I expected it to go a little longer but the fight happened to end with a KO. I really thought it would be a slightly longer fight.
Pride:
Did you feel the knee land?
Tamura:
Yes, I did.
Pride:
Why were you complaining to the referee?
Tamura:
I was excited. I felt the knee land and I kicked him twice after that. Maybe the referee didn't understand why Minowa fell down but as a fighter, and as myself, I hated having to kick him in the face.
Pride:
What was your impression of Minowa?
Tamura:
He had increased his weight and I think he wanted to trade strikes. He weighed 91kg, so his punches were heavy.
Pride:
Was he different than before?
Tamura:
Completely different. The last time we were both careful, there was both striking and grappling, and the fight went to the decision.
Pride:
What about your challenge to Yoshida?
Tamura:
I have wanted to rematch him since I lost two years ago, and I have continuously asked for that fight. Since I won this time, I thought it would be a good opportunity (to challenge him).
Pride:
When do you want to fight him?
Tamura:
Any time would be fine for me. Since I lost the last fight, I am the challenger. I will just maintain my conditioning so I can fight whenever he's ready. It's up to Yoshida's side to make a move now.
Pride:
Do you think the fact you won by KO this time will help your challenge?
Tamura:
Yes. I was troubled before the fight. I was worried about how far a 37-year-old fighter like myself could go against a bulked-up Minowa. I was intentionally trying to knee him but it's rare for a knee to hit that cleanly, so I don't know if you would call that coincidence or luck or something else. I was worried before the fight but since I won, I think I have the right to move on to the next stage.
Pride:
Do you have any other goals for next year besides a rematch with Yoshida?
Tamura:
The rematch with Yoshida and if the conditions are right, I'd like to fight overseas, in Las Vegas.
