Kelly Kobold - Back with a Vengeance - PRO MMA Exclusive Interview

Originally posted on ProMMA.info

Kelly Kobold is preparing herself for the biggest fight of her career. A fight that in many people’s opinion would never have happened had she won her last two fights. On October 4th, Kobold will face poster-girl for female mixed martial arts, Gina Carano, on the main card of EliteXC’s CBS Saturday Night Fights.

Kelly went on a tear through female mma going undefeated in her career until problems on the homefront caused inevitable distractions that played into her fist two defeats. With all the drama long behind her, Kelly has had a year to refocus on her career and looks to make all of those that expect Gina to walk through her some very unhappy campers.

PRO MMA had a chance to catch up with Kelly and talk with her about how she feels she matches up with Gina, being the underdog, and shocking the world.

PRO MMA: Hey Kelly, Thanks for taking this time with us we know you’re really busy preparing for your fight with Gina Carano. How are you feeling right now physically? Are you injury free for this fight?
Kelly: I am injury free for this fight. I’m really, really excited. I think this has to be the first fight I’ve ever had where I didn’t have something go wrong in a training camp where I just had a flood of doubts as to whether or not I could actually do the fight so I feel great about this training camp.

PRO MMA: How’s training been going down at Team Bison?
Kelly: It’s wonderful. It’s really home for me as far as training goes. I’ve got great teammates there, you know, great friends that genuinely care about my progress as a fighter. It’s not just me going out to fight, you know, it’s them, they’re in there with me because they’ve trained so hard with me to prepare me for it.

PRO MMA: I know you normally train with a bunch of guys that are a lot bigger than you but have you brought any females down to help prepare you for this fight?
Kelly: There have been a couple females down here at Team Bison and then when I go down to Minnesota Mixed Artial Arts Academy a couple days a week there’s a bunch of girls down there as well.

PRO MMA: What are your thoughts on Gina and how do you feel you ladies match up?
Kelly: I think we match up just fine. I’m a well rounded opponent that’s good on the ground and on the feet so I think it’s going to be an exciting fight no matter what. She’s definitely a tough fighter and it won’t be an easy fight for either of us so I think we’re going to have one of the best fights of the night.

PRO MMA: It seems like you will definitely be the biggest, strongest and most experienced opponent that Gina has faced in her career. Would you agree with this?
Kelly: Oh definitely I would agree with that. You know with her new diet and nutritionist and everything she’s been following to make weight for this fight, I might just end up being the bigger of the two.

PRO MMA: Weight has long been an issue for Gina. How’s your weight coming along?
Kelly: Well I’ve definitely had some fights where you don’t even have to weigh in; sort of underground warehouse type things where it’s like “We’ve got two women here, now go fight.” But for the majority of my fights I’ve had to weigh in and I’ve never missed weight before so it won’t be an issue for me. I’m incredibly professional and I feel like making weight is very, very important otherwise there wouldn’t be weight classes.

PRO MMA: What will your game plan be with Carano? Will you be looking to trade with her, take the action to the mat or just go with the flow?
Kelly: I’m just going to impose my will. I’m just going to go out there and play off of how she reacts to what I do. It’s just about being one step ahead of your opponent. I definitely intend to push the pace of the fight.

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