Q:
Your first fight in over a year is going to be in New York (The Combat at the Capitale) is this going to be your first fight in overseas?

Daiguji:
No, actually, my debut was in Thailand. I was nineteen years old.

Q:
Why in Thailand?

Daiguji:
Back then I was still with Seido-kaikan so there weren’t many opportunities for fighters in lighter weight categories. Mr. Gohn, who was a trainer for Andy Hug at the time, suggested it.

Daiguji’s weapon is a strong lower body but he has KO’d many opponents with his strong hand too.

Q:
Are there any other fights overseas besides Thailand?

Daiguji:
No. This is going to be the first time.

Q:
When you heard that your “come back” fight is going to be in New York, what were your thoughts?

Daiguji:
I’ve been to New York before, just once. I always wanted to fight in America and I was just thinking about coming back into the ring and the event just happen to be at the right time. So, I decided to try.

Q:
I assume, the environment, the entire situation is going to be a little different. Do you have any concerns?

Daiguji:
Well, New York is going to be cold so I really have to dress warm. And also, this is an “away” fight so I don’t want the fight to go to a decision. I am going for a KO win.

Q:
I understand the rules are a little different from Japan – 2 minutes per round for five rounds and no elbow shots or knee shots to the face. What is your thought on that?

Daiguji:
I have no problem with 2-minute rounds and I prefer no elbow shots anyway. I have scored a knock down with a knee shot to the face before but I have never KO’d someone with it so that’s not going to be any problem.

Q:
Do you have any data on your opponent or what the place looks like?

Daiguji:
I saw a video of his (Sheenen Maceo) last fight. I got the impression that he is a little bigger than me and likes to punch. Not much defense on legs so maybe I will go for low kicks.

Q:
In America, it seems like many fighters are still struggling against kicks to the legs.

Daiguji:
Well, it’s been a year since the last fight, so I am a bit worried weather I can move well in the ring.

Q:
How is your training now?

Daiguji:
Very well. I got my motivation back. After I fought in January of last year, I thought, I don’t want to do it so I took a break but I am back now.

Q:
I heard you thought about retiring. What was the reason for loosing motivation?

Daiguji:
I was thinking, “I am going to quit if I loose again” way before the last fight. I was putting that much feeling into each fight, you know. But I was also thinking, “How long can I keep this motivation?” too.

Q:
In your last fight, you sustained a cut from your opponent’s elbow shot and lost the fight by TKO. In terms of your feelings, is there a big difference between retiring after a win and retiring after a loss?

Daiguji:
When I took a break last year, this might be just me, but I think it includes other fighters, regardless of a win or loss; there isn’t any “OK this is it” kind of clear ending for fighters. But then I want to fight again so I don’t know how long this is going to last but I decided its better to do whatever you want to do when you want to do it.

Q:
You were thinking about what you were going to do when you lost way before the last fight?

Daiguji:
When I lost to Otsuki in the All Japan lightweight tournament (2003), I started to think about that.

Q:
Were you working out since your last fight?

Daiguj:
I was working out, training with Masato. I like to work out in general. Even after retirement, I think I would be working out. But in terms of serious training for the fight, I began at the end of last year when my fight was confirmed.

Q:
Before New Year’s Eve you served as Masato’s sparring partner and became “virtual – KID Yamamoto.”

Daiguji:
Yeah but I found out a lot by fighting southpaw.

Q:
So how do you feel now you are back into serious training?

Daiguji:
It’s really not about the training right now. I realized more by stepping aside and not being a fighter.

Susumu Daiguji and 2003 K-1 MAX world champion Masato (right) are very close, like brothers.

Q:
Which is?

Daiguji:
Well, for example, I think I was deciding too much by myself. Thinking about “I am gonna quit if I loose again?” I decided on my own that I was shifting in the wrong direction. But you know, I definitely think there are a lot of possibilities for a challenge. I was just deciding that ‘I am no good’, you know, I was the one making myself no good. I realized everything is really up to me.

Q:
Were you inspired by some book music or movies?

Daiguji:
When I took a break, I read this book by a author named James Allen. I believe this book sold well last year. Something like what I just said was in this book, for example, at the work place, instead of complaining about how your staff is no good, or blaming the staff, if you are an excellent superior you should be able to change that. Everyone likes to blame someone else but in reality, everything is really up to us. The environment around you is actually created by yourself, a type of philosophy.

Q:
Anything else inspire you?

Daiguji:
A lot. Masato’s fight or other fighters… Not only fights, I am always inspired by many things.

Q:
Masato also talks about retirement. How does Masato’s philosophy affect you?

Daiguji:
Well, the way he puts pressure on himself. But you know, I can say one thing. Masato is doing something that only he can do and I am not he, I am me. So the most important thing for me to do is something only I can do. Just like I said earlier, everything is really up to me.

Q:
Yes it depends on a person too. Position, the way you have grown up, etc. Now, after the fight in New York, what is your plan?

Daiguji:
If I don’t feel that I want to fight then I won’t fight, you know, I just think I should fight when I really want to fight. But this year, I am thinking about fighting a lot. Not thinking too deeply about it.

Q:
Taking a year off gave cleared your head?

Daiguji:
Yes. I no longer think about unsolicited. I am just going to try hard. (Laugh)

Q:
It’s simple, right? (Laugh)

Daiguji:
Yes, I am only thinking about trying hard. (Laugh) That’s it. It’s nothing so dramatic. I am going to do it because I want to.

Q:
You want to fight a lot this year and there are Wolf Revolution events and also there is the IKUSA GP (60 kg / 132.3 lbs & under). Are you interested in this GP?

Daiguji:
Yeah, if I am allowed to be in the tournament, then I would like to try.

Q:
Any particular opponent you are looking for?

The fight against Shennen Maceo (Team Tiger Schulman) is going to be a WKA International title bout.

Daiguji:
For now, I just want to make a come back and I just want to clear things one by one. At this point, I can’t think of a specific opponent.

Q:
How much do you weight now?

Daiguji:
I’m a little bigger, 60 or 61 kilos right now.

Q:
In the tournament at All Japan Kickboxing, honestly, I thought you were a bit too light.

Daiguji:
My lower body is really thick. The trunks hide my thighs so I look smaller than the others. My upper body strength is not necessary the strongest. My lower body, strong step inside is my weapon.

Q:
You knew about your strengths before?

Daiguji:
Not at all, I realized it while I was taking a break.

Q:
What is your goal now since you’re back?

Daiguji:
I want battles in our weight class to have big stage like K-1. In Japan, there are more fighters in my weight category than any other weight class so I think there is a possibility for gaining popularity. It would be great if we could build this stage for the next generation and I could retire with my name secured in its history.

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