K-1 USA: Roufus Giving it One More Shot
Mike Sloan Apr 30, 2005
In North American kickboxing, Rick “The Jet” Roufus is usually
regarded as the greatest kickboxer in history. He has won six
different world titles, has fought and defeated every legend
imaginable, has well over 60 wins and has been doing this for 22
years.
The one thing that is missing from Roufus’ remarkable career is the K-1 World Grand Prix title. For whatever reason, Roufus has never been able to capture that coveted prize, something he desires more than anything out of his career.
Roufus is one of those guys that when you hear his name, you
automatically recall all those memorable ring wars from the 80s and
90s. His lethal left hook and his patented axe kick will go down in
history as some of the deadliest strikes that ever graced a
kickboxing ring. Roufus has come close to competing in the Tokyo
Dome for the finals a few times, but he has never been able to
ascend that mountain just yet.
At 38, Roufus knows that time is of the essence and if he is to finally land that title, he must do it soon. Roufus is set to duke it out with two-time World Grand Prix runner-up Musashi this Saturday in the Bellagio. But even if Roufus prevails it’s unknown whether K-1 will open a spot for him in the final 16 to compete for an entrance into the Tokyo Dome.
Sherdog.com: You have signed up to fight Musashi. Now, he is a very dangerous, athletic and quick opponent for you and he also has that youth advantage. What are your thoughts on Musashi?
Rick Roufus: Well, Musashi’s been to the dance twice now and he’s been fighting a bunch of times over the past few years. He’s a two-time World Grand Prix runner-up and I am excited about the opportunity to fight him. I know a lot of people are expecting him to be too quick for me and that I won’t be able to deal with his low kicks, but that’s alright. I’ve been training very hard for this and I am ready to go.
Sherdog.com: How long ago did you know you were fighting Musashi? Or did you basically find out right about the time it was officially announced?
Roufus: Well, I’ve been training steadily since last year. I’ve told Scott Coker that I wanted to fight in April and I have been training very hard with the intentions of fighting on this card. I’ve been training with a good strength and conditioning coach. I’ve also been doing nutritional training and with some weights. I feel as strong as ever.
Sherdog.com: Watching Musashi’s game, like I’m sure you have been, what weaknesses do you see that you’ll try to capitalize on?
Roufus: Well, he doesn’t kick very much and he drops his hands when he kicks. I don’t want to really go into it deeply, though, in case he happens to read this.
Sherdog.com: Have you ever met him personally?
Roufus: No, I don’t think I have. I don’t recall ever meeting him.
Sherdog.com: You are 38-years-old. How much longer do you anticipate on fighting?
Roufus: It’s hard to say because I feel really, really good right now. These past few years have been an emotional roller coaster, but everything’s OK. This is much better for me to fight a solo fight because it gets tougher over the years to fully train for several guys in one night. Age right now is not a factor as my training has been going great and I feel better than I ever have in my life. Look at Michael Jordan and how great he was even at an advanced age in his career.
Sherdog.com: Provided that you beat Musashi, what plans, if any, does K-1 have in store for you as far as the World Grand Prix is concerned?
Roufus: As of right now, I don’t know. I know I’m excited for this challenge and I would definitely love to go to the Tokyo Dome for the finals, but they haven’t told me anything. I’ve been ready for a while and during last year’s event, I fought Akebono on two week’s notice. I am ready for this challenge with Musashi and I am fully prepared to win the fight. But I don’t know what K-1’s plans are for me after this fight. I know I’ll continue to train and I’ll focus on my gym down here in Tempe. I train day in and day out and if a call comes from them, I’ll be ready. I actually feel younger right now and I am more ready than ever. But I don’t know K-1 has in store for me after this fight with Musashi.
Sherdog.com: What will you do if you happen to lose to Musashi?
Roufus: Well, I haven’t really thought about that. I only know one way and that way is toward winning. The thought of losing hasn’t even crossed my mind.
Sherdog.com: What is the hardest thing about training for you right now?
Roufus: Well, there’s always the concern for minor injuries or nagging pains, stuff like that. I don’t really have a hard time right now because everything is going right. I am up every morning at about 4:30 or 5:00 every day and I just train. I’ve got Ricco Rodriguez down here with me at the moment and he’s been a great help. I feel great and right now, nothing really has been bothering me or has been tough. I feel better than ever and I am ready for whatever Musashi brings to the table.
