Issue 049
May 2009
With a physique that looks like it’s been chiselled out of ebony, Cheick Kongo cuts an imposing figure. The massive French kickboxer is blazing his way through the UFC and dreams of holding the heavyweight title. Do you want to get in his way?
Writen by Stash Capar
They say every fighter remembers his first knockout. UFC heavyweight Cheick ‘Kongo’ Ouedraogo is no exception. The Frenchman remembers the moment quite clearly, even after 20-odd years of fighting for a living.
But unlike the many fighters who love to brag about their striking prowess, the humble giant prefers not to go into detail regarding the incident. In fact, Kongo’s first KO was a moment he wishes he could forget. “It was in a street fight,” says Kongo. “A long time ago, when my living conditions were very different. There were many people involved, and it got very ugly. I regret that it happened and I try not to think about it anymore.”
Life was never easy for Kongo. Born to a Congolese mother, his Burkinabe father abandoned the family when Kongo was very young. His early years in Paris were difficult, but from the age of five Kongo started training in traditional martial arts, which he partly credits for shaping him into the man he is today.
The other part goes to his mother, who Kongo loves dearly and describes as both a pillar of support and a great friend. Upon starting his career, the Muay Thai stylist changed his surname from Ouedraogo to Kongo as a sign of respect to his mother’s Congolese roots.
“I have no connection to my father,” says Kongo. “But my mother has always been there for me, from the very beginning of my career. It’s hard for her to watch me fight. She hates it when I get all bloody and bruised, but I have her support in everything I do. She’s been a very good mother.”
Few mixed martial artists are as polite, positive and pleasant to be around. While he may be a devastating striker within the Octagon, outside it Kongo is a gentle giant who takes as much pleasure in doing an interview as he does in finishing fights.
“There were many difficult times in my career,” says Kongo. “Many occasions when I doubted myself. I gave everything for this sport, and I’ve been through it all: bad trainers, racism, greedy promoters. But I won’t let those experiences sour me, or make me hateful. I’ve always tried to be a good fighter, but also a humble and gentle person. I really want to be remembered for both of those things.”
In 2001, following a successful Muay Thai and amateur MMA career, Kongo jumped head first into the world of professional mixed martial arts. However, because MMA was illegal in France, the Parisian was forced to make regular trips to Holland in order to build up his name. Within a couple of years, he was a standout fighter in the Rings and ‘It’s Showtime’ promotions, even battling veterans such as Rodney Faverus and Gilbert Yvel (the latter being the only man to have ever stopped him).
After a string of brutal KOs in 2006, the big call came. Kongo was to become France’s great UFC hope. The American promotion was quick to hype up the Frenchman’s striking skills, and Kongo didn’t disappoint. In his UFC debut he laid waste to Gilbert Aldana, ending the American’s UFC career within the first round. One month later he returned with another brutal knockout, this time over Christian Wellisch. Unfortunately the good times didn’t last, as Kongo’s lack of a ground game was exposed in late 2006 when he came head-to-head with UFC newcomer Carmelo Marrero.
Despite Kongo landing some good strikes, Marrero managed to spend most of the fight controlling the Frenchman from top position. It was a lacklustre fight, and one that caused many Americans to lose faith in the French sensation, or to brush him off as a one-trick pony.
Disappointed, Kongo disappeared from the UFC for half a year, during which time he focussed his energies on his weaknesses. At 31years of age it may have been too late to become a submissions wizard, but developing a good sprawl and strategies to get the fight standing were still very doable.
“My training since that loss has been great,” says Kongo. “I’ve become very confident, especially in my wrestling. I’ve been spending a lot of time in America with Quinton Jackson, but also with the Wolfslair team (UK home of Michael Bisping). I get an opportunity to work on my weaknesses with some of the best. It’s been absolutely great.”
With impressive wins over Croatian headhunter Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic and Norwegian veteran Dan Evensen, Kongo’s goal is clear: to get a shot at the UFC heavyweight title. But is the stunning striker ready to take on the likes of Frank Mir, Brock Lesnar or Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira?
