Toby Imada on Andy Souwer Win: "I didn't have any expectations."
The fall of Andy Souwer at Tuesday's Shootboxing S-Cup to Bellator's Toby Imada was a shock and a half to the kickboxing world. A fighter not known for his stand up skills went into an elite kickboxing tournament (well, Shoot Boxing, kickboxing with throws and standing submissions) and was able to use his grappling to overcome one of the most elite fighters in the division. Daniel Herbertson of MMAFighting.com was there live and posted the post-fight statements from Imada.
"As far as my match with Buakaw, it's not easy on the body. It's very hard. By the time that third fight came around my body had taken some punishment and I tried as much as I could but unfortunately my leg couldn't take any more."
Imada has become somewhat of a tournament specialist, competing in Bellator's 2009 and 2010 lightweight tournaments and like his Shoot Boxing S-Cup run, Imada exceeded expectations but lost in the finals of both.
"I didn't have any expectations. I just know that I needed to go out and fight and not give up and just find a way just like my other MMA fights. I needed to find a way and not give up. It's been a very successful mindset for me. I could have gone another round if my leg was ok. I wasn't afraid. I can't allow myself to give up. If I cannot go any further then that's one thing but I just can't give up. I'm proud, it's in me."
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If you want to see the interview for yourself
Shootboxing has it up on their youtube page. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p2c9HbrtOM

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