Soo Chul Kim: "ONE FC doesn't respect their champions ... I plan to win by KO."

[Hufusopem]

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We have been hearing that ONE FC does not seem happy about you being their champion.

ONE FC gave me an offer for a fight 2 months after becoming champion, but I was rehabbing my shoulder and was not ready. ONE FC still kept pushing me to take the fight even though I was recuperating from a serious injury. I wasn’t even out for that long, but ONE FC decided to make an interim champion. They don’t even have the time to make champions for multiple weight classes, but they had enough time to make an interim champ for a division that just had a new champion. It is really obvious that they want to push Bibiano Fernandes.

Why do you believe ONE FC is going this direction?

Singapore is not home for both of us, but ONE FC is obviously pushing Bibiano. I had a feeling it would go like this when Bibiano revealed he wanted to fight Shinya Aoki. ONE FC has no respect for their champions.

How does this play into your fight against Bibiano?

If I lose this fight, it proves to ONE FC that they were right all along. I want to show how wrong they are. I am going to finally get my respect as champion after I ruin their plans for a Bibiano vs Aoki bout.

How do you feel about constantly being the underdog?

I don’t feel annoyed or anything about being pegged the underdog. Bibiano has done so much in his career; compared to him I am just a hatchling. He was the DREAM champion when I was 15 years old. It’s almost surreal that I am fighting him. He is definitely a stronger class of opponent than I have fought so far.

What does winning this fight mean to you?

I am not fighting as much for me or ROAD FC, but I am fighting for TEAM FORCE. I want TEAM FORCE to become known as a major team in South Korea. I really want to prove how high level we are.

What advantages do you believe you have over Bibiano?

My desire to win trumps his desire to win. Mentally, I know I am stronger than him. I have more reasons to win than he does. I know he is looking at me like I am an easy opponent, but I am going to put everything I have into this fight. This is also an opportunity to see where I stack up with the elite.

What is your strategy for this fight?

The most important thing is to fight in my pace and make my opponent play my game. I think this where I am focusing the most. I realized how essential mental strength is after watching my senior Dong Hyun Kim knock out Erick Silva in Brazil. I know I have what it takes to beat Bibiano Fernandes.

READ FULL INTERVIEW HERE & REFERENCE- http://cormma.com/soo-chul-kim-one-fc-has-no-respect-for-their-champions/

 

[Kalmah]

They don’t even have the time to make champions for multiple weight classes, but they had enough time to make an interim champ for a division that just had a new champion. It is really obvious that they want to push Bibiano Fernandes.

Can't argue with that.

 

[Hufusopem]

Can't argue with that.

Some other news I'm hearing from acquaintances is that ONE FC wouldn't allow Soo Chul Kim to train at the Evolve gym and are messing around to make his schedule difficult. They also didn't give him (a champion of the org) a chance to have a public workout for the media. At the fan signing event they gave Bibiano the focal part of the stage while Kim was just sitting on a massage chair.

Basically, ONE FC is treating Kim like crap and are being very unprofessional in regards to how a major org should treat their champion.

 

[Pulgasari]

If I lose this fight, it proves to ONE FC that they were right all along. I want to show how wrong they are. I am going to finally get my respect as champion after I ruin their plans for a Bibiano vs Aoki bout.

Soo Chul Kim the asian Chris Weidman

 

[Fork]

god i hope he wins.

 

[PIT FIGHTER]

I like Kim and all, but eating a bowl of bibimbap will be the closest he comes to finishing Bibiano.

 

[BukHumLae]

hope soo knocks bibi da fukk out

 

[Haj1me]

Waar Kim!

 

[Broad Blade]

The Koreans have been on fire lately, and Kim bulked up big time... First time I'm interested in seeing his fight...

 

[FR]

I think Bibiano beats him, but it sucks that he was treated like that. An upset would really piss 'em off!

 

[JustinvR]

War kim!!

 

[Deleted member 363827]

It would be hilarious if he spoils one fc + evolve's plan again.
Won't happen though...Bibiano via grinding.

 

[refugee]

thats the treatment u get for knocking out evolve boy...

 

[metalkick]

It's really disappointing how ONE FC is treating its champion Kim. No matter what, KIM is the champion thus he has right to get treated like one. The worst thing you can ever do to a fighter is to reject from workout before the competition. Come on, ONE FC. Kim is your champion!!! I totally give up my respect for this organization.

 

[Mikedh]

He was a sacrificial lamb to get the title on an Evolve fighter before Bibi got a chance to fight for it. I guess they resent him for pulling off the upset.