Yoshiki Takahashi

Pride Fighting Championships: What's your official weight for this fight? Yoshiki Takahashi: 93 kilos.

Pride:	Still at PANCRASE-ism?
Takahashi:	Not "ism", just PANCRASE. There are 3 teams in PANCRASE. My team doesn't have a name. Just say PANCRASE.
Pride:	Are you an international amateur wrestling champion?
Takahashi:	When I was young.
Pride:	And you won a karate tournament?
Takahashi:	No, I didn't win.
Pride:	The 1st PANCRASE Heavyweight Champion?
Takahashi:	Yes.
Pride:	You defeated Wallid Ismail at UFC 12?
Takahashi:	yes.
Pride:	In Pancrase, you fought Schilt, Shamrock, White and Kondo?
Takahashi:	Yes.
Pride:	Ok, your fight against Heath Herring in the tournament didn't turn out so well. What have you been doing since then?
Takahashi:	I practiced my striking more.
Pride:	Have you fought since then?
Takahashi:	No.
Pride:	Who have you been training with?
Takahashi:	Fujita and Kosaka. Also, Yokoi and Nakamura.
Pride:	That's a pretty good camp! Do you have to win this fight to enter the Grand Prix? Do you want to be in the Grand Prix?
Takahashi:	I'm not thinking about anything but this fight. I think my fist will probably be broken from this fight so, even if I win, I don't know if I'll be able to fight in the next one.
Pride:	(laughing) Why do you feel that way?
Takahashi:	Because that's how hard I'm going to hit him! (laughing)
Pride:	What do you think of Vovchanchyn?
Takahashi:	I respect him.
Pride:	Vovchanchyn has come down from Heavyweight to 205 lb. What is the biggest threat Vovchanchyn presents to you?
Takahashi:	His right hook.
Pride:	What are the differences between Pancrase and PRIDE?
Takahashi:	There are a lot of differences but mainly the style is different. I don't really want to get into details, though.
Pride:	Okay, what did you feel when you fought in PRIDE the first time?
Takahashi:	It was the difference in style.
Pride:	How is it different?
Takahashi:	The style of fighting is different. Not the difference in the rule. It's the way the fighters fight.
Pride:	Since your debut in PRIDE last year, what have you improved the most? What do you want to work on this year?
Takahashi:	I worked on ground defense since the last fight. I will continue to improve that.
Pride:	What are your biggest strengths heading into this fight?
Takahashi:	I don't know.
Pride:	How can you beat Vovchanchyn?
Takahashi:	Go forward, be aggressive and punch without being afraid of his punches.