Cheick Kongo: “I will be the UFC heavyweight champion”

Published on: 30th May, 2009

Cheick Kongo: "I will be the UFC heavyweight champion"  | read this item

Cheick Kongo is on top of the Heavyweighirt divisions short list of possible contenders for Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir after they unify the titles at UFC 100. Kongo could solidify a title shot with a win over Cain Velasquez at UFC 99 or at least get a step closer. In his latest interview Kongo talked about a possible title shot, becoming the UFC Heavyweight champion and sent a message to Cain Velasquez in their upcoming bout.

The Sun caught up to Kongo and asked him about a possible title shot after Frank Mir and Brock Lesnar unify the Heavyweight title at UFC 100. The confident Kongo says he thinks he will eventaully become Heavyweight champion.

“Maybe I am going to get a shot after this fight. I hope to hear something good after I win this fight, you never know.

“I don’t make the rules on these things. I thought I was close before, but all I can do is fight and keep winning and training.

“But I am more confident than ever. I am doing things in my fights that I have done in the gym for a while and I am getting better. I think I will be the UFC heavyweight champion.”

Kongo also sent out a firm message to his opponent Cain Velasquez who he stepped in to face when Heath Herring came down with a illness and could not train.

“Cain is from the new generation, he is young. He has a lot to prove but he looks very good.

“He doesn’t need to be in a hurry, he has only just got to the UFC. So I don’t know why this fight makes so much sense for him. I have seen his fights of course but I honestly can’t picture what he looks like. I hear he is good but if I was his manager I wouldn’t want my fighter to fight someone like me so soon.

“He is a respectful, but it is gonna be tough for him to fight me at this stage of his career. He needs heart to beat me. Lots of heart. He needs to be very careful. He can be very good, I have heard, but I am not too concerned. He should be the one who’s worried. I had only three weeks to prepare but that is okay. I am always in shape, always. I go the gym twice a day, every day, even when I do not have a fight.

“When I’m in training I do eight hours a day split into four sessions. I am a fighter and was ready to fight. The only thing is we haven’t had much time to plan a strategy, but neither has he. He was supposed to fight Heath Herring at UFC 99 originally. Whoever wins, wins because he is the best fighter on the night. That will be the only reason.”

We do not know for sure if Kongo will get a title shot with a win over Velasquez, because Shane Carwin is also on top of the contenders list in the division. But, with a win at UFC 99 over Velasquez he will also get a step closer to his goal of a title shot.

 Alberto Martinez "The Narcisist" is the founding owner of URDirt.com. If you would like to post on the front page or in our New "Fan Jab" section all you need to do is register. Read more from this author

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