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 Sebastian: LADIES AND GENTLEMAN! I am here with the Man, The Myth, The legend, the 9-2 Kickboxing king who is undefeated in MMA, The Hollywood star taking the lead role in an MMA documentary, Duannis Frank! How are you Duannis!?
Duannis: Aha! I'm more like the prince as I defer to Cecil Lightning with him being 16-0 in the same production. I'm doing well Sebastian! I've just gotten my first fight here within Bellicose. I've been a part of it for a while just trying to get up to speed while sparring with Baby Thibs.
Sebastian: And I want to get into all of that! But first, can we talk about the TV Commercials for the Documentary you did?! What was that experience like?
Duannis: It was brilliant man! The lights, the show, the action...there is nothing like it. Had I not found out that I was a pretty good guy within the cage, that'd be my calling. I was an integral part of the doc and they made sure I felt that way. Wasn't a moment that I can remember where I wasn't constantly being waited on by assistants making sure I wasn't hungry, thirsty, etc through the takes. I was also recently invited back for a second documentary as well, which should be hitting Netflix in Q3 of 2022.
Sebastian: WHAT?! This is amazing! I loved the first one. Reports are that you only made $1,000? I hope you get more for this one.
Duannis: Hopefully so ! It was a startup operation when I initially signed on with the team so it was a decent take home pay. But likewise, I'm gonna have to get paid a bit more for my mind and my time than just a stack. Hence why I'm back to throwing these hands around. Papa Thibs also throws me a stipend to keep me afloat as I find my way.
Sebastian: Amazing. Well speaking of throwing hands, lets just talk about your kickboxing days for a second. In Kickboxing you went 9-2 and had 6 first round knockout wins. How do you stay so humble?!
Duannis: To be honest, Cecil rattling off that 16-0 run. To me coming up in kickboxing, I was good but never crossed over into great in my opinion of myself. I remind myself that there will always be someone better and even though you may be more skilled come fight night, you may not be the better fighter. Another reason I'm humble is learning from when Baby Thibs lost to Bill Smif. He was riding on high on assumptions that he was younger and that he was better skilled before he was humbled late in the third round, one could say all three rounds he was being humbled. A eagle can only fly towards the sun for long before it has to land, and I've had to touch the ground a few times myself.
Sebastian: You know honestly its incredible you have this much love for your teammates and something that I have noticed is you have a similar love for your fans. You have repeatedly mentioned in your post fights that they are the reason you keep doing this and they are what drive you. What does it mean to you knowing that your arrival in Bellicose the fans are so hyped about you debuting and that many of them are behind you in this upcoming bout?
Duannis:
Man if it wasn't for the fans, why compete. I live for the sound of the crowd buzzing as you walk out before they erupt in madness at the introduction. That's a different type of dopamine right there Sebastian. Every time I fight, I get another hit of the best dope since crack-cocaine in the '90s. I'm hoping my fans are excited and are truly pivotal in this crossover to MMA. For a moment there, I thought they would forsake me if I didn't take my talents to Ambush Kickboxing in Tokyo, but I just got stopped by a group of avid kids who recognized me here in Vegas from the scraps on the island and it just reinvigorated me and made me double down on my decision in going with Bellicose and opening up myself to take on some bouts.
Sebastian: Okay so here you are in Bellicose, about to make your second pro mma fight against Pete Os, a 3-2 fighter. Whats going through your mind before you face him? This guy is a knockout artist a real threat to anyone who wants to stand and trade with him. Knockout after knockout, he has proven himself to be fierce with his hands. Does this feel like another kickboxing bout or do you think he will try some grappling with you?!
Duannis:
I wish I could honestly say that he makes me nervous, that I'm losing sleep, all the cliches one would say for a great fight. But honestly, I think I'm gonna beat the hell outta 'em. His management moved him to two different countries back to back the day of his fight. He's still reeling and recovering his mental stability from that. With my kickboxing background I feel like I have what it takes to trade and come out on the upper hand. Heh, Grappling? Duannis flashes a sinister grin. I don't think he wants to do that but I assure you, we are gonna get up close and personal and he is not gonna like it.
Sebastian: Wow this is intense. You're definitely the crowd favorite going into this one. Talk to us a little bit about the rest of the fight card and who you think wins what...
Romero vs Bogachev .... Bors vs Sykora .... Horton vs Paul .... and Pee Wee vs Hatter....
