Sweden’s top bantamweight Sirwan Kakai is getting close to his short-term goal of becoming Europe’s best. After his high-profile victory at Superior Challenge 7 and some training at American Top Team the Swede is plotting the rest of 2011. Let’s catch up with one of Sweden’s biggest prospects.
MMA Viking : Congratulations on the big win at Superior Challenge over top ranked James Doolan. After the fight, you said you may have had a broken nose and were also not happy about your performance. Now that you have had some time and had time to watch the fight, can you give some feedback about this impressive victory?
Kakai : It is true that I broke my nose. It is not the first time, but now in August I will go through a surgery. It was perhaps a bit hastily spoken of me that I was not happy, right after the fight. When I watched it, I was happy with my performance and happy to finish someone like James Doolan. But when I looked at it again now I can see how much I have that need improve which keeps me motivated.
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MMA Viking : You have been traveling and training. Can you tell us where you are at now, and who you are training with?
Kakai : Right now I’m back in Sweden, Gothenburg. I am doing a lot of weights right now, and drilling techniques with my mentor Assan Nije, so we are stronger and faster for the fights that await us.
MMA Viking : You didn’t make it on TUF, although you did tryout. There is an upcoming Bellator tryout in Florida, will you be trying out there?
Kakai : No, I will not. I want to go to another organization. If I win and have exciting fights everything will come. And I got people around me who will make sure that I’m there when the time is right!
MMA Viking : You are quickly climbing the ranks, and now ranked #2 in Europe by Ground and Pound. What is next? Any fights lined up?
Kakai : Yes! I have two more fights coming up this year! Nothing is official so I can unfortunately not tell who I will fight and where. I just know that this will be my year!
I want to thank my sponsors! Orcbite, MMANYTT!
UPDATE – August 12, 2011
Kakai is recovered from his nose surgery, and is getting ready for a return to the cage, although no official bouts or dates have been set for the return. “I am in the gym, doing cardio, and alot of pads right now. I will be sparring in 2 weeks. and will be at ATT with Brad the end of this month.” Kakai tells MMA Viking. The Swede will once again work with “One Punch”, as Pickett trains for Renan “Barao” do Nascimento Mota Pegado –this will be at UFC 138 in the UK. Kakai hopes to get a fight or two in before the year is out. MMA Viking looks forward to the return to the cage for one of Sweden’s best.
