“Nobuhiko Takada’s words have fired me up”
An interview with Tsuyoshi Kosaka
—How do you feel going into your comeback match?
I have a nervous feeling, but it’s one of those really good nervous feelings. The mixture of not knowing what will happen on the day, as well as my own expectations, really excites me. You only feel this by being an active fighter.
I have a nervous feeling, but it’s one of those really good nervous feelings. The mixture of not knowing what will happen on the day, as well as my own expectations, really excites me. You only feel this by being an active fighter.
—Which do you prefer, the feeling of being excited or being anxious? /b>
I don’t really feel anxious, but I can’t really put into words how I feel now. I’ve been away from the ring for almost 10 years now, but I still have that feeling inside me of what it takes to have a fight. I am constantly thinking about how a fight goes and I always took care of my body.
I don’t really feel anxious, but I can’t really put into words how I feel now. I’ve been away from the ring for almost 10 years now, but I still have that feeling inside me of what it takes to have a fight. I am constantly thinking about how a fight goes and I always took care of my body.
—And how is your conditioning?
I feel great, I am very happy with myself.
I feel great, I am very happy with myself.
—What did you focus on in training the most?
Mostly my health. I worked on my movements, always checking to see what I can and cannot do. Being able to have that choice was really cool.
—Are there any differences between now and before you retired?
My conditioning and overall stamina is much better now. I think it’s because I can now see the small details, whereas before I couldn’t and that’s where I failed. These days I can see exactly where I need to improve.
My conditioning and overall stamina is much better now. I think it’s because I can now see the small details, whereas before I couldn’t and that’s where I failed. These days I can see exactly where I need to improve.
—Have you dropped anything then?
Yes, my weight and the amount I eat (LOL!). I decided to stop trying so hard to gain weight unnaturally. When I fought Ron Waterman I was 106kgs but there is no way I could fight at that weight now. The more weight you put on, the more risk and burden you put on your body so to compensate for that I trained differently and worked much harder.
Yes, my weight and the amount I eat (LOL!). I decided to stop trying so hard to gain weight unnaturally. When I fought Ron Waterman I was 106kgs but there is no way I could fight at that weight now. The more weight you put on, the more risk and burden you put on your body so to compensate for that I trained differently and worked much harder.
—Do you feel like you don’t want to lose against a younger fighter?
I never want to lose. These younger fighters these days are really kicking butt and training hard, compared to 10 years ago the level is totally different. It’s amazing how good they are these days. They still haven’t broken through yet, but they are on the verge of doing so. The key to that, and the answer, will be Rizin.
I never want to lose. These younger fighters these days are really kicking butt and training hard, compared to 10 years ago the level is totally different. It’s amazing how good they are these days. They still haven’t broken through yet, but they are on the verge of doing so. The key to that, and the answer, will be Rizin.
—What kind of fight would you like to show the fans?
I’m not one of those guys at the top of UFC who can have great matches, actually far from it. I have my own style of fighting, and it’s not the prettiest way. It’s actually not a very good fight style at all, and the matches I have are usually not good but I do understand myself as a fighter and I have confidence in myself to put on a fight that the fans will appreciate. /div>
—You’ve been entrusted with being in the opening fight. What are your thoughts on this?
Nobuhiko Takada talked about “a watch that has stopped working, and then starts moving again”. This really got me into thinking. The MMA fans haven’t forgotten about Pride but there has been a significant lapse in time. Although Pride may seem like a relic, the fans are impatiently waiting for it to return. I often get asked by people on the street if Pride is going to make a comeback, and they often comment that Pride was the soul of MMA. So to be entrusted with being in the opening fight, along with Nobuhiko Takada’s words, have really fired me up.
Nobuhiko Takada talked about “a watch that has stopped working, and then starts moving again”. This really got me into thinking. The MMA fans haven’t forgotten about Pride but there has been a significant lapse in time. Although Pride may seem like a relic, the fans are impatiently waiting for it to return. I often get asked by people on the street if Pride is going to make a comeback, and they often comment that Pride was the soul of MMA. So to be entrusted with being in the opening fight, along with Nobuhiko Takada’s words, have really fired me up.
—Lastly, could you tell us your thoughts leading up to the fight?
I think a lot of people are expecting us to put on a great fight. I want to put on a very high level fight, and I want the fans to take this expectation in, and then give us back the energy to rise above the occasion. I will only know this feeling when I “open the lid of the jar” so to speak, and I think this will give me that everlasting power I seek.
I think a lot of people are expecting us to put on a great fight. I want to put on a very high level fight, and I want the fans to take this expectation in, and then give us back the energy to rise above the occasion. I will only know this feeling when I “open the lid of the jar” so to speak, and I think this will give me that everlasting power I seek.
- Name:
- RIZIN.14
- Date:
- Dec 31, 2018
- Venue:
- Saitama Super Arena
- Access:
-
Saitama Super Arena
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