—How is your current condition?
My preparation has been spot on. I am in 100% perfect physical condition. The rounds setup this time around is a little different to what I am used to though, so I had to tweak my training but my preparation has been perfect.

—Please tell us your thoughts on your opponent?
I think he’s a very strong, really speedy fighter. He has a Judo background, so my preparation for this fight included a lot of Judo practice.

—What kind of fight do you envision it to be?
I will fight this fight with the same strategy I always do. We will start off with standup, but different strategies come in to play depending on how the flow of the fight goes.

—Do you have anything you especially want the Japanese fans to look at when they watch you fight?
My strongest skill is my striking ability. I think Japanese fans like good fighters who can strike well. I want to show I have the will to win, that I am aggressive, and that I always go forward when fighting. I want everyone to see me as the last man standing, the tournament winner.

—Who would you say is your biggest target in this tournament?
Every fighter in this tournament is a champion in their own federation. They are all great fighters, and each fighter has a chance to win the tournament. It’s therefore impossible to single out a single fighter as my biggest target.

—Lastly, do you have anything you’d like to say to the fans?
I plan to give this my best shot. I believe in myself, that I can be champion. To all the Japanese fans, please support me and send me all your positive energy.