“I’m ready!” says Kongo. “Let me have the title shot! If I could go straight to a title shot, I would. I’m getting old. I started fighting professionally at 27, and I still have some time left, but I have to focus on winning. I want that title!”
With his latest victory against former Cage Rage heavyweight champion Mustapha Al-Turk at UFC 92, Kongo is one step closer to a UFC title shot. The matchup, a classic throwback to striker vs grappler, was short-lived but exciting, with Kongo not only demolishing Al-Turk, but also leaving him with a huge gash above his right eye.
“Mustapha Al-Turk’s a strong wrestler,” says Kongo. “I have nothing bad to say about him. He’s a tough guy, but I was very confident, and my training paid off.”
Besides being a promising UFC fighter, Kongo has recently been involved in improving the image of his beloved sport in his homeland. Though France legalised MMA competitions last year, the sport continues to attract a lot of negative attention, adding to the frustration of French fighters and fans alike. Progress is being made, but at a snail’s pace, with MMA seemingly miles away from the mainstream. Always the optimist, Kongo is confident that this will change with time.
“Lots of people [in France] say MMA is a ‘bad-boy sport’,” says Kongo. “But years ago it was the same with Muay Thai, and karate before that. Things will change. I think MMA is truly an international sport. It doesn’t belong to any one country. It’ll be accepted in France one day.”
One of the major problems is the complete disregard of France’s top MMA fighters, the majority who are mostly unknown by their countrymen. Although he’s considered by many to be a top-level heavyweight, Kongo remains known only to a very small group in his native land. That changes very quickly when the Frenchman sets foot on American soil, where his powerful striking and impressive physique have won him legions of fans – often in the oddest of places.
“The first time I was ever recognised was in an American airport,” says Kongo. “I was mobbed by workers who all wanted pictures. They stopped working and ran up to me yelling, ‘You’re Cheick Kongo!’ It’s another dimension in America. In France someone might occasionally say ‘I think I’ve seen you before’, but that’s it.”
Not that it bothers Kongo, who enjoys his peace, quiet, and time alone with the family. To him, fighting is a career and a passion, but definitely not a means to celebrity. The heavyweight belt represents a personal goal, one he’s been working for his whole life.
“To me it doesn’t matter who’s holding the belt,” says Kongo. “It can be Lesnar or Mir, I will find a way to beat them. But I really hope I get my chance soon. Physically, I’m getting better every day, and psychologically I’ve been ready for a while. I think about the title every day. It’s in my dreams.”
Whether or not Kongo becomes a UFC champion, there is no doubt that he will continue to impress for years to come as one of the best strikers in the UFC heavyweight division. Fans will always want knockouts, and Kongo is the best man to deliver them as far as the heavyweights go. But more importantly, the Frenchman is a true example of how a professional fighter should behave: relentless in the cage, but humble, honest and professional outside of it. Kongo is truly a gentle giant, one that many fighters could learn a thing or two from.
CHEICK KONGO'S GREATEST HITS
The 6’4” striker doesn’t profess to be the owner of a perfect record, but he does have the ability to take out heavyweights with a variety of brutal finishes. Take a look at Kongo’s wins in the Octagon.
Win over Gilbert Aldana via TKO, UFC 61, 8 July 2006
Kongo’s debut in the UFC was a swift and crushing win over Aldana.
Win over Christian Wellisch via KO, UFC 62, 26 August 2006
The Frenchman followed with another brutal stoppage, this time over the grappler Wellisch.
Win over Assuerio Silva via Decision, UFC 70, 21 April 2007
Kongo struggled to overcome the wrestling skills of Assuerio Silva, but walked away with a majority decision in Manchester, UK.
Win over Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic via Decision, UFC 75, 8 September 2007
His biggest win so far, Kongo out-struck the fearsome Croatian for a unanimous decision.
Win over Dan Evensen via TKO, UFC 87, 9 August 2008
Norwegian Dan Evenson started well but succumbed to a barrage of blows in the first round.
Win over Mustapha Al-Turk via TKO, UFC 92, 27 December 2008
The highly touted Londoner, Al-Turk found Kongo impossible to take down. Kongo stopped him with ground ‘n pound in the first.
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