Tamura and Sakuraba Post Fight Interviews
written by Monty DiPietro

The both of them talk about their fight, their bouts in the past and what they expect from the future.

Kiyoshi Tamura (Winner)

Your thoughts about the fight?
Kiyoshi Tamura: Looking at the whole fight, I don't think the fans could enjoy the fight, but for me personally it was a good fight. We both weren't able to end the fight with a decisive victory. I hope we can meet up again.

Kiyoshi Tamura

Kiyoshi Tamura

Do you think this fight would have gone differently five or ten years ago?
I'm not sure how to answer that.

Were you surprised that Sakuraba went for a jiu-jutsu strategy instead of a punching game?
He's really good at taking a position. It's not really jiu-jitsu, but controlling the center of gravity of your opponent. I had to work within that and tried to get in as much damage as possible. He's really good at controlling his opponent so I was focused on not being in the bottom position.

What were you feeling during the fight?
Before the fight I had several different feelings. I thought about all the different ways it could go and through the media we both talked about what kind of fight we'd like to have. But when it came to fight night all I felt was that it was do or die. My second, Tajima, said something which I can't repeat, but it gave me strength to fight.

And what did you think about the finish?
I wish I could have relaxed more.

Relaxed more?
I was quite stiff in my approach to the fight. Because I was in the main event I felt pressure to have a really great fight. That pressure caused me to stiffen up.

You've fought him before. Why do you think the fight went the distance this time?
The past is the past. What happened happened.

You controlled the entire match except for when you were in the bottom position. What were you thinking when that happened?
I wasn't really worried at that time. I was listening to my corner. They had my back.

Kazushi Sakuraba

Your thoughts about the fight?
Kazushi Sakuraba: I'd like to have done much more. If I'm going to lose, I'd rather have to tap out or be knocked out like with the Manhoef fight.

Between the first and second round you were on the mat for a long while. Were you tired or was that just being dramatic?
I took a lot of punishment from Tamura. I was just tired (laughs).

Were you surprised that you were getting hit so hard on the ground.
That is what the fight is about. Don't expect any deeper answer from me than that.

How's your condition?
(Matter of factly) It's fine.

Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Kiyoshi Tamura, Dynamite 2008

Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Kiyoshi Tamura, Dynamite 2008

Has your opinion of Tamura changed after this fight?
Nope.

You said that your horoscope isn't good for 2009. Are you worried?
Well the last few fights weren't that great so I hope to train hard and have even better fights next year.

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