Sokoudjou is ready for battle

Abu Dhabi:  Cameroonian Thierry Sokoudjou has his hands full when he faces heavier opponents in the Abu Dhabi Fighting Championship, but the fighter with the dreadlocked hair says he is ready for the battle.

Speaking to Gulf News yesterday after the eight fighters were lined up for Friday's Dh1 million MMA (Mixed martial Arts) contest, the 26 year old said, "It is a really interesting competition. There are some very big guys I have to contend with. But I love fighting big guys."

Sokoudjou was introduced to the media here as a "man of peace" but the California-based fighter is better known as the "African Assassin". At 1.82 metres and weight just over 90.7 kilogrammes, Sokoudjou said, "I have to gain weight so I eat, sleep and gain weight. It is interesting and I am really looking forward to Friday's bout."

Good time

A judoka and mixed martial artist, Sokoudjou takes on American Dave Herman in one of the four bouts on Friday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

"I just seem friendly and take things very cool so maybe that is why they referred to me as a ‘man of peace'," he said.

"I started with judo at a very young age and when I moved to the US I took up the sport at a professional level," said Sokoudjou.

"Abu Dhabi is really beautiful. It is a pity I will have to leave two days after the fight. But I will definitely come back and spend more time," he said.