Michal Kuzma: Bronze from the world championship is the result of long-term work and belief

Author: Mgr. Ing. Marek Herda

1. Michal, you have become a historic bronze medallist at the IMMAF World Championships. Have you had time to realise what you have achieved? Which feelings dominate?
A few days have passed and my feelings are mixed. It is a huge honour, joy and gratitude, but also disappointment and sadness, especially after the semi-final, which in my eyes I won. I was the better fighter in two of the three rounds, but unfortunately the referees saw it differently. „Everything is as it should be.“

2. Let’s go back to the beginning. How did you get into MMA, who brought you to this sport, and when did you decide you wanted to one day stand against the best fighters in the world?
My very good friend Paľko brought me into MMA. After a few first trainings in the basement of his flat block, he took me to our gym, Laugaricio Combat Club Trenčín. I stayed after my first session and I am still there today.

3. When you were leaving for Georgia, what were your expectations for the world championship? Did you believe you could return home with a medal?
My expectations and plans were to return home as world champion at 65.8 kg and to put a nice full stop on my amateur career. But the plans changed during the trip, and after arriving I learned that I would compete at 74.8 kg.

4. At the world championships you competed in a higher weight category than your natural one. How much did you feel this difference, and what was most demanding in fights against heavier opponents?
I fought at 74.8 kg, although the original plan was to compete at 65.8 kg, and my weight at departure was adjusted to that. Before the flight I had more than a month of dieting and weight loss. In the fights the strength and size difference against my opponents was felt, but I am grateful for this experience, because it showed me that I can fight and win against the best in the world, not only in my own category but also in weight classes above my natural one.

5. On the way to the semi-final you delivered several fantastic performances, including a win by triangle choke. Which fight was the hardest for you, and which one will you most like to remember?
The fight I will remember for a long time, and which was also my hardest, was the fight against Uzbekistan. There I reached the very bottom of my physical strength.

6. The semi-final against the Angolan representative was extremely dramatic. How did you experience that fight inside the cage? Did you have a moment when you felt the final was within reach?
The semi-final was very demanding. In the first round the opponent was extremely strong, and it was more or less a fight to survive into the second round. From the second round the fight was under my control. In the second round I outboxed my opponent, but at the end of the round I took a hard punch that buckled my knees. I managed to tie up and take the opponent to the ground. In the third round I controlled the opponent on the ground for the whole round. From my point of view I won the fight, but the referees saw it differently, so, as I said at the beginning, „everything is as it should be.“

7. After the semi-final you smilingly recalled that at one point you did not really know who you were fighting. What do you remember from this demanding bout, and how do you assess it now that the first emotions have faded?
Looking back now I remember all the moments, but right after the fight it was pure madness. The punch I took at the end of the second round shook me badly, and after the fight I did not know where north was for about half an hour. During that time I even asked my coach whether my opponent from Russia had hit me, and I was told I had been fighting the representative of Angola.

8. You were very close to reaching the final. What bothered you most after the fight? And have you already been able to swap the disappointment from the defeat for the joy of the bronze medal?
Nothing bothers me. I did my best, I fought as well as I could and left everything there, despite all the obstacles and the fact that I was competing two weight classes higher. I am only disappointed by the points decision in the semi-final, as I mentioned before.

9. Your personal coach Vladimír Lendvay accompanies you on your sporting journey. What does he mean to you, and what role did he play in this historic achievement?
My coach Vladko Lendvay has been with me since the very beginning of my path as a fighter. He is shaping me as a person and as a fighter, guiding me, teaching me and raising me. He is my role model, inspiration and motivation, and I regard him as a member of my family. Without him I would not be where I am.

10. At the championship you were also accompanied by national team coach Richard Konc. How did cooperation with the coaches work, and what helped you most in the difficult moments between fights?
Yes, throughout the tournament I had not only Vladko but also Riško Konc by my side. For that he deserves a huge THANK YOU, for his attitude and professionalism, which he showed throughout the championship, both during the fights and outside them. I think this championship strengthened our relationships, and I look forward to what the future brings us.

11. What did it mean to you to represent Slovakia at the highest world amateur level? Did you feel the support of fans, family and people back home in Slovakia?
Representing Slovakia is a huge honour and at the same time a responsibility. I am grateful for this opportunity.

12. You achieved this success in a higher weight category. Richard Konc said that if you return to 65.8 kg you will cause quite a stir there. How do you see it? Is a return to this category your next goal?
The 65.8 kg category is my natural one, so I am really looking forward to competing in it again, and I believe I will fulfil Riško’s words.

13. What will follow after the world championship? Do you want to continue in amateur MMA and fight for world gold, or are you already considering a professional career?
Now I have a few days of rest and then back to work. Together with my coach we have some plans, visions and dreams, so we will see.

14. What did you have to sacrifice to get this far? Were there moments in your career when you doubted whether all that hard work made sense?
I do not see it as sacrificing anything. I do what I love and what I enjoy, and I am grateful that I can do it. Of course I have had difficult moments and periods, but I have a great team of people and family around me who always support me and are here with me, so this result is thanks to all of us.

15. Today you are a historic medallist and a role model for young fighters. What would you say to the boys and girls who are just starting with MMA and dream of similar success?
Never give up.

16. And finally, to whom would you like to dedicate this historic medal, and whom would you like to thank?
A huge thank you goes to my team LCC FAMILY, to my family and to God. This medal belongs to all of us. THANK YOU.