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About Me: Kirk KO's GSP with 1 Sec Left in Fight!!!
The MMA world was “floored”” last Saturday, June 2nd at the Immortals New York “ INY 19 Hall VS GSP” held at “The Underground”. The underdog, 4-0 Kirk “War” Hall, managed by Jay Bittner, went up against Mateusz Buchholz's 6-0 "Rush" Georges St Pierre for the INY Welterweight Championship. After losing the first 4 rounds by all scorecards, with 1 second left in the final round (yes..I said 1 second left as in 4:59 of the 5th round), Kirk “War” Hall shocked the world by throwing a right hook that would become legendary, and one for the story books. It was a shot that gives hope to every underdog out there. It was a right hook that that made GSP look like overcooked pasta and Kirk "War" Hall the new INY Welterweight Champion. I was so shocked at by this fight, I just HAD to get an interview with Kirk Hall’s manager, Jay Bittner, and here it is:
(DEAN) - Jay, you have an impressive record of 108-37-2. You are also a member of an elite alliance within INY called the "Evil Empire". My question is, “Why haven’t I heard of you before” ??? LOL Most INY followers recognize your fellow members like Peel Steel, Jon Boogi, and Troy Melton. “Where have you been hiding?
(JAY) I don't think many managers have heard of me. Very little self-promotion or socializing with the community. Most of my camp train out of our gym and I try to spread my fighters around to different organizations so that there is no conflict of interest. The camp also broke up and stopped competing for a while, so... This is our comeback. It's going very well.
(DEAN) As of June 2nd, you have 2 fighters with belts .Nice night bro! How many belts do you currently have?
(JAY) There are four current titleholders in Camp Jersey. Of course, Kirk Hall(5-0). Jay Bitaskis(5-0), Joe Belanger(21-5), and Ian Carter(10-5) also hold titles in other promotions, though Bitaskis' is no longer with Illuminati Productions. They ceased operations recently.
(DEAN) What were your thoughts going into the Hall / GSP fight? Did you think you had a chance?
(JAY) I knew Hall had a chance. I knew Hall could KO him. I did think it'd go to the ground, though. I honestly thought it was going to end with Hall landing a triangle or armbar from guard, but Georges did a great job trying to avoid any guard-play and stalling in top position and playing it defensive.
(DEAN) What were your fight plans against GSP, what weakness did you see?
(JAY) He doesn't have much in the way of weaknesses, but I knew Hall is a finisher. He is a killer. As great a control grappler Georges is, I knew all Hall needed was one second. One mistake. That's how he trains and that's how he fights. The fact that it came at the very last second of five rounds makes the whole thing that much more surreal and dramatic.
(DEAN) What did you do the moment you heard the ref say "it's over, winner Hall"!!! Be honest. You literally pissed yourself and let out a "F*ck Yea" or "Praise 8lbs 6 oz Baby Jesus" didn’t you!!
(JAY) Hard not to go nuts with an ending like that. It has to be the most amazing KO I've ever witnessed in what is also a completely relevant and high-end fight between two of the top prospects around. I had to scream didn't you? LOL
(DEAN) Did GSP's manager send you a "Well done, good fight", or a "You are sooooo friggin lucky and a " I hate you" tweet? LOL
(JAY) Hah, no. I have not heard from his manager. I can't imagine seeing that fight from his shoes
(DEAN) With a record like yours as a manager, do you get nervous fighting against other elite managers? I mean let's face it, YOU ARE ELITE yourself... you are in the Top 1% of MMA managers.
(JAY) No, I don't put TOO much stock in other managers. I try to game-plan against the fighter, not the manager. To be honest, though, due to the nature of Camp Jersey's absence and it just now getting back to full steam, we are just now getting back into the really, really big fights.
(DEAN) What kind of relationship do you have with the Evil Empire, and INY. Is it a heated rivalry or more of a friendly bond?
(JAY) It's my alliance. As a camp we try to win and fuel our alliance's ranking. Of course, to me, it's secondary to individual fighters at any given time. As far as INY, I have two fighters there and expect no special treatment for being part of the alliance. I could not even tell you if any of our guys have fought each other.
(DEAN) Now that you have absolutely shocked the MMA world with a KO of GSP, will you give him a re-match or will you make him wait a few fights?
(JAY) He will have to win at least one fight I know, as Hall is already booked to defend his title on the Fourth of July. I don't usually make special demands, I take the fights offered, so long as they are fair and not detrimental to my fighters. But yeah, after being knocked out, I'd like him to win AT LEAST one fight before a rematch. Think he'd wanna risk a repeat that quickly?
(DEAN) What do you say to those who will undoubtedly say , "Lucky shot, and lightening won't strike twice"?
(JAY) It will. It wasn't luck and it wasn't a lightning strike. It just seems that way because of the timing. The people who would say that might want to consider the heart, determination, and drive Hall showed while winning before doubting him again. You think other guys would be scoring a huge KO like that after a fight like that? Well, I should say, you think many guys would even be capable of that?
(DEAN) What are your upcoming plans? Any title fights or defenses that we should know about? Any new fighters to watch from your stable?
(JAY) Kirk Hall will be defending July 4th against an unnamed opponent. Jay Bitaskis will be dropping to 205 and competing in the NAF LHW tournament. Joe Belanger just won his seventh title fight at thirty-one years old, and as far as prospects, Bobby Henderson will be competing in the new MMATycoon school 6 month, MW tournament.
(DEAN)Jay, thanks for your time and we will be watching you and the fighters from Camp Jersey for sure! That wraps it up, I'm Dean Holliday with last night's glass shoe from Cinderella story Jay Bittner and Mr. Kirk Hall. See YOU at the fights.
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