One of the most publicized entries into mixed martial arts will take place June 2 in Los Angeles when former NCAA and WWE heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar faces Hong-Man Choi.
The fight between Lesnar and Choi will be the co-main event of a card being promoted under an alliance between Japanese-based kickboxing and MMA promotion K-1 and the U.S.-based Elite Xtreme Combat.
CBS Sportsline.com was recently given the opportunity to speak with Lesnar, who is deep into preparations for his debut.
Q: How long have you been training in MMA?
BL: I've been training for approximately -- in June it'll be a year -- so obviously right now, is it 10 months?
Q: What weight do you walk around at and do you think it will be an issue cutting to 265?
BL: Right now I am walking around at 265-270, so it is not an issue. I was this weight when I won the national championship.
Q: Where are you currently training and who are you training with?
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| Brock Lesnar: NCAA champion, WWE superstar, and now, MMA fighter. (T. Casino) |
Q: During a K-1 event last year it was reported that Royce Gracie, who will be in the co-main event on June 2, was introduced as your trainer. Have you had a chance to work with Gracie at all?
BL: You know what, we have not. Our schedules haven't been able to come together. I imagine once this fight gets over with then me and Royce will be spending some time together. But due to our schedule conflicts we just haven't been able to meet up.
Q: As you add striking to your world class wrestling skills, what's been the biggest obstacle for you in developing a standup game?
BL: I think for anybody that's never thrown their hands around, it's just learning how to adapt and to be comfortable. For me (the adjustment is) to be comfortable in my wrestling stance, to change into somewhat of a fighter stance, to learn to be able to throw hands freely and smoothly to allow a greater impact on my punches. I think the standup game has been more -- I wouldn't say more difficult -- it's been a challenge just in learning to combine my jiu-jistu with my wrestling background, which was much easier than combining my standup. I've still got to prove myself in this first fight and I've got lots of room to grow, which is good, you know I've got a couple months yet. But I have been specifically working on my standup for a legitimate 10, 11 months.
