Questions and Answers
Interviewer: It`s been a year since your last GLORY fight, a title loss to Donovan Wisse. How have you been, and what have you learned or done since that defeat?
Sergej Braun: In April of this year, I fought at home and successfully defended my WAKO World Championship title for the fourth time. The fight against Donovan Wisse only made me stronger. I recognized that I still need to adjust a few things to return even more formidable.
Interviewer: You are a Kyokushin Karate fighter who transitioned into kickboxing. In the history of the sport, a handful of non-Japanese fighters successfully made this transition, such as K-1 World Grand Prix winners Andy Hug and Semmy Schilt, and legends like Glaube Feitosa, Nicolas Pettas, and Francisco Filho. Did these fighters inspire you to become the fighter you are today? If so, how?
Sergej Braun: When I was 13, I sat in front of the TV every Monday because that`s when the K-1 Grand Prix fights were broadcast in our country. Watching all those men from Kyokushin Karate compete always moved me emotionally. I consistently thought to myself, “I will be just like those guys.” These men inspired me profoundly. They remain huge role models for me. At Senshi, I was fortunate enough to meet all of them in person, except for Andy Hug, who unfortunately passed away far too soon.
Interviewer: At GLORY 104, you will face Iliass Hammouche, a Dutch-Moroccan kickboxer with a high-paced Dutch kickboxing style. First, what do you think of him, and second, how did you prepare for this fight?
Sergej Braun: He is a good fighter, and at GLORY 104, two different styles will clash. I`m really looking forward to the fight. I`m preparing very hard, as always. He recently fought a very good friend of mine, Mesud Selimovic. The two of them put on a great fight. I`m looking forward to meeting a well-prepared Iliass Hammouche in the ring.
Interviewer: That was one of the craziest fights of the year. Hammouche knocked Selimović down twice before getting knocked out with a spinning backfist. What did you think of that fight, and did it help you prepare for your match with Hammouche?
Sergej Braun: I think both of them delivered a very good fight. It was very emotional and truly touched me. I also expected that there would be a rematch between the two guys because they definitely deserve it. Of course, I watched that fight to identify his strengths.
Interviewer: You`ll be fighting Hammouche in his home country. The audience in the arena will most likely be against you. How does this affect you mentally, and what will your mindset be when you enter the ring?
Sergej Braun: By now, I`m accustomed to fighting in The Netherlands with the whole crowd against me. So far, we`ve always managed to win the audience over to our side after the fight. I think it`s great that people support their fighters so strongly. I`m a guest there, and of course, it`s clear that I have to do much more to earn a victory than my opponent, who fights in front of his home crowd.
Interviewer: Do you think your fight with Hammouche will be crazy too? And I have to ask this: do you think the fight ends with a knockout?
Sergej Braun: I will give everything from my side to deliver a strong fight. I also hope he is ready for it. I will give my all to leave this fight as the winner.
Interviewer: According to GLORY`s website, you are the number 3-ranked Middleweight on the roster, while Iliass Hammouche isn`t ranked at all. Do you think you deserved a fight with someone from the top 5? For example, a rematch with Serkan Ozcaglayan or a trilogy fight with Michael Boapeah?
Sergej Braun: I also expected to get a fight against one of those three guys, but I was very surprised when they gave me Iliass Hammouche as my opponent. Touchassie loudly called me out after his last fight [against Serkan Ozcaglayan]. I would have no problem having a second fight against him.
Interviewer: If you defeat Iliass Hammouche, who do you want next and why?
Sergej Braun: My ultimate goal is the GLORY Middleweight title (85 kg)!
Interviewer: Have you been watching the GLORY Last Heavyweight Standing tournament? You are known for spectacular techniques. In your match with Mohamed Touchassie, you broke his jaw with a spinning back kick, dubbed the `Braun Buster`. Did you see Levi Rigters` spinning back kick knockout over Jamal Ben Saddik? What did you think of his technique and the knockout?
Sergej Braun: I saw the fight and I think it’s great that the guys are trying out new techniques, because that makes our sport much more spectacular. For the audience, I believe it’s very exciting to see such unexpected things, which also have a big impact.
Interviewer: Can we have a prediction: Who do you think wins the Last Heavyweight Standing tournament?
Sergej Braun: It is very hard to say who will win the tournament. All of the guys are very strong. In a tournament, a lot also depends on how much luck you have in order not to get injured, to move on to the next rounds, and to win. I wish everyone an injury-free tournament, and may the better man win.
Interviewer: This year, GLORY has been focusing a lot on the heavyweight division, resulting in fewer fights for other divisions, leaving many fighters frustrated due to the lack of bouts. Some even left GLORY. What do you think of this? And what does it mean to you that you get a chance to fight at GLORY 104?
Sergej Braun: It is important that fighters compete regularly in order to show a good level of fights. You need at least four fights a year to stay active as a fighter. Less than that, unfortunately, doesn’t make sense. I think it’s a shame that the other divisions don’t get the opportunity to fight more often at GLORY. Personally, I haven’t fought for a whole year at GLORY now. I would like to see the other weight classes get the same attention as the heavyweights, so that the fighters can also develop well.
Interviewer: Fans have been asking for a tournament in the Middleweight division for a while now. It would be the first GLORY 8-man Middleweight tournament since GLORY Last Man Standing in 2014. Imagine a tournament with fighters like Donovan Wisse, Michael Boapeah, Ulric Bokeme, Serkan Ozcaglayan, and yourself. Is this something that interests you? And why (not)?
Sergej Braun: I would really love to have an 8-man tournament in our weight division. A tournament is very exciting not only for the fans but also for the fighters, because you really need a lot of luck to get through the rounds without injuries. I hope that in the next few months we will see a tournament take place in our weight class.
Interviewer: At 36 years old, you are one of the oldest kickboxers on the roster. You are a veteran of the sport. What is your goal in kickboxing going into the future?
Sergej Braun: My goal is to be a great role model for my children and my students, and to show them that in life you must never give up as long as you are breathing.
Interviewer: Lastly, what do you want to say to your fans?
Sergej Braun: Enjoy life and be good role models for the young generation.
Oliver Croft