Can you just give us some opening comments on your fight June 2?
It is just another day at work, that’s about it. I take every fight seriously. I am ready to compete.
What do you know about your opponent and what kind of fight do you expect?
First of all, KO. I have seen him fight other guys before. (I do not have) to worry about him. As far as matching up with me, I do not think he can handle my strength and power.
You are really a tribute to not only MMA, but to all sports in regard to what you have gone through and how you support your family. Can you tell us about that?
I grew up in a rough life. I grew up around crime and my parents were not too educated, but they tried and did their best. Out of all the mistakes, I tried to learn. So I am trying to raise my kids better than I was raised. My brothers are going through their trials in their lives (so) I am trying to be there as a positive impact in my nephews’ lives. I am just there to support them and hopefully let them know that life is what you make of it. I want to set a good example for my kids and my nephews and nieces. You get what you get out of life, if you work hard for it.
Before you got into MMA, you were in construction. Now you are in the business of destruction. How has life changed for you since you began your career in MMA?
It just made me explore more of my skills and what I know I am capable of. I want to bring something new to the table with my fight skills and my mentality and my athletic ability. I can adapt to anybody’s style of fighting.
Who do you typically train with for your fights and who trained you for this fight?
Well, for this fight, I have been training at different gyms because I really want to open my own gym. I am not a young fighter, so I have seen a lot and I have been around a lot of people. I have adapted to my own style of fighting and I know what works for me and it is what brought me to this level of fighting. I teach myself. I have people there just to look at my lazy points and let me know that I have to focus on those lazy points, like my hands being down, that I need more cardio, that I need to stretch this and lose weight here. But overall, I am a fighter and athlete trying to compete at the highest level. As far as the people I have around me, they are people like Jamie Fletcher. He helps me on my MMA and my kickboxing skills. Then I have a couple other Tai brothers who help me with my stand-up skills. Basically, it is just I am an older fighter and a student of the game. I try to expand myself to be a better athlete and a better competitor in this level of sports and competition.
Mo, it sounds like you really enjoy fighting. Is that true?
Well, to me, nobody enjoys fighting, but I would say I enjoy the competition, the competitive side of the sport. It is a sport and I am a very competitive type of person and an athletic type of person, and this happens to be where my ability is and I enjoy supporting my abilities. I always felt in my heart that I was an athlete. I tried football. I have been a football player and a wrestler in my life, but this is where my athletic ability landed at so I will make the best of it. Competition is everything and I am a very competitive person. Hopefully, in this athletic sport, I will show my best to the world.
Besides winning, what do you remember about the night you knocked out three guys in three fights?
I just remember that I was looking for their weaknesses in them and just taking them one fight at a time. I picked them apart. I saw what their weaknesses were and showed them my strength. I got the best of the competition.
Do you like to study tapes of your opponents?
Yes, I do. I like to study their weaknesses. I may watch films just one time to see their weaknesses. Then I know they have a weakness. There is one thing about fighting, you cannot just go to that weakness, not like football. It is more like you know this guy has a weakness, but it all depends on the moment. You have to be able to read your opponent and adjust to his style of what he is doing.
Style wise, how does your opponent’s Greco Roman style play with your style?
Well, Greco, you got to pass the red zone when you are standing up, the red zone for a striker. Once he passes that, then I would have to adjust his style on the ground. One of my strengths (is that he weighs) that much. I doubt his skill level will match my strength because I am a very strong individual and that has helped me a lot. Plus, I have done pretty well in collegiate wrestling as a youngster. So I have some ground game for him too.
If Choi Hong Man cannot fight and if you were approached, would you have a problem stepping up to fight Brock Lesnar next week?
I would have no problem fighting Brock Lesnar. He would look good on my resume.
How do you feel you match up style-wise with Brock? Obviously, he has not fought before in MMA, but he has a very strong wrestling background. Do you feel like your skills will negate his wrestling?
It depends on what opportunity he gives me. If he gives me an opportunity for me to strike him, then you can consider the fight over. If he is smart enough to get across that red zone and slick enough, then he might have a chance with me. But he has to pass that red zone as far as me striking him, I feel, like most wrestlers, they do not really strike, especially me. I am a very, very heavy striker. So if he is smart and slick enough to get past that red zone past me, he might have a chance. He might.
Is there any update on Choi Hong Man and if that has been finalized whether he can compete next week?
No. I just heard that they are going to go through one more doctor to find out what the deal is on that and then I guess today or tomorrow I will find out what the deal is on that.
You are a perfect 2-0 in MMA. You have experience and a knockout over Choi Hong Man. Are you thinking that you will go right through your opponent?
No, I am not thinking I am going right through him, but I just know what I have to bring to the table. Of course, I do keep in mind that he has some ground skills, but basically I do not want to put that type of pressure on myself as far as what he is bringing to the table. All I know is I am strong enough in my defense. Whatever he gives me on my offense; I will take advantage of that.
Any closing comments?
Just look out for Mighty Mo TBC, he is coming with the bomb.
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