3 Arena
Dublin, Ireland
Post-fight Press Conference
A few fighters and UGP officials come up to answer questions about the night that was. Walking up to take a seat at the table on the stage is the former two-time lightweight champion. Dressed in jeans and a black Lair t-shirt. The look of a defeated man on his face as he slumps in the chair, just wanting to get this done with.
Reporter: How you feeling after that fight tonight?
JPK: Not great.
Jordan answers with an eye roll at the obviously stupid question.
Reporter: Obviously you're disappointed with how things went tonight. Natalie King seemed to just have her way out there. In a way, we've never seen you controlled.
JPK: Ok, what are asking?
Reporter: I guess… How? We've seen you take on some great strikers and you've effectively neutralized them, but with Natalie, you struggle. Why is that?
JPK: She's just that good, I guess.
Jordan shrugs.
JPK: I know that's not the answer you're looking for or want to hear, but it's all I got right now. I was relatively healthy and we managed to have a solid camp, all things considered. Had what we thought would be a good game plan tonight, but it didn't come together. It sucks and it's hard to handle but the fights over. I can only go home and try to find ways to improve.
Reporter: You had a different walk out tonight. Was this always in the works, or was it planned on the fly after what happened we with Sha Bishop?
JPK: No, it was not. I had wanted Sha to walk out with me prior to the shooting. Due to that, he was unable. With a lot of uncertainty surrounding things, I wanted to do something special to show him we are behind him, as well as show the world that we always have each other's backs. May have had a better impact if it were my hand raised, but such is life.
Reporter: Do you feel that the situation was a distraction? Was there ever talk about dropping out and letting someone else take the fight?
Jordan shakes his head.
JPK: I'm not gonna do that to Natalie… Not going to sit here and make excuses about a distracted camp. She deserves full credit for what she did out there. That being said, of course, it had an effect on the mood. Far as canceling the fight… I'm not going to lie, I tried. I was in New Orleans when I heard what happened. I was hurrying back to Brooklyn and I tried to call Dante to tell him to look for another fighter. He didn't answer the phone, which gave me time to think about things. I received had I dripped out Sha would have, climbed out of his hospital bed, knocked my ass out, and gotten back in his hospital bed.
Reporter: What did you tell Dante when be called back?
JPK: He never did.
A few laughs come from the room or reporters and few fans that are seated in the room.
Reporter: So what's next for you?
JPK: I…
The young fighter pauses and looks out at the crowd of reporters.
JPK: Guys… Honestly, I'm tired. I've been going nonstop between wrestling, training, and MMA for a long time. At this moment, I have one fight left on my contract, outside of that I don't know what is going to happen or when.
Reporter: No plans to resign?
JPK: I've instructed my representation not to negotiate any extensions at this time. I don't have the passion and desire to be in the cage that I used to. I have a pregnant wife at home and unlike some of my role models growing up, I want to be there.
Reporter: Almost sounds like retirement talk.
JPK: Financially I could, but that's not what this is. I just need time to mentally rest and recover. Explore other things.
Reporter: What about the last fight on your contract?
JPK: That's up to Dante Reed.
Jordan looks around and sees a small.break in people trying to ask questions. He nods and stands up to walk out