At UFC 93, Denis Kang to finally debut for the UFC

By MMA Fighting - Author

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Canadian middleweight Denis Kang has fought professionally around the world for over ten years, yet he's still a relative unknown in the US.

That might change in less than two weeks when Kang (31-10-1) makes his long-awaited UFC debut on pay-per-view against Alan Belcher (13-5) at UFC 93 in Dublin, Ireland.

"I'm happy about it," Kang said in an interview with the Between Rounds Radio Show. "[Belcher is] a good opponent for me. The UFC has been on my radar for a long time. Everyone knows for the last few years I've been fighting in Japan in PRIDE, HERO's and DREAM, but I think it was time for me to head over the UFC."

For Kang there were a few things that he was unhappy with in Japan and without getting into specific details, said he "wanted to experience a new level in professionalism."

Securing a VISA has also been an issue for Kang, who unable to train with his own team, the American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, remains in Montreal for his training.

Kang, who signed a four-fight contract with the UFC in December, named Demian Maia, Thales Leities, Rousimar Palhares and Drew McFedries as exciting middleweights that he's looking forward to mixing it up.

But with fellow Canadian training partners Jason MacDonald and David Loiseau also on the UFC roster, he has only one exception.

"I just don't want to fight friends if I can avoid it," Kang said.

Like any other middleweight, Kang's ultimate goal is the belt, which means a contest with the seemingly unstoppable Anderson Silva.

"Like any other fight he's human," Kang said. "He's got his holes, he's got weaknesses. I think until anyone exploits them he's going to remain in that aura of invincibility, but I really don't think he is invincible."

Until he's ready to wait for that phone call, Kang acknowledges that he needs to push his way up the ladder first.

"I still need to prove myself in the UFC. I can't just come in there and do a Brock Lesnar and get two fights and get a title shot right away."

Between Round Radio Show is the official radio partner of MMAFighting.com. Taped episodes of the show, hosted by David Hiza, Ken Gonzalez and Xtreme Couture's Shawn Tompkins, are available every Tuesday afternoon on MMAFighting.com.

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