Friday, December, 21st 2018
Sheraton Brooklyn New York Hotel
10:30 A.M
[Inside the hotel lobby is a set of stairs that lead up to a second-floor business lodge area that looks over the lobby below. The tan and cream-colored carpet match the rest of the furniture. A television hangs on the wall over a tan couch with a Union Grand Prix logo. Sat on that couch is the new interview/reporter for UGP, Dylan Carter. Next to the blond on the other side of the couch is the current number 1 ranked heavyweight contender, Donnie Calabrese]
Dylan: Good morning UGP fans. My name is Dylan Carter. I'm joined this morning by Donnie “Dog Face” Calabrese.
[Dylan shifts her attention over to face Donnie.]
Dylan: Thanks for sitting down, in what is my first interview with UGP.
[ Donnie tips his Real Killa Only fitted cap and stretches out his arms, letting them hang over the back of the chair.]
Donnie: Ay yo, it’s good ta be here. Shit, I’m the first year? Well, then we be better pop this shit off then. Watchu got darlin’?
[The blonde smiles as she takes a quick glance at her notes]
Dylan: Donnie, you’ve had an…
[She pauses as she finds the right word]
Dylan: Interesting past. What is it that brought you to try MMA?
Donnie: Ch’yeah my past is pretty dang interesting now ain’t it?
[ Repositioning himself once again on the couch, Donnie makes sure Dylan gets a good look at the scar that extends from the corner of his lips to the middle of his cheek. ]
Donnie: I don’t know if you noticed the scars.
[ Dylan nods politely, trying not to show any uncomfortableness. ]
Dylan: Yes, I remember hearing a story of how it occurred. If true, sounds quite gruesome and
intenseYes, I remember hearing a story of how it occurred. If true, sounds quite gruesome and intense.
Donnie: But back to ya’ question. I mean I grew up hard, you know? Shit wasn't easy, I was gaurdin’ stash houses and beatin’ the fuck out of tweeks on a daily basis. I fucked around with ametuer wrestling a little bit before droppin’ out of high school my Jr. year. Went down a fucky path, did some shady shit you know… And I just knew that at some point it wasn't goin’ anywhere. But what did I have? I ain’t fuckin’ educated like a lot of these folks. But I know what I know, and that's fighting. Hooked up with my boy fisk, flew down to Cali and the rest is as they say… History.
[ She nods and scribbles a note]
Dylan: If you’re ok with it, I'd like to expand on your relationship with Daniel Fisk. You say you hooked up with him. Sure the fans would love to know how that relationship started?
[ Donnie smirks, as he nods his head in a cocky, yet playful manner ]
Donnie: It was a bit surreal you know. I knew some people who knew some people, shit like that. Once I put the word out that I was trying to get some training - some good friends of mine pointed me in the direction of Fisk. We meet up, just got to shooting the shit and it was around that same point when we was still under slaughta LA… I was there when he decided we was gonna do this shit, break off on our own. But yeah… That’s the story bout me and fisk.
Dylan: I'd like to go back to September 15th in Chicago. You're in your hometown and in the main event. What was going through your mind leading up to that fight?
Donnie: Leading up to it? Fuck I was cocky as shit, you don’t know how fucking ready I was for that fight. To ready really, Got caught up in the moment of it all. My home city, main eventing the place in my first fight! Shit was… Intense… I ‘d like to think I learned a whole hell of a lot from that fight, know what i’m sayin’? I got taught a lesson, and I ain’t mad about none of it.
[ The interviewer watching intently as Donnie describes the emotions of that night. ]
Dylan: How did it feel to avenge that loss on Boss Fight 3?
Donnie: It was like the best nut I ever got in my life! Good fuckin’ lord! That shit was crazy, all the fuckin’ adrenaline, the hype. Putting in all that work and then finally getting the job done. It was like something you couldn’t even describe. A feeling that you only get when you inside that cage!
[ She quickly peeks down at her notes before containing.]
