Fearless, relentless and patient. Let me introduce Denis Kang.
Fearless, relentless, and patient -- these are words that come to mind when I think of Denis Kang (30-10-2). They aptly describe his fighting style as well as his demeanor outside of the cage. Kang makes his own rules and he believes that eventually, things have a way of falling into place.
I first met Denis in early 2002, when I was part of a partnership tasked with putting together "Team Canada" for the Abu Dhabi Submission Grappling World Championships. I sent word out to all jiu-jitsu and submission grappling gyms across Canada that we would be holding an invitational tournament at Brock University, whereby the winners would advance to the North American Championships. I will never forget the vision I saw early that morning as fighters were weighing in and fans were filing in. Mike McNeil, my partner in putting on the event, tugged at my arm and said, "You will not believe me when I tell you who just showed up to compete."
Before I even had the chance to ask "who?" he directed my attention to the top of the rafters, where I saw a figure wearing a black hoodie, surrounded by an entourage of people I knew very well. As I began to decipher who the hooded person was, McNeil smiled and said, "It's Denis Kang. He traveled from B.C. all the way here for a chance to make the team. Unbelievable." Here was a gifted grappler, a sensation under the Marco Soares BJJ Team, who paid his own way from B.C. to Ontario to step onto the mats in an attempt to qualify for the world championships. That was my first taste of what type of character Kang had, and it only got better from there.
The weeks leading up to the event were filled with fighters who were whining about the location and having to "qualify" to make the team, but here was Kang, one of the best in the country, following due diligence and understanding that you need to compete to earn your spot. He saw me looking at him and as I made my way to the rafters to introduce myself, he immediately got up, smiled and met me halfway. As I shook his hand, he beat me to the punch and introduced himself, while thanking me for giving him the chance to shine. I was dumbfounded.
Kang joined the likes of UFC fighter Mark Bocek in winning their divisions and qualifying for the North American trials in San Diego, Calif. During our time in San Diego, Kang introduced me to so many different things that I had never experienced in my life; to this day, all items I relate back to him. From avocadoes to guacamole and introducing me to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I learned Kang was a cultured soul, who was much more than a fighter. Ironically, I also learned that if you are running on a treadmill next to him, you better keep up, as he doesn't tolerate a slow pace.
Kang's development as a man stems from being the byproduct of a Korean father and a French mother, and he is the first one to tell you he represents both everywhere he goes. At the age of 11, his family relocated from the colony of Saint Pierre and Miquelon to North Vancouver, adding Canada as a third country to the list of nations he represents when he fights. For Kang, being proud of your roots is of the utmost importance, while keeping a grounded and level head comes naturally to the middleweight sensation.
I remember bringing Kang in to fight for me in October 2002, while I was with the Universal Combat Challenge. I was originally disappointed when he was matched up against another friend of mine, in Joe Doerksen, but little did I realize that their fight would go down as one of the most epic battles between two of the country's greatest middleweights ever. Back and forth they went, striking and grappling; it was an all-out war before Kang got caught in a Doerksen triangle. If you have never seen the fight, it is truly one for the ages and is not very difficult to find online.
Kang's career began to blossom the following year as he began an unprecedented run of going undefeated in 24 straight bouts. The streak lasted 3 1/2 years, from 2003 to 2006, and his name became synonymous with the best the middleweight division had to offer. Kang stuck to fighting overseas in Japan and Korea, becoming a huge star in the Orient and enjoying every minute of it. But there was always a yearning inside to fight for the organization that has the octagon-shaped cage -- the UFC.
Kang's patience ran thin on numerous occasions as he was close to signing with the UFC. Just as he could taste it, the rug was pulled from under him for a variety of reasons. After 10 years of plying his trade all over the world, Kang finally got his wish. On November 3rd, the UFC announced they had signed Kang to a four-fight contract, infusing a stud middleweight into a quickly developing middleweight division.
He has been on the UFC's radar for quite some time, as I have been asking a variety of staff from the organization their thoughts on him as a fighter. "Timing" was often a response I would get, and thankfully for MMA fans, the timing is right. For all the critics that state the UFC needs to challenge Anderson Silva, it appears they have all toned down their criticism as a new force has entered the UFC. An overwhelming wave of agreement has swept over the MMA media and is now being replaced with the anticipation of Kang's debut in the Octagon.
If all the stars align, look for Kang to make his debut on the same card as one of his training partners, Georges St. Pierre during Super Bowl weekend. As for who his first opponent may be, it all depends on what plans the UFC have for him. Kang was a guest on my Fan 590 radio show Thursday night and I asked him what he thinks the UFC has in store for him, be it a slow building exercise or throwing him right into the fire.
To Kang, it makes no difference. "I want to get in there and fight healthy competition right away. This is why I chose the UFC. The division is getting so deep right now and a lot of good guys are moving towards (the UFC). But of course, it's up to them"
With the UFC's middleweight division housing three other Canadian fighters, Kang is fully aware that he may be forced to fight the likes of Jason MacDonald, Patrick Cote and Jason Day, but hopes their paths do not cross. "I hope not. I really hope I don't have to fight good friends like JayMac or Patrick. I hope we can all find our own ways to the championship."
If there is one person Kang would like to tangle with, it is the UFC's U.K. poster child, Michael Bisping. "I think that's a good fight. I'd love to fight Michael Bisping", stated Kang, sounding like he was salivating at the opportunity to battle it out with "The Count." But the real goal is the top of the division, and the chance to step into the Octagon with current UFC middleweight champion Anderson (The Spider) Silva.
I asked Kang for his thoughts on Silva as a fighter, and without missing a beat, he broke down the type of game the champ showcases. "Anderson Silva likes to counter, to pot shot, to just sit back and wait and let you come in and then counter off that with his long reach."
As for setting up a gameplan to fight Silva, Kang did not want to give too much away but did foreshadow what he would do if given the opportunity. "I'll have to mix it up. With Anderson Silva, strategy plays a real important factor. Of course there are individual strengths and weaknesses, but you got to have a real gameplan. You need a schedule inside the fight and when you are timing what you are going to execute within the rounds."
The time is right for Kang to execute a ten-year dream of fighting for the UFC. His patience has paid off and as many hardcore MMA fans know, the UFC's middleweight division better be ready, as "The Wrath Of Kang" will commence in early 2009.
