Soa “The Hulk” Palelei was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about his last bout with Sean McCorke, a possible UFC return, fighting in Ireland, the Andrei Arlowski debacle at ONE FC, KFC and more
SevereMMA: You are currently on an 8 fight winning streak since losing to Daniel Cormier back in 2010, with all finishes by TKOs from punches and all but one in the first round, are you doing anything differently since the Cormier loss?
Most definitely, not only am I training harder physically but also mentally; you need to be mentally ready when you go into fights with no doubts whatsoever. I’ve grown as a fighter since then and when I lost I told myself that I never wanted to feel like that ever again.
It’s a terrible feeling and something I don’t want to ever go through again. But its made me a better fighter. My training is on another level, I’m 100% dedicated to being the best fighter I can possibly be and what I’m doing is working as you can see with now a 8 fight winning streak.
SevereMMA: You are looking to get back into the UFC, you fought Eddie Sanchez back at UFC 79 in 2007 and lost via TKO in the 3rd. After that loss, what did you do, if anything, to improve your training? It seems like you have become a much more well rounded fighter since then?
That was a hard time for me, and something that I would call a nightmare but the thing about nightmares is you wake up. That’s exactly what I did there were a lot of factors that went into that loss, I had to change as a fighter and its still happening like I said before I’ve become a better fighter but I’m still learning each and every day, there’s so much to learn and I’m like a sponge I know a lot, yet I want to know more, this makes me be a better fighter.
I have a great team that I work with and we all put in as much hard work as the other does. Our formula is working and were very happy with the outcome.
SevereMMA: You recently fought and made light work of UFC veteran Sean McCorkle, who holds a kimura victory over your friend Mark Hunt, were you worried about his submission game? Talk to us about this fight.
My team and I were very happy with this win, as anyone would be when you win; we trained hard as we do for every fight. I have my game plan and it was executed to a T on this fight, I know that Sean and his team were working mainly on the take down, but I don’t let anything get in the way of my game plan I go in there and I stick with it.
We drill everyday and I also visualize the fight for 20 minutes, I go through worst case scenarios and how I can get out of them, so going into the cage or ring its like I’ve already been there done that, the fight is the easy part the hard work is done in training and also I just wanted to get outta there so I could go grab my bucket of KFC lol.
SevereMMA: You were meant to face Andrei Arlowski at ONE FC back in August, only for the bout to fall through due to length of contract issues, could you elaberate on this for us please?
This was unfortunate as I was looking forward to this match more so than my other fights, Arlovski is a great fighter and I wanted to be tested against him, also the opportunity to fight for OneFC. We had spoken about the terms sent all the required documentation through an where just waiting for the reply with the official contract to be send over.
With all the hype of the fight from the second OneFC released the news my team sent out a twitter bomb to all my followers and we actually trended number 1 world wide with the news of the bout and our picture trended 2 world wide which was cool, people were obviously talking about the match up and someone did a interview with Dana White as he was here for the UFC TUFF smashes filming in Sydney when asked about me and this fight Dana replied should he win the fight he might just be in Joe Silva’s radar.
That’s all he said, then my team received a call saying that they wanted me to sign a 5 fight deal with them, being that my goal has been to go back to the UFC I wanted to continue as a free agent as I don’t want to miss out on the opportunity should it arise.
We tried for a shorter fight deal but OneFC wanted 5 fights and the time frame wasn’t set so it could be 5 fights one fight a year or whatever suited them best so I had to decline I couldn’t lock myself in, in case I did get an offer from UFC, it was a tough decision to make but the one I chose to go with and I still stand by it.
SevereMMA: UFC veteran Neil Wain currently fights with Irish promotion Cage Contender and is their heavyweight champion, would you be interested in fighting Wain in Ireland, if given the opportunity?
As long as I’m able to fight as a free agent I’m happy to fight where ever there’s a spot for me, I want to keep fighting and keep active, I have such amazing fans who have been there and supported me and I want to give back to them by fighting and keeping active.
Being able to fight in Ireland would be pretty cool, but it has to be worth the trip as I’m so busy with other work. But I’m always open for offers.
SevereMMA: Do you think it’s a case of needing to keep fighting and winning regularly to get back into the UFC, or is it more important to pick and choose and get quality big name?
I’d say it’s a bit of both, I’ve fought great fighters, I’m not one to down play any of my opponents. We are all here for a reason and regardless of them losing which hey is great for me. We all put in the hard work into training and entertaining the crowd we do our job and at the end of the day were stepping into a cage and doing business.
UFC is the big one and yes id love to have another shot at it to show them and everyone else who the real Hulk is and that he’s here to stay.
SevereMMA: You fought at Super Heavyweight against Sean McCorkle, if the UFC came calling tomorrow, asking you to fight next weekend, could you comfortably make the cut to 265lbs?
You bet I can, I now know exactly how to cut weight, I cut 17kgs for one of my CFC fights and I won, we fought at super heavy weight because that was what was requested. Cutting weight isn’t and issue I may like my KFC but when it comes to game time I will be weighing in at the weight required.
SevereMMA: You have a huge following in Australia, were you disappointed not to get the call for the Ultimate Fighter finale in Australia last week?
I’m humbled by all the fans and their comments each day whether it be twitter or Facebook I’m always messages from them, things come to those who wait and when it happens it happens, regardless “The Hulk” will keep fighting and you’ll also be seeing a whole lot more of “The Hulk” we have a major year next year and I look forward to what we have secure and to what may happen. Who knows I might be eating my bucket of KFC and get the call LOL.
SevereMMA: Is there anyone you would like to thank?
Most definitely. First I’d like to thank you for this opportunity. My sponsors, MackBoots, Southern Crossfit, Limousine Excursions, Hulk MMA, HOTMetal Design, and GOBsmacked mouth guards, My TEAM HULK.
Lastly but not least my fans and family, you have stood by me with all that I have done and I thank you all for that. #OneLove Soa “The Hulk”
Be sure to join The Hulks legion of fans on Twitter – @SoaTheHulk
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