Stephen Martinez: Okay, you talk about UFC. But, if you fight in Japan as a pro, you get on magazine … you maybe broadcasted on TV … you can be exposed on media a lot. But in America, even if you fight in UFC once, you can’t be a star like Chuck, Tito, Randy. So what I want to ask you is, even if you think all of those advantage of fighting in Japan, do you still want to fight in UFC?
Masa: There’s a lot of other fight shows in America -- KOTC, WEC ... which your ex-teammate Daisuke Ishii fought once. Are you interested in fighting in those shows? Kunioku: If I can achieve my goal in the end, then I’d take part in the local shows. But I’m dying to fight in UFC. That’s the goal. That’s the goal I have to achieve.
Masa: Now, let’s talk about your fighting career. You fought so many fighters who are way much bigger than you. Don’t you mind the weight difference? Look! You fought even Pete Williams. That’s crazy. Don’t you mind the weight different at all?
Kunioku: Well, when they started Pancrase, there wasn’t any weight division. And I’m small. So I always had to fight against big guys. So I don’t really mind.
Masa: You don’t feel the difference of impact of punches? Between heavy guy and light guy? Kunioku: Yes I do. I certainly do. Believe me I know the difference. But from all of those training and fighting career, my body learned how I have to fight against big guys. I’ve fought Frank Shamrock, Guy Metzger, and I fought Bas Rutten, too.
Masa: That’s incredible.
Kunioku: Well, I think it’s one of the relish of Martial Arts. Lil’ guy kick the big guy's ass. Now people are start forgetting that zest. Anyway, I really don’t mind that weight mismatch.
Masa: Oh, then you should go not to UFC but to K-1 or Dynamite to fight Butter Bean like Genki Sudo fought. Kunioku: (Laugh) Well, when we were fighting no-weight class, we could use only open-hand punch. We couldn’t punch by fist. Once we started using open finger gloves, then the organization started the weight division.
Masa: Oh yes, that’s right. Okay, check out this number, you have 30-18-7 MMA record. Kunioku: I think I fought more than that. Your database is missing some of my fights. …
Masa: Oh … I don’t know, maybe. But what I wanted ask you is, you have this many fights, which fight is most important fight for you? Which fight is the one made what you are today? Kunioku: I’d say, the fight I became the middleweight champion when I defeated Nathan Marquardt. I fought him four times. But this fight was the most impressive win for me.
Masa: So you became a middleweight champion first. Then …
Kunioku: Yes, then they set up the welterweight division. So I took part in that tournament. And I won the title.
Stephen Martinez: In other organizations, they don’t make fighter fight against a guy from same team. But Pancrase fighter often fight against somebody from their team? Why?
Kunioku: Because the company decided that way. We had no choice. Also we didn’t have that many fighters when we started Pancrase. So we had to fight each other so many times. But recently we have a lot of fighters coming from outside of organization. Then we don’t really fight each other as often as before. Except the tournament. But, let me tell you this. If you think MMA as sport, you don’t need to hate your opponent when you fight. You just simply want to know who is stronger. Who is more skilled? And if you want to visualize that question, you have to fight, not at the Gym, not on street, but in the ring in front of a lot of people. I don’t think it's right that we can practice together but we can’t fight serious. No! You should be able to train together and fight from your guts in the ring. That’s real fighter. That’s the competitor.
Martinez: OK, I understand that point. You already fought more than 50 fights and it looks like you have a pretty good record and earned two titles. So now what motivates you so much? Why you can push yourself this hard?
Kunioku: Well, first of all, this is all I can. This is what I’ve been doing since I graduate junior high, nothing but fighting. And I love it. This is the job for me. I eat food out of fighting. Secondly, if there’s someone who can feel something out from my fight, I’m more than happy to fight for them. That’s the motivation comes from.
Martinez: You fight in two divisions: middleweight and welterweight. Which one is more comfortable for you?
Kunioku: Both. I’m at right between those two. For me to lose weight is not that difficult. But to gain weight is difficult. So If I have to choose one, then I’d say welterweight is better for me. But I’m really right between.
Masa: Alright, so far we’ve been asking you about your past and your future, now I want to ask about your current situation. Where do you train? Who do you train with? How often do you train now?
Kunioku: First of all, I don’t belong to any dojo or academy. So now, I’m visiting several different Dojos and train with different people. Like I go to Tsuyoshi Kosaka’s Gym three times a week. And also I train at Boxing Gym on the other day. And I also lift weights at Gold's Gym.
Masa: I heard a lot of pro fighter does same thing now. Have you ever thought about training in oversea?
Kunioku: Yeah, kinda. I think that’s a good idea, including my language training. The problem is how I can get the contact with them or I have to be financially stable.
Masa: So let’s say, if any of rich guy who read this interview call you out to come train with them, would you go?
Kunioku: Absolutely, yes! I may get a lot of skills from them at the same time, they may learn from me. So I’d love to train oversea and brush up my skill overall.
Masa: So If there’s those rich guy read this interview and want to contact you … how can they reach you? Just e-mail Sherdog? Or e-mail me? Kunioku: Yeah I don’t mind that way. That’ll be cool.