Re-introducing Cheick Kongo

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By Thomas Gerbasi

To most UFC fans, Cheick Kongo remains a mystery. Despite seven Octagon wins (including three in a row), many still don’t feel like they know the man who may be next in line for a shot at the heavyweight title should he get by Cain Velasquez this Saturday night at UFC 99. So when asked whether he’s reached the point where he can do for the mixed martial arts scene in France what his teammate Michael Bisping has done for the UK, he answers honestly and humbly.

“I don’t think I am a “star”, I am not that type of person,” said Kongo. “But to be recognized and have people like you is a good thing, a great vibe. I am friends with Michael Bisping and he has great support in England and people say France is becoming like that for me. So if I can help MMA in France I am happy to. It is a great pleasure to have French people supporting me.”

Slowly but surely, Kongo is starting to break out, acclaim-wise, and not only in Europe, but in North America, where he has fought his last four bouts. That’s not surprising, given his improving all-around game and the already solid striking attack that has seen him take out Dan Evensen, Mostapha Al Turk, and Antoni Hardonk in successive matches. But to some, simply performing in the Octagon isn’t enough to make you a star. People need to see you in a different light, whether it’s as a soundbyte machine, an out of the ring comedian, or as a scowling weapon of destruction. Kongo has started to gain new fans thanks to the pranks he’s pulled on Wolfslair teammate and UFC lightweight prospect Paul Kelly, one of which found its way to youtube and UFC President Dana White’s video blog.

“It was a joke, because he pulled a bad joke on me first,” explains Kongo of the leg kick heard ‘round the MMA world. “We were eating at a restaurant before my fight at UFC 92 in Las Vegas at Christmas and he came behind me and pours water all over me, then he grabbed the salt and poured all the salt on my head and clothes while I was wet. He did this in front of 100 people in a nice restaurant in Las Vegas. He is naughty so I had to get him back, to teach him a lesson like a naughty boy needs. When he was walking in the mall I gave him a good dead-leg to walk on. It was a nice kick, very funny. I am happy it is on YouTube for people to laugh at. Of course, Paul now says he is getting me back. He has tried to kick me in the leg many times but I don’t really feel it and it upsets him. He says he’s bringing a baseball bat to Germany to hit me in the leg after our fights. We will see.”

The pranks show another side to Kongo, one which doesn’t come out in the Octagon, where he’s all business. And despite his back and forth with Kelly, when the chips are down, both have each other’s back.

“He is like my family,” said Kongo of ‘Tellys’, who will take on Rolando Delgado on the same UFC 99 card this weekend. “Actually, I consider him family. Paul is my family.”

Since working with the Wolfslair, home to Bisping, Kelly, and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Kongo has become a more dangerous fighter, with his ground game improving with each fight. He’ll need it to be on point against young gun Velasquez, a former All-American wrestler. Kongo is confident of victory on Saturday, so confident that he accepted the fight on short notice when Velasquez’ original foe, Heath Herring, pulled out of the bout. And even though he hasn’t had a full training camp, he will be ready on fight night.

“I only had three weeks to prepare but that is okay,” he said. “I am always in shape, always. I go the gym two times a day, every day, even if I do not have a fight. When in training I am doing eight hours a day split into four sessions. I am a fighter and I was ready to fight. The only thing is we haven’t much time for strategy, but neither has he because he was supposed to fight Heath Herring. Whoever wins, wins because he is the best fighter on the night. That will be the only reason.”

And like many pundits, Kongo believes that Velasquez – with only five pro fights, including three in the UFC – just isn’t ready for a man with a 24-4-1 record that has the names Cro Cop, Herring, and Hardonk on it.

“He is a respectful fighter, but it is gonna be tough for him to fight me at this stage of his career,” said Kongo. “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 worried. If I was his manager I wouldn’t want my fighter to fight someone like me so soon.”

Especially when you consider that the 34-year old Paris native has been down this road before, in a situation where one more win could be the one that earns him a title shot. The first time Kongo stood here was in March of 2008, but he lost a three round split decision to Herring. He knows he can’t let this opportunity slip through his hands. Not again.

“Maybe I am going to get a shot after this fight,” he said. “I hope to hear something good after I win this fight. But 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. I am more confident than ever. I am doing things in my fights that I have done in the gym (for a while) and am getting better. I think I will be UFC Heavyweight Champion, yes.”

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