[랭크5=고현 기자] URCC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Chris Hofmann has been the most dominant titleholder in the history of the organization. After losing his professional debut, he has knocked off seven adversaries in a row on his way to champ, champ status.

The last time spectators witnessed him inside the cage was at URCC 30 when he defended his middleweight crown against Robert Sothmann. Just like the men before him, Sothmann did not last and was finished with vicious ground and pound.

Subsequently, he has spent twenty months away from competition and now is ready to return against Musa Conteh in the main event of URCC 77: Raw Fury on April 27 in Manila.

In this interview, John Hyon Ko of Kumite TV spoke to Hofmann about his upcoming title defense against Musa Conteh, life in Zurich, differences in training between the Philippines and Europe, wrestling with the national team, Kim Doo-Hwan, dropping down to welterweight in the future, and more.

Notable excerpts from the interview:

John Hyon Ko: "Why did you take so much time off?"

Chris Hofmann: "I got invited by the Philippine national team in wrestling so I trained with them. I also competed for the national team. There was really no challenge or challenger within those twenty months so I was really focusing on my wrestling. Training wrestling all day long."

John Hyon Ko: "What are your thoughts on Musa [Conteh] as an opponent?"

Chris Hofmann: "He is obviously the bigger guy. He seems physically really strong. And I respect him a lot. But it's not the first time I faced a bigger guy, stronger guy so I will just have to adjust to his strength overall. Based on the last video I saw which was a few months back, he seems to be a little rough around the edges when it comes to his flow or to his movement. But again, that was like a few months ago so who knows how much he improved.

John Hyon Ko: "Has it elevated many aspects of your MMA game by focusing on your wrestling?"

Chris Hofmann: "I would not say I'm like a top-notch wrestler or something like that. But my skills certainly improved a lot."

For the audio version of the interview CLICK HERE or go to iTunes.

고현 기자 jhkmma@gmail.com