NAME: Denis Kang

AGE: 29

CITY OF RESIDENCE: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

JOB TITLE: Professional Mixed Martial Artist

ORGANIZATION THAT YOU WORK FOR: PRIDE Fighting Championships, among others

TIME AT YOUR PRESENT JOB: 10 years

 

 

What is mixed martial arts (MMA)?

It’s a fighting sport, combining a blend of kickboxing, wrestling, judo and jiu-jitsu. It’s been around for 15 to 20 years, so it’s still fairly new. I’m currently under contract with PRIDE for five or six more events, and I’m happy with them at the moment. I’ve been called one of the most explosive mixed martial artists in the world. Last November, I participated in the middleweight tournament for PRIDE. I won the first fight, but due to a serious biceps injury, I lost a close, grueling decision in the final match.

What do people say when they find out what you do?

Their first reaction is, “That stuff is crazy!” And they look at you in awe. Most people know it now because of all the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and PRIDE shows on TV.

Do women like what you do?

The women love it.

Describe your path here.

My father is Korean, and my mother is French. I basically grew up in France and Vancouver, [Canada,] and I grew up pretty poor, so I started working at 14 — dishwasher, Wal-Mart, painter and landscaper, tourism in Vancouver, all kinds of clerical 9-to-5 work.

I spent a lot of time wrestling, training in hapkido and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In 2000, I quit everything and got jobs as a bouncer and started training hard. Then I became a full-time jiu-jitsu teacher, and then evolved into MMA. I’ve spent nine and a half years fighting, and only started really supporting myself financially the past few years. Small promotions only pay if you win, so early [in my career], I was more broke than when I started. I’ve learned that it’s very important to be surrounded by positive support.

What is your favorite aspect of what you do?

The training. I’m always training my butt off, and I love being in excellent condition. I’m always learning new techniques and trying different things. It’s really an evolving art.

What are some challenges that you might not have expected?

Almost everything was expected. I knew I was going to struggle, like an artist and anyone else who follows their dreams. The biggest unexpected challenges are injuries. I’ve broken my hand twice, dislocated my shoulder. You realize you need your body to make a living. It really opens up your eyes because if you can’t fight, you can’t eat. In essence, my body is my business.

What trends have you seen in MMA, and what do you foresee in the next five years?

First it was just UFC, and then PRIDE. But now there are other shows, so there’s more competition. That’s very healthy for the fighters, and the industry has grown explosively in the last few years. In the next five years, though, I expect MMA to become a more mainstream sport, with more acceptance. North America and Korea should become more like Japan in that sense.