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[Brutus]

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KM: How is training going?

PB: Training is going really well. I came out to Albuquerque, New Mexico to get some high altitude training. Right now I’m at Greg Jackson’s camp training with Rashad Evans, Greg Jackson, and Keith Jardine. I have been here one week already and today we ran sprints. We ran five miles at 11,000 feet and then seven flights of stairs at 11,000 feet. It was a long day today.


KM: Are you training this time around with AKA?

PB: Yeah. I was planning on going back to AKA this Sunday but it looks like I’ll stay out here one more week to work on the cardio end. The thing is this is going to be a five-round fight and I’m in the deep water to beat him. I look at every fight as it will take me three or four rounds, I always think it will be a couple rounds until I beat him.


KM: Your last fight that went the distance was against Bobby Hoffman in King of the Cage. How important is it this is five rounds?


PB: Its important because for Strikeforce it is a vacant title. I think it is going to catapult me up to the top twenty rack. When they offered it to me I was like ‘lets go for it, it is only two more rounds’. You are right, I haven’t been past the second round for a couple years but I’ll be ready.


KM: You were the KOTC champion and fought for the UFC belt. What do you think of the Strikeforce title itself?


PB: It is just another accomplishment, another proving ground. To win the title is going to be huge for me. I look forward to it because it is going to legitimize the Strikeforce more. I want it and look forward to it because I’ve been pushed away from the UFC title. I want to get the Strikeforce title and hold on to it.


KM: By going for the belt you are committing yourself to Strikeforce.


PB: Strikeforce have taken care of me. Right now with Randy Couture…I don’t know if UFC would take care of me or the people they have. It is kind of weird now that Randy Couture has opened the beans up. I’m kind of digging my feet in with Strikeforce but I have another five years to make that decision, that leap. Right now I’m happy with Strikeforce and don’t want to lose what I have with Strikeforce. Hopefully M-1 keeps UFC from monopolizing everything.


KM: M-1 Global’s first show is February, EliteXC just started this year, and Strikeforce themselves are really growing this year. What do you think of the scene now?


PB: I think it has been a really good year. Showtime/Elite, M-1, Strikeforce, IFL, and (Mark) Cuban over in Texas…I’m glad all these shows are coming up. UFC is the type of market where they want to control it all and I don’t think it is right for the fighters.


KM: How do you feel about fighting Alistair Overeem?

PB: I think it is a good fight for me. Yes, it is another standup battle but he is accomplished, dangerous, and everyone knows who he is. Everybody wants to see what I’m capable of against someone like Overeem. No way at all it is going to be frowned upon the opponent I have. Like I always say, I’m going to go out and give 110% and put on a war and see what happens.


KM: He is a Pride vet and trains at Golden Glory but he is on a four-loss streak. If people aren’t familiar with him what can you say to get people psyched up for this fight?


PB: Come watch me fight. I don’t put on a boring show.

KM: Can you describe your last fight, the one against Carter Williams?


PB: I think my gameplan worked to a T. I isolated him and totally controlled that fight. I think it was a great fight.


KM: Anything else to get across to the fans?

PB: Go to paulbuentello.com and sign up for the newsletter. (Note: Paul also has a MySpace page at www.myspace.com/ufcbuentello).

i think if ovareem comes in good shape, altho its not likely, he'll pick buentello apart.