In honor of hip hop superstar Ludacris who attended the CXF 7 show in April, CXF brings you a quick Q and A from the 8 California combatants representing their respective area codes in the CALI KING Tournament. All 8 men are scheduled to step into the cage for this Saturday’s opening round of the CXF: CALI KINGS round robin tournament for California Lightweight supremacy. Here is what they had to say.
Ludacris with several fans at a recent CXF event.
Joshua Jones – Representing the 562
Follow Joshua Jones on Instagram: @mothafingjones
Q: What makes you think you can wear the crown of the “Cali King”?
A: “Because I’m Joshua MuthaFing Jones!”
Q: Who do you feel is the toughest opponent in the bracket?
A: “Dom Clark.”
Q: What does it mean to you as a fighter to be part of the “Cali King” tournament?
A: “It means I have respect in the mma community, as a top 155 pounder!”
Q: Your thoughts on fighting for California Xtreme Fighting?
A: “They are an amazing promotion, they have an amazing staff. I can’t say enough good things about CXF and the people that make California Xtreme Fighting happen!”
Thor “TNT” Skancke (9-7 MMA) – Representing the 818
Follow Thor Skancke on Instagram: @thor818
Q: What makes you think you can wear the crown of the “Cali King”?
A: “I’m the only one with one punch KO power in both hands and feet.”
Q: Who do you feel is the toughest opponent in the bracket?
A: “Daren Smith Jr.”
Q: What does it mean to you as a fighter to be part of the “Cali King” tournament?
A: “For all my years of hard work. The blood, the sweat and tears have finally led me to this level. Where I am considered to be one of the best fighters in Cali. It’s a great honor.”
Q: Your thoughts on fighting for California Xtreme Fighting?
A: “CXF is like a family. I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Richard “Mr.” Leroy (4-0 MMA) – Representing the 805
Follow Richard Leroy on Instagram: @richardleroy39
Q: What makes you think you can wear the crown of the “Cali King”?
A: “I think I will wear the King of Cali crown because I work harder than all of these guys and my skill set gets better every time I step in the cage.”
Q: Who do you feel is the toughest opponent in the bracket?
A: “All of them are tough, there are no easy fights here. I don’t look at any of them tougher than the next, I will just find a way to beat them. Jalin has a very long reach so he is dangerous in that aspect.”
Q: What does it mean to you as a fighter to be part of the “Cali King” tournament?
A: “It means a lot to me to be in this tournament, it is a huge honor. I dream of being a champion and to be in a tournament with some guys that have been fighting for a while, it will be an honor to share the stage with such high level fighters.”
Q: Your thoughts on fighting for California Xtreme Fighting
A: “There is no other local promotion I’d rather fight for than CXF. I have enjoyed fighting for them and watching some great fights they have put together.”
Shohei “Keji Tora” Yamamoto – Representing the 619
Follow Shohei Yamamoto on Instagram: @heyshowhey
Q: What makes you think you can wear the crown of the “Cali King”?
A: “I have the right skill set and frame of mind to hold up the crown of the “Cali King. All these years of effort will be put to the test and I am willing to encounter any obstacles in my way.”
Q: Who do you feel is the toughest opponent in the bracket?
A: “This “Cali King” tournament will filter out those that aren’t ready for this kind of competition. Although I don’t take anyone willing to participate in this tournament lightly, the biggest opponent has always been the battle within oneself.”
Q: What does it mean to you as a fighter to be part of the “Cali King” tournament?
A: “It is another way of proving that I have the skill set to be one of the best fighters out there and I am looking forward to be a part of this tournament”
Q: Your thoughts on fighting for California Xtreme Fighting?
A: “This will be another opportunity for myself to showcase my existence. Winning this will bring new opportunities to my career and I’m willing to take it.”
Roosevelt “GoGetta” Roberts – Representing the 209
Follow Roosevelt Roberts on Instagram: @thepredator_roberts
Q: What makes you think you can wear the crown of the “Cali King”?
A: “Cause I consider myself 1 of the best 155er in the area.”
