Bertrand Amoussou

Pride Fighting Championships: Your 37? Bertrand Amoussou : I'll be 38 on the 28 th of May.

Pride :	You've got an extensive judo background. How will that help you in PRIDE?
Amoussou :	I was in the Judo National Team in France . I competed for 10 year. French National Champ and European Champ. Then I competed in Jiu-Jitsu Fighting System. It's kind of judo and karate. I was the 3-time World Champion so I have a kickboxing background.
Pride :	What are the rules?
Amoussou :	The rules are karate rules. You have 3 rounds. Round 1 is kick and punch like karate. Round 2 is judo. Round 3 is ground fighting. You have to be good at all of them. They way you finish the match is to get ippon in all of them.
Pride :	All kind of submissions?
Amoussou :	Yes, including legs.
Pride :	What is your background in standup fighting?
Amoussou :	I trained in kickboxing with Valara, the guy who brought kickboxing to Europe .
Pride :	Who is your main influence in judo?
Amoussou :	My father.
Pride :	Was he good?
Amoussou :	Yes, he was a good judo player. He was supposed to fight in the Olympic Games in Munich but he couldn't compete because Benin , the country I am originally from, didn't pay the fees. He was ready but they didn't pay.
Pride :	When did you come to France ?
Amoussou :	When I was 4 years old.
Pride :	Will your father be watching you fight?
Amoussou :	He's not here but his heart is here.
Pride :	When you are fighting on the ground, do you prefer to be on top or work from your guard?
Amoussou :	Both. I don't have any preference.
Pride :	What is the name of your team?
Amoussou :	You have to understand, MMA is forbidden in France . I have my own school and we are trying to push the things to make it legal.
Pride :	MMA is illegal in France ?
Amoussou :	You can train. Nobody can come into your dojo and say don't do that. The main federation in France is the Judo Federation. If a new martial art comes, they ask the Judo Federation if it's good or not. And they just look at judo. If it's something else, forget it. I come from judo, though. Then I did jiu-jitsu. I tell them what I'm doing and they know me and know I'm serious.
Pride :	Do you think it will be legal soon?
Amoussou :	We are trying. I'm also the Chief Editor of Fight Sport. We have Fight Sport in France , too. We are trying to push it.