"I've been training Babalu and Vinny
I wanted to be a teacher. When you're a fighter, you're selfish because you just take, but now, as I trainer, I get the chance to give. I like that part because it's not about me anymore; it's about them," stated legendary kickboxing and Muay Thai champion Rob Kaman as he talked about his work with Renato "Babalu" Sobral, Vinny Magalhaes and much more. Check it out!
PC: It's an honor to speak to you Rob. Thanks for your time.
RK: Thank you!
PC: How is everything going?
RK: Good. We're driving out to Vegas; me and my son.
PC: Are you training someone out there?
RK: No, I just have a meeting out here.
PC: How does it make you feel when you hear people say you are the greatest kickboxer ever?
RK: (Laughing) It's an honor. The greatest kickboxer ever, thank you!
PC: Traditional kickboxing has taken a backseat to mixed martial arts. Why do you think that is?
RK: Yeah it has, but all MMA fighters want to use standup now and they need to use standup so I think it will come back. I think it will be a mixture and some people will do both the more they're educated on standup.
PC: We've seen some kickboxers try to make the transition over to MMA; some successful and others are not. What do you think it takes to make a smooth transition over to MMA?
RK: You have to have a good Jiu Jitsu trainer
I think it's hard. It's easier to transition from wrestling to MMA than standup to MMA. Once you have a good ground game, you can throw kicks and you can do everything and you can afford to go to the ground. But for any standup guy, it's really hard to go to the ground because you've never been there and you don't have that base.
PC: Have you ever thought about fighting in traditional boxing or MMA?
RK: (Laughing) No. It would be nice to have a great champion kickboxer fight in MMA rules though. That would be nice. I never learned any Jiu Jitsu.
PC: A lot of people feel Brandon Vera hasn't been the same since he stopped training with you. What happened between you guys?
RK: His manager fucked me over and he then stood behind him and that's why I left.
PC: Are you currently training any MMA fighters?
RK: I've been training Babalu and Vinny, who came in 2nd on "The Ultimate Fighter."
PC: Oh, Vinny Magalhaes.
RK: Yeah, they sent me an email and wanted to train so he's down. His manager called me and they wanted to come to LA to train. We've been in the gym going slowly, but we're about to pick it up again here.
PC: What keeps you motivated to train guys in the sport, Rob?
RK: I wanted to be a teacher. When you're a fighter, you're selfish because you just take, but now, as I trainer, I get the chance to give. I like that part because it's not about me anymore; it's about them.
PC: I know you were big on technique in your fighting days and you mastered the low kick. What would you say was your favorite technique?
RK: Oh, I have many. My leg kicks were definitely up there. I liked the left hook, right hand, so yeah, I had many.
PC: Do you see any devastating leg kickers in the game today?
RK: No, not really. They throw 1 or 2 leg kicks and then they're done, you understand? I had Brandon doing it really good, but it takes focus and a gameplan to go in and take somebody out with leg kicks. You have to get confident with it and land on the right part of the leg at the right moment.
PC: There are just not enough guys to use it consistently in your opinion then?
RK: Yeah! And they don't set it up. It's like boxing; you set people up for something. It's like you jab, jab and then the right hand comes. It's the same with kickboxing. You use combination boxing to set up the leg kick, you understand?
PC: I understand you've had some Zone Healing done in the past from Dr. Goldman. How has that helped you out?
RK: It helped out a lot. I had a herniated disc in my neck and after a couple of visits with Dr. Pete, I was as good as new. He is the most effective healer I've ever met and is number 1 in my book. His methods are very effective.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]