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[rivethead]

Denis Kang discusses DREAM GP, UFC negotiations

by John Morgan [john-morgan] on Apr 15, 2008 at 8:22 pm in - News -

Although new Japanese promotion DREAM has been slow to announce the full line-up for the first round of its middleweight grand prix later this month, one bout that has been confirmed has the potential for real fireworks. American Top Team's Denis Kang (29-9-1) will take on Pride Bushido veteran Gegard Mousasi (20-2-1).

Kang discussed the match-up while a guest on Tuesday's edition of TAGG Radio (TAGG Radio Network - Home of TAGG Radio & The Lights Out Show!), a content partner of MMAjunkie.com (MMA blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps - MMAjunkie.com).

"Good fight," Kang said of the bout. "I remember (Mousasi) from the PRIDE Bushido days. While I was going through the [Pride Bushido] Grand Prix, he was one of the guys I thought that I might get matched up with then, so I've kind of already prepared myself mentally to face him in the ring."

Mousasi has only gone to a decision once in his 23 professional fights, and 13 of his victories have come by knockout. Questions remain about the quality of competition the Armenian fighter has faced, but Kang believes the sheer number of victories amassed by Mousasi proves that he is a worthy adversary.

"I think Mousasi is a little better than people give him credit for right now," Kang said. "He's been on a hot winning streak beating a lot of guys."

The fight is Kang's second for the K-1 organization (which recently changed the name of its MMA division from "HEROS" to "DREAM"), and he has one fight remaining on his contract, which runs through September.

Perennially ranked by most in the top 10 to 15 middleweights in the world, Kang has fought all over the globe. And while the 30-year-old would love to fight in North America, it does not appear he will find a home in the UFC.

"Yes, we were (negotiating with the UFC)," Kang said. "I would have loved to fight in the UFC. I would love to fight in North America and not have to travel 12 hours for a change. At the end of the day, it came down to where I want to be represented at the moment and who was offering the best contract."

The best contract, it seems, was one that would allow the half-Korean fighter to compete in South Korea's SpiritMC organization on an annual basis. Kang has fought 10 times in the organization since 2004, winning all 10 fights, and is still the SpiritMC heavyweight champion.

However, the UFC requires exclusive contracts, which prohibit fighters from competing in other organizations. Such a limitation would have alienated many of Kang's fans.

"SpiritMC was only asking that I fight for them once a year," Kang said. "That's one of the things that I really, really wanted to do -- to keep my SpiritMC title and keep my fan base in Korea, which is really important to me."

Instead, Kang will continue his career in Japan, and he hopes to begin a successful run in DREAM's first ever middleweight grand prix with a victory over a very game opponent.

"[Mousasi] is going to be confident, and he's going to come out hard," Kang said. "I'm taking him very seriously."

To hear the full interview, download Tuesday's edition of TAGG Radio, available for free in the TAGG Radio archives.

source: Denis Kang discusses DREAM GP, UFC negotiations - MMAjunkie.com

I understand the UFC's need to for the exclusivity clause...but they let lesser fighters [Clementi, for instance] out of it...

Just sucks, I guess...

If Doc Leglock is correct, this is the first step for Mousasi to gain huge recognition in 2008...

rh

[Gmunit]

i am really excited for this fight, just wish it wasn't on a Tuesday morning

[fedor]

I thought right around the time Dana said that who gives a $%@# about Barnett, he said the same thing about Kang, that he would not offer him a contract. As far as the fight with Moussasi I can't wait...I agree this will give great name recognition to Moussasi if he wins.

[Mirko45]

I understand the UFC's need to for the exclusivity clause...but they let lesser fighters [Clementi, for instance] out of it...

Well, devil's advocate here for a second, if they let Clementi fight on a smaller show and he gets hurt, no one really cares. If you pour a ton of money into a Kang like fighter and he goes on to blow out his knee at a SpiritMC show, suddenly you are down a big talent and whole lot of money.

[SnakeD]

I'm sure that UFC could afford insurance policies for their fighters, in anticipation of injuries, either in training, or competitions. Some college football players, who are projected to do well enough to go pro, get insured through Loyd's of London.This isn't about a fighter getting hurt. It's about a contracted fighter promoting a competing org.

[grhunt]

I can see where the UFC is trying to protect their higher ranked fighters from fighting outside the UFC, but in Kang's case all he is asking for is one fight a year and i bet its pretty easy to have a contract that says if he gets hurt outside the UFC they are not liable to pay him. (in another thread it said UFC fighters get paid even if they don't fight so thats why there is a lot of fights that we dont think make sense) I would love to see Kang in the UFC but the man wants to give respect to his fans so I understand him not wanting to sign with the UFC

[mmasince91]

The UFC (IMO) is doing the right thing in that situation. If I owned the UFC I would do the same thing.

[Gmunit]

Originally Posted by mmasince91

The UFC (IMO) is doing the right thing in that situation. If I owned the UFC I would do the same thing.

The only problem IMO is keeping guys on the shelf so long that they become prone (sp?) to injuries

Its not like they'd have a problem getting someone to fill in, their issue is with the fighter's "names" and they don't wanna help promote ANYONE else (which some will argue is good for business)

[carbondioxide830]

awesome fight.

[UFC Fann]

I only wish that the Pride that was suppose to go down went down....We could have seen so many great fights. The MMA Superbowl is never going to happen....i just hope I'm wrong. Couple more years....we'll see.