A couple days before UFC 78 we drove out from Manhattan into the bleak overcast industrial breath of Newark New Jersey. After a quick photo shoot for MANTO clothing we sat down on the mat for a brief conversation with Akihiro Gono. What was most striking about this Japanese MMA veteran was his size. As our friend Michal mentioned, "You look much bigger on TV."

Perhaps best know to American fans for his highly stylized entrances and his highly stylized fro, Akihiro Gono is definitely a man with a sense of humor who is motivated by women, music and baseball. Although perhaps he rather would have debuted in the U.S. as a New York Yankee, "Big mouth" as he is lovingly known in his homeland is glad to be debuting in the premiere MMA show in any land right now.

This fight vs. Yuki Kondo on New Year's Eve 2006 was his last MMA fight.

FV: We are　here with Akihiro Gono. Welcome first of all to the United States for your debut.

Akihiro Gono: Arigato Guzaimas

FV: How does t feel t be making your American debut in the biggest MMA fight organization in the world?

Akihiro Gono: Actually I wanted to be a baseball player. If I could right now I would be a ball player. Actually next year I’m thinking of trying out for a professional Japanese baseball team. I feel extremely happy to be able to challenge in the major leagues. Of course the major leagues between baseball and MMA are quite different, but I believe this is the major league of MMA and I’m thrilled, I’m happy about it.

FV: I believe this is your first time fighting in the cage, the octagon. Are you nervous about making the transition?

Akihiro Gono: The Grabaka Gym is actually surrounded by the wall so for me training in the Grabaka gym is different from training in the ring to begin with. In terms of the wall, of course the wall is a bit different than the cage, but I feel I’m prepared. Also I have over forty fights experience so I’m not going to be surprised with something easily.

FV: Does it put more pressure on you, the fact that your opponent is a very your guy, only twenty years old, he’s had only ten fights so far, 10 - 0. Does that add to the pressure?

Akihiro Gono: I'm not feeling pressure. In my last fight in Pride I fought Hector Lombard, up and coming on a winning steak. I feel I'm the kind of person who could be a wall for these up and coming guys. So I feel okay. My body maybe smaller than his but I'm going to be a bigger wall for him.

Gono was a hevyweight champion at All Japan Kickboxing back in 2005.

FV: Do you feel that the change in rules, the fact that you can get elbowed to the face and you can no longer kick a grounded opponent? You come from a kickboxing background initially and also you are from Grabaka, which is grappling, wrestling, but do you believe that the change will work against you?

Akihiro Gono: Honestly I’m not going to find out until I do it, but against forty five fights and over ten years of experience I have been getting better fighters and every time I jump into something, I try to clear that obstacle every time. So fighting in the octagon I may be facing some obstacle but I’m going to overcome that, it just a way to improve throughout my career.

FV: What do you hope to achieve in the octagon, in the UFC? What is your goal?

Akihiro Gono: I want to fight in the pay per view portion of the show. And of course I want to be the main event, I want the title fight and besides the purse I want to get a share from the pay per view sales and even the gate money.

(Laughter)

FV: You're a smart businessman.

(More Laughter)

Akihiro Gono: Arigato Guzaimas,

FV: This is the first time that you are fighting at welterweight UFC 170 lbs., at PRIDE Bushido you were fighting 185 lbs. at middleweight. So do you feel more comfortable at this weight the welterweight?

Someday, Gono is hoping to bring DJ Ozma (right) to the UFC!

Akihiro Gono: (In English) Much more comfortable!
I believe my bones are not naturally really thick anyways so fighting at 83 kilos is really hard for the body. Now I feel much more comfortable at this weight class, using the steps or the stairs I feel better. Even going out on a date with a girl I can walk for a long time and I wont get tired, no problem.

FV: For you is this pretty much your natural weight?

Akihiro Gono: I'm a little bit over eighty, eighty-one kilos.

FV: So it's perfect for you. American fighters are very big, large guys. Do you think what is going to important for you in this fight is your speed your ability to move?

Akihiro Gono: Of course what you pointed out about speed makes sense, but what is most important is that no matter what the situation is going to turn into I'm going to stay calm. So as long as I can control my mind, the mental, then I should overcome that.

FV: Because you are fighting at a lighter weight, I imagine that your training might have changed a little bit as far as…before did you have the necessity to lift a lot to keep on the weight?

Akihiro Gono: First of all I run way more than I used to. Before I was at eighty-three kilos so right now when I'm at seventy-two kilos I have the exact same menu for training but I feel I can go on way more now. Even when I play weekend ball I feel sharp, that’s why I’m thinking I can do the professional test (baseball) next year.

FV: Your reflexes are getting better as you get older.

Akihiro Gono: Yes, I really feel that.

FV: For us here in the States, big fans of MMA, Pride and Pride Bushido were very important shows. How do you feel now that Pride is gone?

His GRABAKA teammate and 2006 PRIDE GP champion Kazuo Misaki (right) is one of the few top fighters in Japan that didn't make a move this year. Is he following Gono to the UFC next year?

Akihiro Gono: It's incredible that Pride is gone there is no doubt about that. But as a fighter I have no control over that situation. So right now, just because of that I have the opportunity to challenge in the major leagues, which is the best MMA organization in the world right now. So right now I'm concentrating on something that needs to be taken care of right now. But it is bad and sad that its gone.

FV: I know that right now in Japan the UFC is not being televised, and I imagined this has affected you and your colleagues.

Akihiro Gono: Between being broadcast and not broadcast there is a huge difference. For example, I get much more popular with the girls if its on TV.

(laughter)

For me to get more popular with the girls I need the UFC to be aired in Japan.

(In English) Big Problem!

(More Laughter)

FV: Is there anything you would like to say to the American fans who will be seeing you fight for the first time. Is there anything in particular that you would like to showcase for the fans here?

Akihiro Gono: The ideal is to satisfy the fans 100% with the fighting, but on top of that I would like to do a great entrance. But eventually I want to learn English very well so I can talk to Joe Rogan and entertain the fans with the talking too. So, fighting, walking and talking; those three menus in one set.

FV: What can we expect from the entrance?

Akihiro Gono: This time for the walk in I'm only by myself. I'm going to use a little different music but I'm gonna do the same costume and stuff like that. After I win this first fight my purse will be bigger for the next fight so I’ll bring in dancers and stuff and do a big number in here.