Exclusive With KOTC Middleweight Champion Brandon Hunt

We caught up with Detroit Police officer and professional Mixed Martial Artist Brandon Hunt as he gets set to defend his King of The Cage Middleweight title this Saturday. Hunt talked to us about his time working with James Lee's Mash Fight Team, his aspirations as a KOTC Champion, as well as the significance of being a police officer fighting on September 11th. Hunt has been training for over a decade and has heavy hands, so if you want to see one of Michigan's own hold it down in the cage come see Brandon defend his belt this Saturday at the Royal Oak Music Theater.

The fight poster for KOTC "Civil War II" is after the jump.

Exclusive: King Mo Talks Injury, EA MMA, Rampage Jackson, and More!

We recently caught up with "King" Mo Lawal on his visit to Michigan for a seminar and MMA expo in the Detroit area. Mo talked to us about his recent, and only, loss to Feijao and how his injury is coming along. We also touched base on the new EA MMA game scheduled for release in October as well as one of Mo's favorite people Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

Exclusive: Benji Radach Eyes Return Late This Year, A Reality TV Show, and More

Knockout artist Benji "Razor" Radach has had a long history of exciting fights and a go hard or go home style that has always produced fan friendly contests. Radach unfortunately has also had a long history of injuries that have kept him sidelined for extended periods of time. Benji talks to us about his most recent set of injuries that have kept him out of the ring for over a year now. Radach expects to be back in action later this year in November or December to finish the last fight on his Strikeforce contract and see where he lands from there. Benji also talks to us about a reality show that he just finished the pilot for, his picks for the Brock vs. Carwin fight, the Strikeforce Middleweight division, and more.

DUMB OUT EXCLUSIVE: R.A. THE RUGGED MAN

R.A. the Rugged Man is one of Hip-Hop's most skilled and underrated artists of his era just like Charles Burley was in his day. The guy knows his boxing history, in fact he is more knowledgeable then most so-called boxing writers. His love for the sweet science came from his Father who passed it down to him. In this interview he talks about many topics including, Shane Mosley VS. Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao VS. Joshua Clottey, The Super 6 Classic, Legendary Classics vol. 1. This man took time to do an interview with us before he left the country to tour, and after his father died. Thanks R.A

Exclusive: Gym Profile/Interview with Amir Killah of Lightning Kicks

Amir Killah is the owner and head trainer of Lightning Kicks Gym in Kalamazoo, MI. Amir started out in the traditional martial arts and eventually transitioned to MMA as the sport exploded on to the scene. Killah is a training partner of Jeremy Horn and also makes trips down to Matt Hughes and Robbie Lawlor's Hit Squad Gym to train there as well. Amir took some time to talk about his gym, his students, and the events in Kalamazoo. Keep an eye out for Amir as he set to be more active in his professional fighting career now that MMA is officially sanctioned in Michigan.

Exclusive: Live Interview With Jeremy Horn

We recently caught up with Jeremy "Gumby" Horn at Lightning Kicks Gym in Kalamazoo, MI where he was to help promote a local show with friend and training partner Amir Killah. Jeremy has fought some of the best names in the sport and is constantly looking for fights because he loves the sport and the competition. Horn is coming off of his 84th recorded win on January 16th and he took some time while in town to talk to Dumb-Out.net about his plans in the fight game, his gym, and what he thinks of the middleweight division in MMA.

Exclusive: Brad Blackburn Talks Sadollah Loss

"Bad" Brad Blackburn is a veteran of the sport of MMA and has been around for a long time, but to a lot of casual UFC fans the Amir Sadollah fight may have been the first time they have seen Blackburn. That does not sit well with Brad, as he believes that it was not him in the cage against the Ultimate Fighter winner. Blackburn does not want to make excuses or disrespect his opponent, but he knows that he could have showed tons more than his performance against Sadollah suggests. Blackburn has only 1% body fat when he is fighting at welterweight and usually that is not a problem for the heavy handed vet, but he usually re-hydrates with the aid of IVs and did not do that this time around. That was a problem for Blackburn come fight time, as he was unable to even sweat he was so dehydrated from the weight cut. Brad insists that the recent surgery or his time away had anything to do with the loss to Amir. He came into the fight in the best shape of his life, but made the mistake of deviating from his normal weight cutting ritual and he is positive that it cost him the fight. Listen to the interview in it's entirety, the first since his loss to Amir, and be sure to check for Brad in the future as he still has a bright future ahead in the UFC. 

