Canadian Mike Kent returns to the cage for the first time this year as he faces off against fellow Canuck Nick Campbell in the co-main event of Unified 24 in Edmonton, AB. Kent (10-6) spoke to MMAOddsBreaker on an “Extra” edition of The Parting Shot Podcast and discussed a variety of topics. How he got involved in MMA “I started out just training Muay Thai, just kick boxing more or less to get into shape. From there I took a few kick boxing fights, some amateur stuff. But there just wasn’t any real community or any events on so I kind of transitioned to MMA eventually over the years.” Layoff “I just took some time away, I saw some of the last few fights [of mine]. Every time I was getting ready for a fight I’d never feel better and then come fight day I’d never perform to my ability. Everything goes perfect in the gym, no excuses, healthy, good to go. Then fight day I’d fight like crap. I just took away, did some training, spent some time in my family and got refreshed and recharged. It seemed like the right time and opportunity to get back in there.” Making his debut for Unified MMA after having fights fall apart “It’s going to be great, I think Sunny is a good promoter. Puts on lots of shows, gives Western Canada fighters a place to compete and show what they got. The other fights didn’t work out for logistical reasons and I think I was injured once. This time I will be there for sure and I’ll be ready to fight. I look forward to fighting for them, I’ve fought for a lot of organizations so it will be nice to add this one as well to my history.” Matchup with Nick Campbell “I think I matchup great with him everywhere the fight goes. I mean he’s a big strong guy, he knows how to fight. He brings some experience in the last few years, where I’ve kind of slowed down; he’s kind of picked it up a bit. I think matching skill for skill wise I beat him everywhere. We trained together in the past a little bit, so he’s a nice guy. I’m not going to go out of my way to talk any trash. I think when it comes to the day of the fight I’ll have the advantage.” Fighting at a catchweight of 225lbs “Right now I weight 225lbs, there is not going to be any major weight cut. I know Nicks a bigger guy too, he fought at 205lbs before he fought at heavyweight. It’s one of those situations where if you can meet at a weight [it’s] not going to take years off your life. I’ve made 185lbs and 170lbs a bunch of times and instead of focussing on training you’re focussing on how hungry you are. This fight I figure if he’s probably walks around 215lbs-220lb, if I’m walking around the same then If we can come to an agreement and fight at that weight then sure. A few fights down the road from now I mean I’m definitely going to get my weight back down and try to make a run at light heavyweight or middleweight. For now I think we’re a similar size, I just think what’s the point of starving yourself.” Matchup being a “must win” fight “I’ve knocked people out, I’ve submitted people, I’ve been knocked out and been submitted. I don’t really have anything left to prove here. I’m about a 10 fights away from a UFC run which is improbable. What’s the sense of doing this if I’m going to get knocked around and take losses? I don’t need the money, I work full time. At this point let’s see if I can make something happen and get out on a high note. At this point every fights a must win; if I fight like I do in the gym this fight I’ll schedule another one. If I fight like I have in my last few, then maybe you got to give the new guys their due and step aside. I’ve been around the regional circuit long enough to know that nobody is in there to do you any favours. This is definitely a must win for sure.” Watching tape on opponents “I’m actually a guy who doesn’t like to watch tape just because I don’t like thinking about it. I’m the type of guy who will always think about it and I won’t be able to sleep. My coaches watch tape and let me know of things I need to work on. For the most part, I’m pretty much good anywhere it goes. I’m not afraid to box with a boxer, wrestled with a wrestler grapple with a grappler. I can go wherever the fight goes.” How this fight ends on September 25th “I think it ends early and violently. I think it ends with either a quick submission or knockout. I know we’re both going to come out throwing. I know that he’s not a small dude and if he hits you it’s going to hurt. I think it’s a game of who implements their gameplan first and who is able to land the first few punches. I’m not going to let him get a head start on me. The whole plan is to get out there and make him pay right away.” You can follow Mike on Twitter @mike_the_titan and you can also listen to the full audio version of this interview on an “Extra” edition of The Parting Shot Podcast below (13 minutes in)