The one thing that is missing from Roufus’ remarkable career is the K-1 World Grand Prix title. For whatever reason, Roufus has never been able to capture that coveted prize, something he desires more than anything out of his career.
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At 38, Roufus knows that time is of the essence and if he is to finally land that title, he must do it soon. Roufus is set to duke it out with two-time World Grand Prix runner-up Musashi this Saturday in the Bellagio. But even if Roufus prevails it’s unknown whether K-1 will open a spot for him in the final 16 to compete for an entrance into the Tokyo Dome.
Roufus was recently tracked down by Sherdog.com for an exclusive
one-on-one interview and he spoke candidly about his opponent, his
future and how great of shape he is in. He recently moved down to
Arizona and opened a new training facility: The Roufus Kickboxing
center, which is located at 1155 West 23rd Street in Tempe, Arizona
(www.roufuskickboxingcenter.com). So, if you’re in the area, please
check out his facility.
Sherdog.com: You have signed up to fight Musashi. Now, he is a very dangerous, athletic and quick opponent for you and he also has that youth advantage. What are your thoughts on Musashi?
Rick Roufus: Well, Musashi’s been to the dance twice now and he’s been fighting a bunch of times over the past few years. He’s a two-time World Grand Prix runner-up and I am excited about the opportunity to fight him. I know a lot of people are expecting him to be too quick for me and that I won’t be able to deal with his low kicks, but that’s alright. I’ve been training very hard for this and I am ready to go.
Sherdog.com: How long ago did you know you were fighting Musashi? Or did you basically find out right about the time it was officially announced?
Roufus: Well, I’ve been training steadily since last year. I’ve told Scott Coker that I wanted to fight in April and I have been training very hard with the intentions of fighting on this card. I’ve been training with a good strength and conditioning coach. I’ve also been doing nutritional training and with some weights. I feel as strong as ever.
Sherdog.com: Watching Musashi’s game, like I’m sure you have been, what weaknesses do you see that you’ll try to capitalize on?
Roufus: Well, he doesn’t kick very much and he drops his hands when he kicks. I don’t want to really go into it deeply, though, in case he happens to read this.
Sherdog.com: Have you ever met him personally?
Roufus: No, I don’t think I have. I don’t recall ever meeting him.
Sherdog.com: You are 38-years-old. How much longer do you anticipate on fighting?
Roufus: It’s hard to say because I feel really, really good right now. These past few years have been an emotional roller coaster, but everything’s OK. This is much better for me to fight a solo fight because it gets tougher over the years to fully train for several guys in one night. Age right now is not a factor as my training has been going great and I feel better than I ever have in my life. Look at Michael Jordan and how great he was even at an advanced age in his career.
Sherdog.com: Provided that you beat Musashi, what plans, if any, does K-1 have in store for you as far as the World Grand Prix is concerned?
Roufus: As of right now, I don’t know. I know I’m excited for this challenge and I would definitely love to go to the Tokyo Dome for the finals, but they haven’t told me anything. I’ve been ready for a while and during last year’s event, I fought Akebono on two week’s notice. I am ready for this challenge with Musashi and I am fully prepared to win the fight. But I don’t know what K-1’s plans are for me after this fight. I know I’ll continue to train and I’ll focus on my gym down here in Tempe. I train day in and day out and if a call comes from them, I’ll be ready. I actually feel younger right now and I am more ready than ever. But I don’t know K-1 has in store for me after this fight with Musashi.
Sherdog.com: What will you do if you happen to lose to Musashi?
Roufus: Well, I haven’t really thought about that. I only know one way and that way is toward winning. The thought of losing hasn’t even crossed my mind.
Sherdog.com: What is the hardest thing about training for you right now?
Roufus: Well, there’s always the concern for minor injuries or nagging pains, stuff like that. I don’t really have a hard time right now because everything is going right. I am up every morning at about 4:30 or 5:00 every day and I just train. I’ve got Ricco Rodriguez down here with me at the moment and he’s been a great help. I feel great and right now, nothing really has been bothering me or has been tough. I feel better than ever and I am ready for whatever Musashi brings to the table.
