK: No problem.

If anyone would more information on Kang, you can visit his website here.