Taj al Din defeats AJ Hearts via TKO @ SPFT 129

Fighter profile of Taj al Din by Chris Karter

RP: Huge win for you tonight! Congrats. How do you feel coming off your KOTN victory over AJ Hearts?

Taj: Thank you, but I am very disappointed with my performance.

RP: I wasn't expecting that reply, why do you feel that way? The crowd and the owners really enjoyed the show tonight.

Taj: I had his back early in the first round but I couldn't secure the submission. I was full of energy but I couldn't lock it in. This is something we will need to work on and improve. Eddie Bravo seen some errors in my technique and we will need to focus on it and perfect it. At this stage of the game, this point in my career, there shouldn't be any holes or weaknesses in my game.

RP: Do you contribute it to your lack of submission ability or Hearts submission defense?

Taj: Both.

RP: Hearts has only been submitted 1 time in his entire career, and that was to the greatest submission specialist of all time, Smokudju Womba. I wouldn't hang my head on that.

Taj: Womba locked in a rear naked choke. I had the same opportunity. I should of succeeded, but I did not. I won't beat myself up over it, I will work on it and improve, and learn from this. I am happy with the victory, and honored to compete on the biggest stages of MMA.

RP: The first two rounds weren't even close. You had his back in the first, you busted him open, and you finally rocked him in the 3rd round. At what point did you realize you had him hurt and were moving in for the kill?

Taj: I knew after I hit him with that straight right mid way through the 3rd round, that it was on like Donkey Kong. Shortly after I came with a 1-2 and finished it off with an uppercut. Normally I would of let him up, but pounced on him. I didn't want to make the same mistake as Moses Diggs.

RP: It must feel good for your manager to avenge those two losses by your team mates.

Taj: I am sure he is happy with the result. I would be lying if I said that I was fighting for their revenge though, I came in here to handle business and perform to the best of my ability. I held no animosity towards Hearts for his wins over Diggs and Leonidas.

RP: What's next for you now that you hold the SPFT and Ascension titles?

Taj: Defending the titles. Not sure which one I will defend first, but I plan on getting back in the cage as soon as possible.

RP: Well that's all the time we have, I look forward to seeing you fight again in the future. Good luck, any last words?

Taj: I would like to thank my sparring partners and my coaches; Bas Rutten, Mike Tyson, Fidel Puno, Eddie Bravo, Tor Nansen, Lance St Pierre, and any others that helped my prepare for this fight. Thank you.

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