Duannis: Ahh Sebastian, last time I got paid $1000 for this. Duannis breaks into a hearty laugh Romero vs Bogachev: Romero is a name we are all too acquainted with after hosting Kamaru Usman Jr. at our gym for about two months a while back. We call him Pebble but he definitely hits like a boulder with all but two wins coming from a pure knockout. You can definitely tell he's really aggressive in accordance with ring control, applying pressure, and punching with malicious intention. 'Quite Frankly', I think I just coined the name of my MMA podcast here, that's gonna be the only thing that may win him the fight here with Bogachev outclassing him almost everywhere else. If Bogachev gets to the clinch, Romero's one becomes two. Horton Vs Paul: Partial bias to Horton with him being a part of the great alliance of Super Smesh, it's a pretty even fight with Horton being the better man in the wrestling department. That could spell trouble for Paul if it gets any closer than his arm length. Although I'm not a fan of Paul after him mouthing off like he can actually stand toe to toe with Baby T, he has power in his hands and follows the same game plan as his gym brother Romero, power punches in bunches. That corner is getting to be predictable, amirite? That's definitely live by the sword, die by the sword style, KO or Bust for Paul or his one becomes two as well. Bors Vs. Sykora: Bors is a Bogeyman of Bellicose for good reason, it's shown clearly in the matchup. I don't know who put the gun to Sykora's head to accept this fight but I'm telling you he's getting paid to take a dive. This is Veinu vs Maluga.. Bors in one, a quick one at that. Pee Wee Vs Mad Hatter: This matchup hosts two guys that would've been better for ole Bors, but I digress especially as PWS has lost to him already. Sasaki could definitely have his way in the clinch if he properly trained for it, boasting better boxing and wrestling skills than Hatter. Both guys sport power in their hands, feet too in Hatters case If Hatter can evade the clinch and land his shots, he could definitely see the fight go his way and end the night with his hand being raised
Sebastian: Okay so it's definitely a great card and I have been getting buzzes all week about this. Some people believe you are looking past Os and are already squaring up with the rest of the division. Is this true and if it is, who would you prefer to take up next? and if it's false, what makes you focus so heavily on Os and not get excited about the future?
Duannis: I always focus on the food on my plate before going back for seconds. So I'm definitely focused on finishing Os and getting the win. However I would like to start venturing into the top ten to see if I could earn a place there and put my name in the big lights. I'm definitely chomping at the bit to get in the ring with the likes of Adam Orel or Micka Slice to see if they really deserve a place above my brother BT. Cause I spar with him every week and well..I'll tell you not too many people have hit me harder than him. Cecil Lightning included. Duannis rubs his chin whilst in thought before wincing as he has a flashback. Yeah..even harder than Cecil.
Sebastian: I can tell you first hand that the rankings are a complete joke in Bellicose and until Michael Belanger gets back to doing them, Hec should be laughed at for even attempting it! I mean, Not even putting you in the top ten despite your incredible path in Kickboxing and your dominant victory in MMA?! What a joke. With a win over Os, I would be hard pressed to believe that you would finally be admitted into his sacred top ten of the division. And if that's the case, Micka Slice is near the top ten, that could be a fight of fireworks! How would you see that play out?!
Duannis: Let the people sleep! Only power seems to wake them. Micka chin wasn’t tested until Bill Smif showed him the floor. That said, I think he’s a great fighter however this wouldn’t be a fight headed to judges in his favor, nor to the judges at all. Better hand him a blankie before he comes into ring that night so I can tuck him in to bed
Sebastian: So it looks like you are coming for Os and then you have your sights set on Slice. You are making things quite clear of what you want in the near future. Well, as someone who has always loved his fans and treated them well, is there anything you wish to say before we go our separate ways?
Duannis: Bas, can I call you Bas? I’m thrilled that you have brought me in for this interview and given me a chance to tell my story and my point of view. To my fans, I’ll be back in action soon on Valentines Day Eve! So tickets to your lover would be an awesome present. Thank you for the love and support in my transition to MMA and allowing me to continue to do what I love: Kick people in the face and continue to make y’all proud. Thank you for this opportunity, Sebastian.
Sebastian: Ladies and Gentleman was the kickboxing sensation who has made a transition into the MMA world and will be debuting in the Bellicose cage on the 13th of February against Petr Os, a man known for his violent knockout power. Be prepared for this one to end early folks!
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