EXCLUSIVE: ALLAN GOES INTERVIEW

Allan Goes, a pioneer of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, is hard at work training with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for his upcoming fight with Cain Velasquez but took time out of his schedule to talk to Dumb-Out.net in this exclusive interview. Goes is a veteran MMA fighter with 17 pro fights on his record dating back to 1995, he fought for the honor and advancement of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and to spread the art across the globe. Allan talks to us about the evolution of Jiu Jitsu under the tutelage of Master Carlson Gracie and how he came to be a Black Belt under the legend. Goes talks in great depth about how Jiu Jitsu changed his life and how Carlson took him in as a poor youth and taught him the art at a time when it was relegated to the Gracie family and the upper class of Rio de Janeiro.

Exclusive: Live Interview with "King" David Estrada

King David Estrada has built his career beating opponents he was supposed to lose to and kept coming up when people thought he couldn't. David has never ducked an opponent as you can tell from his tremendously stacked record and he looks to keep working towards a shot at cracking the top ten in his division.  In this Dumb-Out.net exclusive interview with Welterweight contender David Estrada talks about his newly acquired management guiding his next steps, his beef with Luis Carlos Abregu who he was robbed against in a split decision loss, and gives his thoughts on the upcoming fight between Shane Mosley and Andre Berto; both of whom he has faced in the ring. Check the interview and be sure to keep an eye out for this heavy hitter in the future as he just put away his last opponent in six rounds and plans to fight again in February.

Exclusive: Jake Shields Talks Title Victory, Cung Le, and More!

In this exclusive interview with Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields we discuss his title victory over highly regarded Jason "Mayhem" Miller and the backlash that came from the fans after the fight. Shields talks about his aspirations in the Middleweight and Welterweight divisions of Strikeforce as well as his desire to fight the UFC's 170lb king Georges Saint Pierre. Shields is a genuine dude who is one of the best submission fighters on the planet. Check out dumb-out.net's interview with Jake Shields by Nick Thomas on The Knockout Blow.

DumbOut Exclusive With Female Boxer Becky Garcia

Up and coming female boxer Becky "La Guerrera" Garcia (5-1-0) talks to dumb-out.net about training at the Wildcard gym, how she is rebounding from her first professional loss, and her plans for the future in the Flyweight and Junior Flyweight divisions. Becky is an AZ native now living in the LA area and working her way up the ladder in the female boxing circuit. She is an exciting prospect so keep an eye out for her and listen to our conversation on The Knockout Blow!

You can find out more about Becky at the following sites:
Her Myspace
Becky on Boxrec
Becky Garcia Wiki

Dumb-Out Exclusive with Kassim "The Dream" Ouma

(The trailer for Kassim The Dream)

For most of us we will never know the life of a soldier in combat, for Kassim Ouma he knew the life of combat before he knew much of anything else. In war-torn Uganda Kassim was forced into the role of child soldier when he should have been just another kid in grade school. To Kassim Ouma Boxing is just that, Boxing. When he hears the comparisons to war and combat used to describe the fight game he knows from first hand experience that this is nothing like the real thing. We caught up Kassim to discuss the movie about his life which will be out on DVD soon. He also discussed where his career is headed and what to expect from him in the near future. One of the most interesting life stories in Boxing shares his thoughts with us here in this exclusive.

Kassim Ouma Interview by dumb-out

DUMB OUT EXCLUSIVE WITH ANTHONY DIRRELL

This week we went to Flint Michigan to hang out with up and coming boxing sensation Anthony Dirrell. He told us about getting into boxing in Flint, and boxing his brother Andre back in the day. After hanging with this young star I can see that like his brother a world title shot is in his future. He spoke on his heroic bout with cancer, his family and his faith in God. If you liked watching his brother Andre box in the Super six Tournament then you will like Anthony. Andrea Dirrell might be more popular right now and he may have more speed but Anthony has more power and one day soon everyone will know his name.

DUMB OUT EXCLUSIVE: CORNELIUS K-9 BUNDRAGE ON THE KNOCKOUT BLOW

We caught up with K-9 just before he was about to put in some work at the world famous Kronk gym in Detroit Michigan. K-9 talks about his big victory against Kassim Ouma and other career defining moments including his thoughts on The Contender series. Growing up in the city of Detroit, boxing and fighting on the street and how he got into boxing. He talked about boxing and MMA and how they are both crooked and tough sports. K-9 also chatted with us about who he wants to fight and what he will do when he wins the championship. It was a great and fun interview and we at Dumb-Out know you will enjoy it.

