—How do you feel right now?
I didn’t have to cut weight this time around, so I feel good. Plus, it’s only 2 x 3 minute rounds. I trained to avoid injury.

—Did you focus on any one particular thing while training?
Of course. I focused on striking. Since the match was announced, all I have worked on is my striking.

—Are you confident competing under kick boxing rules?
Not really, but this is a mixed rules match. If it goes two rounds, I can’t see there being any problems.

—What about your game plan?
I have two plans I’ve prepared but I won’t know which one to use until I am in the ring. I’ll think about that then.

—Tell about your striking technique?
I’m a wrestler and I am used to take downs, so up until now there hasn’t really been all that much risk but I am more much confident in my striking now. My opponent however, is the top fighter in the 70kg division so I don’t know how this will go.

—Are you going to try and knock him out in the 2nd round, if it goes that far?
Based on what I’ve done in my career so far, there’s something wrong if I can’t knock him down by the second round. I don’t think either of us thought we’d have to be fighting by mixed rules.