Read the full interview

What was your thought when you were offered a chance to compete in the tournament for season 4?
I was very excited.  Bellator is an very good up and coming organization.  It's fairly big now.  They have a good name for themselves.  To be able to fight for a main promotion is very exciting.  It was kind of my goal from the start.  I wanted to be on a big time card and fight the best fighters and I am happy to do that with Bellator.  Hopefully I can with the tournament and get a title shot.

Any particular opponent that you want to face first in the tournament?
You know I know a few of the fighters and seen a couple of their fights.  Maybe half I don't really know.  There really isn't anyone I want to face first.  Whoever they match me up with is fine.  I am going to take it one fight at a time.  Those guys are all tough and I have to get the wins some how.  First, second or third round.

What about the tournament format do you like the most?
I am used to the format because of my career in Judo.  It is not something I am unfamiliar with.  If anything I will have an advantage over some of the guys even though most have fought previously in the tournament.  I'm just ready to go.  I started my training camp a couple weeks ago.  I don't have an official date yet, but I know it will be sometime in March.

The current champion Ben Askren had a very dominant style through out the tournament last year, how do you think you match up with him?
Obviously I wouldn't want to make it a wrestling match or a grappling match.  Even though I have a grappling background it is different than his.  Depending on where the fight is, obviously standing I have the advantage.  On the ground I think I would do better than other guys he has fought due to my grappling background.  Hopefully one day I will get the chance to fight him and see how that goes.

I loved this interview with Rick Hawn.  He talked about his judo background and how he doesn't even think about being undefeated.