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While international superstar Denis Kang enjoys the summer off, preparing for his return to the cage, he found the time to sit down with MMA Spot???s J. Andrew Yount to discuss his adjustment to the Octagon, his training, and the people that have influenced his career. Kang shares some interesting thoughts on cutting down to welterweight and fight- ing in front of fans in Korea and Japan.

Star-divide

Spot: What have you been focusing on (strategy) since coming to the UFC?
Kang: How to use elbows more effectively and utilizing the cage to my advantage.

Spot: As a veteran fighter who has been around the world, how has each market (U.S./Asia) changed over the years?
Kang: Before, the sport was not very well known or accepted. People still saw us as "fringe" athletes or just wannabe boxers/street fighters. Now that the sport is mainstream, we are recognized as real athletes. It???s great to finally be respected, and for people to understand the discipline that goes into the training.

Spot: Do you have to cut much weight to fight at 185 (middleweight)? Has there ever been a time that you considered 170 lbs (welterweight)?
Kang: When I???m training for a fight I walk around at 200-205, so I don???t consider that a hard cut because I start about 10 days out. I once considered fighting at 170 but realized I would have to be "meth-head" skinny to make it.

Full Interview: MMA Spot