Dylan: You entered UGP with a lot of promise and upside. With Real Killas hyping you, you were a favorite to win the Heavyweight tournament. Instead, you started out 0-3.
[ She pauses to check for any reaction from Donnie. ]
Dylan: That's something that could turn a lot of people off and send them looking for a new path. You've seemed to stick to it and remain positive in the face of adversity. How have you been able to keep believing in yourself?
Donnie: My girl gives the best head…
[ She lets out a small giggle as she chimes in. ]
Dylan: Can see that keeping spirits up.
[ Donnie lets out a hearty chuckle, while shaking his head. ]
Donnie: Nawh, but really though that shit, it hurt bad. I’m still recovering from all that, them loses. The shit that goes through your head knowin’ that you out there giving it your fuckin’ best and you just keep comin’ up short. It was frustrating, hell it is frustrating still. But I got the best team in the world behind me. Dudes and women who been fighting for longer and they know the ups and downs and they been a real big help through it all.. Plus I’m fuckin’ Dog Face Donnie Calabrese, I ain’t shook by shit!
[ Dylan nods and again scribbles a note as Donnie speaks.]
Dylan: Currently you are the number 1 rated contender for the heavyweight championship. What do you say to those who might feel your number 1 ranking is unearned? That it's just a product of a thin heavyweight division?
Donnie: I didn’t put myself there, I don’t give a fuck about no rankings or what my place is. I just go out there to fight, win or lose I’m feedin’ my people no matter what, ya’ feel me? And so maybe some of them cruisers should step the fuck up, get beefy boy. I don’t fuckin know! People can talk all they want, don’t affect me or my outlook on what I’m doin.
Dylan: Do you feel that a win over Bobbie London would be enough to secure a championship fight on UGP 7? Even with a sub .500 record?
Donnie: If it is then it is, I been wantin’ to take another crack at Derrick, ever since he made me wear that fuckin’ shirt! Do I think I earned a title shot? Not really… Am I going to take a title shot if one is presented to me? You fuckin’ betcha sweet lil ass I will! Bobbie a big girl, I ain’t down playin’ her. My momma used to whoop my fuckin’ ass and she ain’t even a quarter of the size Bobbi is. But ya’ boy Donnie still gonna get it!
[ Dylan offers a smile and nods as he answers. ]
Dylan: To change gears a bit I'd like to talk about where you see yourself in the future. You don't have to listen to Daniel Fisk long to I understand the legacy he leaves behind is very important to him.
[ She pauses for a moment, before continuing. ]
Dylan: Is that something that you place a similar importance on? If so, what legacy are you hoping to leave behind? What would you like people to say about you in 5, 10, 20 years from now?
[ Donnie gives this question a good deal of thought, he scratches at his neck as he ponders it over. ]
Donnie: You know? I ain’t really put a lot of thought into that, good fuckin’ question though. Fisk is the big dog, the OG, what he is gonna leave behind is going to last for generations. Real Killas Only is gonna’ be around for yo kids, and yo kids kids. And that’s some real shit right there. I get that. But for me? I hope they say got damn, that ugly mother fucker could throw a punch. I hope maybe I inspire some other lil fat peice of shit, to pull themselves out the hood and do somethin’ with they lives. I’m just tryin to support myself, and those close to me. I’m more of a just tryin’ to get by right now kind of guy.
[ Dylan sets her notes down on the couch between them.]
Dylan: Thank you for joining me this morning. I think this has certainly been enlightening. Good luck tomorrow on your fight. Anything you'd like to add?
[ Donnie looks straight into the camera, and flips it the bird. ]
Donnie: Real Killas Only! Fuck yo cliq!
[ Letting out another hearty, boisterous laugh, Donnie nods to Dylan, signaling he ain’t got shit else to say. Dylan smiles and looks toward the camera. ]
Dylan: Hope this watching enjoyed this as much as I did. Don't forget to watch UGP 6 tomorrow night live on the Battleground Network.