Q: Who do you feel is the toughest opponent in the bracket?
A: “My toughest opponent would be Jalin Turner.”
Q: What does it mean to you as a fighter to be part of the “Cali King” tournament?
A: “It means a lot to have a opportunity to fight in a 8 man tournament with some of the best 155ers in Cali.”
Q: Your thoughts on fighting for California Xtreme Fighting?
A: “Well, I been trying to get on CXF for a while now and the only person that they seem to find for me is a guy with a lot more experience but a lot of experience or not I’m in it to win it!”
Darren “Hollywood” Smith – Representing the 714
Follow Darren Smith on Instagram: @Hollywood3323
Q: What makes you think you can wear the crown of the “Cali King”?
A: “I have all the skill and heart to be the Cali King. Now it’s just pricing it to everybody else.”
Q: Who do you feel is the toughest opponent in the bracket?
A: “The toughest guy In the bracket would probably be Dominic Clark.”
Q: What does it mean to you as a fighter to be part of the “Cali King” tournament?
A: “To be apart of this tournament means to be held as the elite lightweights in the regional scene.”
Q: Your thoughts on fighting for California Xtreme Fighting?
A: “Excited to finally be apart of this great show. CXF always puts on exciting fights and just lucky to be apart of it.”
Jalin “The Tarantula” Turner – Representing the 909
Follow Jalin Turner on Instagram: @thetarantulamma
Q: What makes you think you can wear the crown of the “Cali King”?
A: “I’ve trained with a lot of high level guys and I feel like I’m one of them. I am the King…I just have to prove it to everyone who thinks otherwise.”
Q: Who do you feel is the toughest opponent in the bracket?
A: “Richard Leroy my first match up, and Darren Smith because we’ve trained together.”
Q: What does it mean to you as a fighter to be part of the “Cali King” tournament?
A: “It means I have people who see what I see in myself by giving me the opportunity to prove that I am King.”
Q: Your thoughts on fighting for California Xtreme Fighting?
A: “I’m excited to fight for them. The shows always sell out. I’m thankful for the opportunity to fight for them.”
Dominic “All Day” Clark – Representing the 559 and 310
Follow Dominc Clark on Instagram: @dclark155
Q: What makes you think you can wear the crown of the “Cali King”?
A: “I believe I can wear the crown of CALI KING because of my experience and athleticism. My drive to make it far in this sport is enormous and that will carry me through this tournament over all these tough opponents.”
Q: Who do you feel is the toughest opponent in the bracket?
A: “It’s tough to say who the toughest is without sharing the cage with them, but everyone poses different threats and that’s what is awesome about the collection of fighters in this tournament. Josh Jones,Thor, Darren, and Richard Leroy all have good wrestling with heavy hands. Jain Turner and Roosevelt Roberts are very tall and lanky 155ers that love to throw strikes, and Shohei is a dynamic striker with catch wrestling. No easy picking in this tournament and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Q: What does it mean to you as a fighter to be part of the “Cali King” tournament?
A: “Being a part of this tournament means a lot to me, I believe that winning this tournament and doing it with style will be the validation needed to make it to the big show. That is and has always has been my goal and I would love to win the CALI KINGS Crown and represent CXF on the biggest stages in the world whether that be UFC, BELLATOR, or ONE FC.”
Q: Your thoughts on fighting for California Xtreme Fighting?
A: “Fighting for CXF in general has been an amazing experience for me. Obviously CXF will always be my family. I am a former champion and my family started in that cage after winning CXF gold and proposing to current wife. I’ve always been treated with great respect from George and the entire CXF Staff. Any problems that arise they always try to figure it out the best way for the fighters. They put the fighters first and that’s rare on the regional scene. Looking forward to making history!!!”
ickets for CXF 8: CALI KINGS presented by LIGHTS OUT PROMOTIONS and BASH ENTERTAINMENT can be purchased online www.MMATIXX.com or at the BURBANK MARRIOTT CONVENTION CENTER on fight night.
