Originally Posted by mmafightline.com Jerome Le Banner is a K-1 legend known for his aggressive fighting style and knockout power. Le Banner recently lost to Semmy Schilt at the K-1 World GP 2007 Final. Our exclusive content partners from Brazil, Tim Sylvia, fighting out of France, and his plans for the future.
Planet Tatami: Le Banner,you are considered the king without a crown in the K-1; one of the best athletes in the history of the organization without a World Grand Prix win. With Schilt dominating 3 consecutive years in K-1
how do you see your real chances to win a World Grand Prix at this point in your career?
Le Banner: I'm not a tournament fighter. Obviously I hope I could win a GP one day, but I don't know... I have so much bad luck with all the GP's!
Planet Tatami: Which K-1 fighters do you think can beat Schilt? And, in your
opinion, what's the right strategy to defeat him?
Le Banner: I can beat Schilt! I showed the way to beat him in the first round of our last fight. I'm gonna fight Schilt for the K1 super heavyweight
title, hopefully it will take place in Amsterdam.
Planet Tatami: You've had some MMA experience. Do you think about following other K-1 fighters like Mirko Cro Cop and Mark Hunt into MMA?
Le Banner: I will not turn MMA at 100% now, maybe later...I don't now. What
I'm sure of though...I want to fight MMA again. I want to fight in the UFC's
cage one day, just for the challenge!
Planet Tatami: A MMA fight has been rumored by the fans and that fight would be you against the former UFC champion Tim Sylvia. There are some videos in
the Internet and some statement in your interviews that you challenge Tim to a fight in his own territory, the octagon.How did this rivalry begin and how would you do in this fight?
Le Banner: Yeah, I wanna fight him badly. I want to show US fans what an
exciting fighter is, what a fighter who will give them something for their
money looks like. It's obviously something that this fake champion doesn't know how to do. I will teach him with a four ounce leather glove right in the face. Or maybe I will fix his chicken legs with some good low kicks, I don't know yet. I was contacted by FEG [to make the fight] but they told me that they will not be able to pay me what K-1 was paying me. Also, it was obvious after the big sausage got the crown, that I couldn't face him for one fight and then be in K-1 again. K-1 will allow me to fight in UFC cage but I would still be a K-1 fighter so it would be a 1 shot deal; and...[the UFC) don't like the one shot deals (laughs).
Planet Tatami: What do you think about Semmy Schilt's comeback to MMA?
Le Banner: That's great for him, he is very talented both in kick boxing and MMA. I wish him the best success...in MMA only (laughs)!
Planet Tatami: Some time ago you were rumored to be one of the coaches in IFL with your own team. Is there any possibility of this?
Le Banner: I don't know. The IFL kinda cut off the bridges without any reason. We have no more news. I would love to coach the french team, I was supposed to, now its up to IFL.
Planet Tatami: The MMA is prohibited in France. How does this effect the growth of new talent coming out of France in K-1 and MMA?
Le Banner: It's really difficult to become a real pro fighter here in France. We have weird laws. The CSA doesn't even allow the French channel to air Muay Thai with knees and elbows or even K-1. Thats crazy! Hopefully it
will change soon. I think that the French mentality just dislikes the
fights and fighters.
Planet Tatami: Thank you for your time Jerome. Do you have any messages for your sponsors or fans?
Le Banner: I would like to thanks all the fans! So many fighters do not understand that you indirectly feed them! I know that, thats why I will die for my Japanese fans. They are very respectful and also they don't throw you in the garbage if you lose, they respect the fighting spirit more than anything.
I would also like to thanks my sponsors: Bad Boy, Fairtex, Bigpoint.com, Affliction and Serious Pimp. I have US sponsors, US fans, now I need US fights! I want to fight in the Las Vegas K-1 show this year.
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