by Will Gray
September 24th marks the beginning of the DREAM bantamweight grand prix and will showcase a quarterfinal match of Japan native and submission specialist Hideo Tokoro against UFC and WEC veteran, Antonio Banuelos. Possessing a record of 18-7, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo wrestler is ready for the task at hand and is not looking past anything or anyone other than the opening round fight he has been preparing and training for this weekend.
FH: Your opponent, Hideo Tokoro has most of his wins coming by way of submission, do you feel that is his ideal gameplan?
Banuelos: I think he will try and take me down and work his jits, it is his strong point. I also think that he will fight his fight and who knows – maybe he will want to stand, that is fine with me too. I am ready for wherever this fight goes. I am so focused on this match and motivated for the win, I am not looking past anything, just this match.
FH: He has lost a majority of his fights by knockout, does that give you confidence in striking with him?
Banuelos: Anything can happen, that’s what it is in a fight so I’m not gonna think too much of it but I am confident that my hands or wrestling or ground game can win that fight.
FH: In your last fight against Miguel Torres, it appeared there was an issue with the height difference. Is that what it was or was it something else?
Banuelos: Miguel is a great fighter and I am not going to take anything away from him, he fought his fight and won. I didn’t do anything that fight, didn’t stick to my gameplan that was set, I didn’t try to do anything – I didn’t fight. It was something to learn from for sure
FH: Was it first time jitters for being in the UFC or going against a former champ like Torres:
Banuelos: I think a lot of it was being in the UFC for the first time. I have been fighting professionally for my entire career and have been in shows and important fights but there is something different about being in the UFC.
FH: Is that the ultimate goal? To get back into the UFC?
Banuelos: Right now, this DREAM match is where my head is, I have a contract with them and cannot fight in Japan with other promotions but will consider other offers after this fight with promotions who want me to fight. When I started to fight, there were not a lot of cards hosting bantamweight fights, we were a small group; The way that WEC and UFC have grown, it is easier to get in with guys for fights at my class
FH: As a bantamweight, will there be any issues with jetlag or weight cutting as you travel to Japan?
Banuelos: Nah, I am a wrestler so I know how to get the weight off, I am close right now and come Friday, I will be ready to cut, if its 6, 7, 10 lbs – whatever it is, I will be ready.
FH: Would you consider dropping to flyweight in the future?
Banuelos: I would look at it if it were worth it, that’s a new division everyone has talked about but there is not a lot of guys in the mix for that class. The last thing I want is top hop from fly-bantamweight, that would make me smaller and I’m already a small bantamweight.
FH: Fighting in Japan, that is considered a birthplace for martial arts and home to numerous legendary MMA events. How does that feel for you?
Banuelos: I am so stoked, amped, psyched about this. Fighting at the Saitima Super Dome that has hosted PRIDE and K-1, the guys who have fought there and everything it represents, it is a total honor. Plus, the Japanese know and love their MMA, so I am looking forward to going out there and fighting and gaining new fans.
FH: Your style is all out, much like Chuck (Liddell), one could assume it is easy for you to gain fans.
Banuelos: Thanks man, that’s how I am, how Chuck was and I looked up to him. You gotta go out there to fight, win lose or draw. I am looking to finish the fight and have gotten caught for it, that happens. But, I am going to fight every time and will continue to do so, I love to do this
FH: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, travel safe and go get the win.
Banuelos: Thank you for having me, thank you to the fans and my team. John (Hackleman) and Chuck wont be able to travel with me, but my jiu jitsu coach Justin Frazier and long time friend and training partner, Cruz Gomez will be out there with me. I am going out to win and make my team, trainer and fans proud.
DREAM 17 will be broadcast live from Saitima, Japan on HDNet, Saturday September 24th from 12:00am – 5:00 am EST