K-9 Bundrage Interview by dumb-out


Nick Thomas deathwish72@gmail.com

Exclusive: Edison "Pantera" Miranda Talks Title Fight and More!

(Fan Favorite Edison Miranda Talks to Dumb-out.net)

We had the chance to catch up with standout Middleweight contender Edison "Pantera" Miranda before his fight tonight against Francisco Sierra for the NABO Interim Super Middleweight Title.  Pantera talks to us about his new trainer, who he would like to face should he beat Sierra, and more.

Jay: I wanted to start out by thanking you for doing the interview Edison.

Miranda: No problem, thank you.

Jay:  How did the Nickname "Pantera" come about?


Miranda: My managers actually gave me that name when I started fighting professionally. It is an animal that is very precise in it's attacks and that is why they chose that name.

Jay: Do you think your hard work as a youth coming up in the streets makes you a better Boxer and the person that you are today?

Miranda: That was a gift that God gave me, so I'm going to fight as long as I can and as far as I can to reach my goals.

Jay: You are fighting for the NABO title today, are you excited to show the boxing world another highlight reel knockout? Is that the plan going into this fight?

Miranda: Whatever happens happens.  I'm going forward with what Joe Goosen has taught me in the gym, and if the knockout comes, it comes.  I'm just going to go in there and do my work.

Jay: What has Jay Goosen taught you, and has it changed your style at all?

Miranda: I feel more comfortable throwing my punches, and I'm more precise with them. Overall I feel confident with everything that I've been doing with Joe. I'm very comfortable with Joe. Before I started working with Joe I was just coming forward and forward, and just attacking with no plan. No that I am working with Joe I have a plan on how to throw punches more comfortably and more relaxed. I'm not as wild as I used to be before.

Jay: I know you're not looking past your opponent tonight, but who would you like to fight next should you win?

Miranda: If I could get the opportunity to fight him again, I would love to fight Arthur Abraham. In my mind I won the first fight, he beat me the second time, so I feel as though we're 1-1.  Now that I am in tip-top shape I would fight better than I did before.

Jay: Speaking of Abraham, do you have him coming out on top in the Super Six tournament that is going on right now?

Miranda: In my opinion the two fighters that could win the Super Six are Andre Ward and Arthur Abraham.

Jay: Where do you see yourself in the next year?

Miranda:  This is only the fourth month that I have been training with Joe Goosen, but in a year or so I feel I will be a much much better fighter than I was before. I'm learning a lot of new things with Joe, that is something I never had before.

Jay: Going back to the Arthur Abraham fight, the second one, what exactly happened with his brother in the corner?

Miranda: I don't understand what really went on there, That is on him. i don't worry about what happens outside of the ring, I only worry about what is going on inside of it. Arthur's brother may have been hurt because of something, maybe he was upset that I broke his brother's jaw in the first fight.

Jay:  Do you have a message for your fans?

Miranda: I want the fans to know that everything I do is for them, and I try to make them happy every time.

Jay: God bless and good luck on your fight tonight.

Miranda: Thank you very much.

Exclusive: Randall "The Knock-Out King" Bailey Talks Move to 147 and More!

Dumb-Out.net Recently had the opportunity to catch up with "The Knock-Out King" Randall Bailey and discuss his move to the 147lb weight division. We also discussed who he'd like to face at 147lbs, his toughest opponent, and why he'd fight Max Kellerman if could fight anyone in the world.

Randall Bailey Interview by dumb-out

DUMBOUT EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TRAINER JEFF MAYWEATHER

1ST off we would like to thank Jeff Mayweather for the interview and 2ND congratulate him on signing to train pound for pound ranked Celestino Caballaro. Celestino is good and just got better, Juan Manuel Lopez better watch out now. Dumb Out Fight Sports had the pleasure to talk boxing with renowned trainer Jeff Mayweather. If you don't know Jeff is the Uncle of current pound for pound king Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather. The Mayweather family is one if not the most successful families in boxing history so it was great to see what Jeff had to say about the sport. Dumb Out spoke at length with Jeff Mayweather about his talented nephew Floyd. Many other topics came up including who he has trained, who he is training now and much much more. So if you like boxing sit back, relax, press play and enjoy listening to Jeff Mayweather and Dumb Out's Nick Thomas talk on The Knockout Blow.

