During UFC 135 in Denver, Bleacher Report ran into Cheick Kongo at the media buffet. The likeable French striker was kind enough to share some thoughts on a range of topics from Matt Mitrione to foie gras.
The video includes a reenactment—at the interviewer’s expense—of Kongo’s dramatic come-from-behind KO victory over Pat Barry. But if you don’t have time, or can’t understand what the big Frenchman is saying, here’s the Cliff Notes of the interview:
On whether he thinks Matt Mitrione, his co-main event dance partner October 29th at UFC 137, will stand with him: “Not really. He’ll exchange just a little bit.” Kongo anticipates a trap, in the form of a takedown attempt.
On his wild fight with Pat Barry:
I remember everything except the first time he caught me. It was dark for a few second…At that moment I knew there were two possibilities: to have the referee next to me saying ‘Ok, it’s over, calm down Cheick, breath correctly, get back on your side.’ Or, I keep going.
I just dropped the hands you know, and just made him confident so he come for me very confident ‘ok so I’m gonna knock him out.’ I dropped my hands and he dropped his hands too… It was kind of a hook with the right hand like this [demonstrates on me]. I saw him dancing. I wasn’t sure if I touched him. So for sure I just came with the uppercut.
On feelings of gratitude he might have toward Josh Rosenthal, the referee who didn’t call the fight when Barry had Kongo in big trouble: “All of the referees get Christmas cards.”
On his training diet: “I eat everything: Croissant, pan chocolate, escargot, coq au vin.”
On what he likes to eat in France: “Real food. No protein shake. Nothing fake. My body rejects. Except vitamins, amino acids,” and of course MusclePharm products.
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