Interview with Baby Puno

Fighter profile of Kajun Puno by Chris Karter

We welcome Kajun Puno, the son of MMA legend Fidel Puno, and the current king of the Heavyweight division. Thanks for taking the time and sitting down for an interview with us.

You are welcome.

You're coming off a huge win against Bo Juggernaut, a heavy hitting wrecking ball with 35 knockouts under his resume. You finished him off in 1 minute and 5 seconds in the first round. What was your gameplan coming into that fight?

Just fight. He is tough. I hit him with huge right hand and he rolled like bowling ball into cage and bounced right back up. Very acrobatic. It was honor to fight him.

It was one of the best Heavyweight fights we've seen all year even if it didn't last very long, the fans were freaking out the entire time. Across the world fans gave the fight a 100% rating, not one voted for anything less.

I just went in there and fight. I train hard, I do my job. It was an honor and I am happy the fans enjoy the show.

You've been on a roll ever since you moved to the Heavyweight division. You're 16-1 as a Heavyweight fighter. What changed for you?

I was little untrained nugget. Raw talent, Chris Karter say. Stubborn in gym. All talent, little technique. Son of Big Puno. Expected more. I fight too small, too lean. Need boost.

Walking around in the 250's now, it's hard to imagine you once fought as a Light Heavyweight, yet you started your career as a Middleweight. You were 5-3 at 185 and 1-2 at 205. Was your 6-5 record what prompted a move to the Heavyweight division?

I eat to lean and cut too much weight. I honor my legacy. My father, greatest heavyweight fighter all time, yes? My destiny to fight. I was smaller and just wanted to fight, didn't care what division. First fight at 16 years old. Just a little Puno. As I get older I grow, naturally. I think was destiny to follow in father's footsteps. Big footsteps.

What kind of lifestyle changes did you make to adapt to the heavyweight division?

Eat more red meats. Double up on chicken and fish. Lift more weights. Bulk up. Circuit training with the best.

What kind of training did this consist of?

Swing big hammers. Throw bigger rocks. Submit crocodiles.

Submit crocodiles?

They do death roll. If you can tap a croc, you can tap a fighter, father say.

Sounds dangerous. You sure you should be doing that?

Very effective. Look at previous fight. JPG think he sneaky, he smaller than croc, make him tap.

Speaking of that, it looked like Jean Paul Garcon was in total control that entire fight. What happened? And how does it feel to battle back and win after that?

He sneaky. He fast. I beat him before so maybe get to my head. It is 5 round fight though, finding a way to finish build character. I make entire Convicted Fight Club proud with that win and that makes me happy.

What's next for you now that you've cleared out all the competition in the EVO Heavyweight division?

Syn' Heavyweight title. In honor of Fidel Puno.

Speaking of Fidel Puno, your father, he was quite the father. Those are some pretty big footsteps to fill. What was it like growing up a Puno?

Father tough. Much love, but tough. Teach discipline. I am true Puno. Mother was Philipino. He was King. Spread many seeds. I have little nuggest of half-brother, Manny. Half-brother Andreus. I think there were others. Many baby Puno's, but I am best and strongest. Maybe oldest.

Do you talk to any of your siblings?

Not really. We get together for father's birthday and go at it. I win. I am biggest and strongest.

Do you think you could take your old man in a fight?

No. I try. No succeed. One day I will be King Puno though, but I am patient.

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