Jeff Mayweather Interview by dumb-out

Michigan Gym Profile: Big Dog Boxing

At Big Dog Boxing Club in Port Huron, Michigan members train to compete; "this is not a health club" as Head trainer Jim Smedley puts it. Big Dog Boxing and MMA has a very decorated amateur program that instills sportsmanship and a hard work ethic into the club's young athletes. The gym also boasts a strong MMA program with some up and coming talent from the area. Check the article out and if you are in the Saint Clair County area come check them out.

Exclusive: A Conversation with Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal

(Team Thirsty, Get Dat Paper!)

Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal is one of the game's most exciting prospects to come along in some time. King Mo is coming off of a win over veteran Mark Kerr, whom he thoroughly smashed, at the last M-1 Global event in Kansas City. Mo talked to us about his favorite strip joints in our hometown of Detroit, what G.D.P. is all about, and his boy Daniel Cormier's debut win on Strikeforce challengers. What we were wondering, as you probably were as well, is what promotion we'll see Mo in next. Unfortunately he has no idea just as the rest of us, so promoters out there a message for you: Sign Mo immediately so we can get to see him do the damn thing!

Exclusive: Nine..Ten..and Out! Interviews with Emile Griffith and Ron Ross

(You may have seen the documentary of Emile's life "Ring of Fire")

This is an interview with Emile Griffith former welterweight and middleweight champ who had 112 prize fights with 85 wins, 24 losses, 2 draws. He fought everyone from Dick Tiger, Vito Antuofermo, Carlos Monzon, Nino Benvenuti, and of course the tragic trilogy with Benny Paret. If you don't know who he was as a fighter or as a man, you should read this and listen to the interview with the author Ron Ross who wrote the new book Nine...Ten....and Out! The Two Worlds of Emile Griffith. Emile is a complex man that was born on St. Thomas and his life is filled with glory, sadness, and honor. Since the interview I have read the book and it is a great read and I recommend it not only to people who like boxing but to everyone who likes to read period.


The interview was with Emile Griffith and Luis Rodrigo Griffith his adopted son who now takes care of the champ.

Nick: Whats up Luis and Emile

Emile: Hello Nick, my name is Emile Griffith former world champion welterweight, Jr. middleweight and middleweight champion.

Nick: Tell us about the nick name the champ, how did you get that?

Luis: A photographer took a picture of Emile while he was taking a shower in the locker room and Emile had the name champ wrote across his chest in soap suds and he has been called champ ever since. It is on the back page of his book if you haven't seen the photo.

Nick: That was unique

Luis: It sure was

Nick You want to tell us a little about the book and what we can expect?

Luis: Sure, of course. Its basically the story of Emile's life inside and outside the ring. The book mentions about the rubber match with Benny "Kid" Paret and speaks about how it Benny Paret insulted him by calling him a maricon or in English a faggot, its much more than that. Its a book about a trilogy, a lot of feelings, emotion caring such a heavy burden all through his life with Benny's death. The good times and the bad times all wrapped up in there. His private life, going to gay bars entering through the front door not the back door with out feeling afraid, he was very bold. He went in the front door and came out the front door, during the 60's in the height of homophobia there was no parades back then. The Stonewall riots happened in the village, Emile used to go to the Stonewall Club and it was a good thing he wasn't there during that time because he would have probably beat up by a few police.

Nick: Who was the toughest opponent?

Emile: They were all good fighters and were all tough to me. Dick Tiger.

Nick: I thought that name would come up.

Luis: Carlos Monzon

Nick: He fought 112 times do you think fighters don't fight enough?

Emile: The managers and trainers don't push em and they do what they have to do.

Luis: you fought every one Emile they don't do that today.

Nick: Do you guys still watch boxing?

Luis: we still watch boxing, we saw the Mayweather, Marquez he is a skillful fighter but he doesn't take that many risks and should fight Shane Mosley.

Nick: What is the website and the name of the book?

Luis: www.ninetenandout.com and the book is Nine.....Ten...and..Out, The Two Worlds of Emile Griffith.

Nick: Thanks and I look forward to reading the book.

The Audio from the Interview with the book's author Ron Ross is below:

Ron Ross Interview by dumb-out