On 26 September, KOK returns to the Siemens Arena in Vilnius, Lithuania for the KOK Classic 3. The promotion is planning a big show for its return to the arena, home to some of Europe’s biggest fighting events, with an 18-bout fight card featuring Dream Boxing and MMA Bushido title fights.
Making his ring return at next weekend’s event is one of Lithuania’s top young kickboxing prospects, Matas Pultarazinskas. Fighting out of the Titanas Gym in Kaunas, the 19-year-old showed he’s a fighter to keep an eye on last year with impressive wins against Finland’s Sami Leino and Mika Tahitu of Holland.
Pultarazinskas faces Eduard Misins of Latvia in his first fight since suffering an injury last year. The injury prevented Pultarazinskas from facing rival prospect Dovydas Rimkus at the KOK 20th Anniversary Event last November.
We caught up with Pultarazinskas to discuss his injury, the upcoming bout with Misins, and his thoughts on facing Rimkus, among other topics.
Kickboxing Z would like to thank KOK for arranging the interview.
1. Thank you for taking the time for an interview. How is everything going in training camp?
Training camp is going great, but it was hard for me to sink back into sports. I partied the whole summer, so I’m still on holiday mood but I believe I can still score a KO in my fight while not being in my best form.
2. Next Saturday, on 26 September, you’ll be facing Eduard Misins of Latvia at the KOK Classic 3 in Vilnius, Lithuania. What are your thoughts on the fight?
I don’t know much about him but I don’t really care. I’m here to show a good fight for my fans and knock him out.
3. Last year, KOK fans saw you in action at the events in Finland and Kaunas, Lithuania. I understand you suffered an injury and couldn’t fight at the 20th anniversary event last November. Tell us about the injury and the recovery process.
I suffered my injury in the European Muay Thai Championships, and doctors didn’t let me fight and train. There is not much to say. Of course, I was not happy but in this sport there are a lot of injuries, and we have to deal with them and come back stronger than ever. Now, I am fully ready to fight. There are no injuries.
4. You were supposed to face Dovydas Rimkus last November, another top young fighter from Lithuania. If you are successful against Misins, is that the fight you are looking for next?
This fight is going to be the biggest fight in history. Its bigger than Mayweather vs McGregor fight. So, we are going to fight no matter what.
Fans want it, we want it. It’s a done deal. Fight against me for Rimkus is probably going to be the last fight for him. I will end his career. First, I have to deal with this guy from Latvia.
5. Rimkus previously referred to you as a “peasant” in interviews. Does trash talk from an opponent give you extra motivation for a fight?
After the fight, he will eat his own words. I’m always motivated. Words don’t affect me. But I cannot lie, hitting his head will be very satisfying.
6. One of your biggest victories came last year when you defeated Mika Tahitu, a veteran of over 50 fights who trains at Mike’s Gym in Holland. You knocked him down with a counter left hook and scored another eight count but couldn’t finish him. Were you surprised he took so many blows?
I didn’t want to finish him, I wanted him to suffer for all 3 rounds. If I wanted to finish, I could have.
7. You’ve also competed in Mixed Martial Arts. Do you prefer kickboxing or MMA?
I have competed in Muay Thai but never in MMA. Of course, I prefer kickboxing. It is a super fun sport and I recommend it for everyone.
8. You’re already a professional fighter at 19 years of age. How did you get started in the martial arts?
It is in my blood. I started karate when I was a little kid, and when I was 14 I came to kickboxing and Muay Thai. I have an amazing team, which helps to improve and win against my opponents.
9. When your fighting career is finished, what would you like to have accomplished?
I want to be GOAT In kickboxing and be a champion in three different weight categories in KOK.
10. That’s all the questions I have. Thank you for the interview. Is there anything else you’d like to say or anyone you’d like to thank?
I want to say the biggest thanks to my fans, it is super important to me. I see no point in fighting in arenas without fans. The best feeling is to hear people shouting and supporting me during the fight, during tough moments. I am really looking forward to the upcoming event and showing some of the best highlights.
Source- https://kickboxingz.com/matas-pultarazinskas-here-to-show-a-good-fight-interview
