Cheick Kongo: “MMA is no longer considered a thug sport”


Cheick Kongo, the forerunner of MMA in France, faces Ryan Bader, reigning heavyweight champion, Friday in Paris. At almost 47 years old, the Bellator 280 fighter intends to make an impression.

You are back in France for a second fight. What does this represent?

It is a consecration and the culmination of a career. And there is an opportunity to recover this title.

This fight is also a catch-up after this No Contest for an “eye contact” during your first confrontation.

We’re going to put things back on Friday night. I had to fret after this No Contest, I was frustrated, I didn’t have the right to speak… Anyway, we don’t stop at that, we go back to work and what matters is to have bite.

There will also be a desire to forget the defeat in the first fight in Paris a year and a half ago…

It’s clear… we shouldn’t make the same mistake again. We are here to defend the colors and its heritage. We don’t want to let anyone settle and invade our country. So, I have to mark the spirits.

I want to be respected as a French fighter!

This will be your second fight only in France. Do you regret not having been able to fight more often in France?

I will say yes for not having been able to take advantage and give this momentum to the sport. But after no, it had to be framed that everyone agrees. It’s not worse. Everything is framed. Now people know what discipline is. There are no more bad words. People are less skeptical. In the beginning, people spoke of a discipline for bandits, hoodlums, misfits. MMA is much more respected.

What would a great victory look like?

Technically, it would be to make a fight of 1er at 5and round and “beat” him. Those are the terms, sorry, but basically pure punishment. Afterwards, I never look for the knockout.

What would it be like to lift that belt in front of your audience?

This would be an opportunity to show that we can do it. That any young suburban can succeed. It will also be for Africa. I want to defend the African, North African, Sub-Saharan communities… I want to be respected as a French fighter! This is also why I continue to fight.

Cheick Kongo’s interview in L’Arène Podcast





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