2012-04-27
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Taylo Ray & Sub Zero Interview

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 I recently sat down and talked to two men who will be headlining one of the biggest events in KOTC: Hilo history. Taylo Ray and Sub Zero will be fighting for the historic KOTC: Hilo’s HW title at KOTC: Hilo Ray vs. Zero. This fight would be one of the biggest fight cards to be held and to have two future Hall Of Famers battling for the KOTC: Hilo’s HW title.

I meet both Taylo Ray and Sub Zero at the BJ Penn Gyms (Penn Training & Fitness)in Hilo,HI to see the future of the sport training for their fights at a local amateur MMA event happening soon. So let’s start this very interesting interview start now, why don’t we.

Me: How training is going:

Zero: My training is very good, I’m focused on Conditiong.

Ray: It's been going well. The guys over at Steel Penn/Heavy Hands Gym kick ass. I've been there almost the entire time

I've been in Hilo. I feel like I'm in good shape and in good hands to carry me into the next phase of my career.

Me: what do you think of your careers so far?

Zero: this is an incognita.

Ray: Could not have went any better. The loss to Bater was hard on me but I feel I could win a rematch. I've shown that I can stand and bang as well as Submit or KO from the ground. Sub Zero has the experience edge but I doubt that will matter.

Me: what are your goals?

Zero: Get my first belt.

Ray: As much as I love my gym I need to get into something a bit more private. I'm hoping for my brown belt soon and eventually black. Then it's on to as many fights and belts I can get before retirement.

Me: How do you feel about your past fights:

Zero: my last fights? in the last 5 fights with 5 wins are great fighters.

Ray: I think it's easy to say that Mike Bater has been my toughest opponent yet. He's a monster just like me who was more hungry for a victory. The other fights have been pretty good fighters but nobody really stands out like him.

We take a break while the classes are changing around for the next session. We also got some words from BJ Penn about this main event. BJ Penn: “I can see this fight being one of those fights that you can’t miss it at all”.

Now that the next classes are about to began we got back to some more of the questions.

Me: how do you feel about your past match ups?

Zero: Determination and vigor.

Ray: Like I have stated the answer in the last question.

Me: how did you got into the sport:

Zero: started again at age 18, training in boxing until my first fight I got my first win.

Ray: I got realllllly wasted one night and the place I was at was doing amateur boxing night. I already had my purple belt at the time and figured that boxing wouldn't be tough since I've always had a pretty hard head. Got banged up pretty nice and lost but I began to train my boxing then and took my QFC fight shortly thereafter.

Me: What’s your favorite strike/ submission to use in any fight?

Zero: Strike without a doubt.

Ray: Punching people’s faces in. Heh.

Me: Who is your Biggest inspiration?

Zero: my inspiration is myself, every time I train and evolve so much strength.

Ray: Probably Snake The Pendulum. I want to see him beat Tonal pretty badly.

We stopped for lunch break with BJ Penn at Big Island Pizza. We talked about the sport and personal life. BJ Penn is starting to get interested in this historic fight.

We return to the gym before the third class of the day start and begin the interview again.

Me: Which team are you training with in the preparation for your next bout?

Zero: I was invited and I’m training in The Prototype Dojo.

Ray: Steel Penn/Heavy Hands Gym. My good buddy Kraal The Bouncer just joined not that long ago and he's new to MMA but kicks ass.

Me: what does it mean (for you) to be a fighter?

Zero: if a fighter is to be determined is a hero.

Ray: It really comes down to solidifying your legacy into a sport that you love. It's like having a chance to be the Dan Marino or OJ Simpson (hehe) of professional fighting.

Me: What separates you from every other fighter in your division?

Zero: Following my win in a row and my position in rank.

Ray: My well roundedness. These young guys will some day be kicking my ass but for right now I think i'm in a good position to stay on top of this org well into the next year.

Me: If you could have one dream fight with anyone, who would it be?

Zero: "Ticking Time-Bomb " Taylo Ray.

Ray: I'd like to get my ass kicked by Snake the Pendulum or even get a rematch against Mike Bater.

We yet again for the last time rest for the changing of classes around. BJ Penn stopped by so share a quote with us. BJ Penn: “your both young and got a lot ahead of you so keep your head up, keep training and you will be great soon”.

Now that the final class is set we sit back down but this time with BJ Penn.

Me: What do you want to be remembered for at the end of your career?

Zero: the first and greatest champion of KOTC: Hilo - King Of The Cage: Hilo.

Ray: I just want people to have said that I never took an easy fight. That I fought the best competiton I could get and won.

Me: What their background is (like what martial art, wrestling, and boxing they’ve trained in)?

Zero: Boxing

Ray: I started with BJJ when I was a kid (my father was a red belt) and when he passed away I had just gotten my purple belt. My boxing and muay-thai has really been more recent endeavor. The wrestling kind of came along with learning BJJ and general common sense. I have a natrual grappling ability.

For the final two questions of the interview we set outside while the pro fighters were doing a personal outdoor training session for us to watch.

Me: Who do feel is your toughest opponent so far was and why?

Zero: in a moment of indecision in my life, a struggle in the Quick Fight Championship, fought Katsuo Watanabe, if I had a negative resutado there I do not know I would continue my career.

Ray: I think I’ve answered that many times. Mike Bater.

Me: Who in the league/organization they want 2 fight and who they would think twice about fighting (possibly again)?

Zero: answer you do not know.

Ray: I'd like to get a fight against whoever I can. Helge Fossmo would be fun as he is an alliance mate of mine and we could get some bookies to help us out.

Before we ended the interview, we thanked BJ Penn and Penn Training & Fitness for letting us come in and watch some top-level training and hang out with BJ Penn for the day. We will see you both at KOTC: Hilo Ray vs. Zero in Tokyo, Japan at the Shinjuku Indoor Arena

I thanked Taylo Ray and Sub Zero before I let them go off into the beautiful Hawaii sunset.

 

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