Linked - feat Donnie Calabrese

The setup is once again the private office of Union GP’s play by play and commentators on the UGP Mains, Toussaint Harper. His personal phone is face down and ready as the cameras roll through the eclectic style that Harper has for his office’s interior. The little notepad at his left is gathered in his hand as he gives a general nod that he’s about to start.

Toussaint Harper: Welcome ladies and gentleman to Linked. I did this once before with a certain individual, it’s a shame but we move on to the future. In this future I see a lot of new stories and rising stars. A lot of prospects finding who they are and then a few who are now seeing the benefits of their labor. MMA is a standard in reaping what you sow. Today we have the first challenger to the Union Grand Prix Heavyweight Champion. “Dogface” Donnie Calabrese. One of my personal favorite stories about struggle becoming supreme and he has the chance to put a stamp on it with his Quarterfinal bout against reigning Champion, Derrick La’Bell.

Harper gives a quick glance downward making sure he’s heard from his cell phone. He checks to make sure the setting is on speaker and then follows on.

Toussaint Harper: Donnie my man. Do you hear me well?

CURRENTLY LINKED ---- UGP HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER DONNIE CALABRESE

Dog Face Donnie: Nawh homie, can’t hear jack fuckin’ shit.

A chuckle is head from Donnie’s side of the call.

Dog Face Donnie: Nawh we good Toussi baby, what’s good?

Toussaint gives a quick smile before looking at his notepad.

Toussaint Harper: Good deal. Good deal. Lets take it from the top. You are 0-2 against Derrick La'Bell, a fact that no one is missing. We know who your facing its just a matter of when at this point My first question is does that record plague your mind at all?

Dog Face Donnie: I wouldn’t say that I'm plagued by it. That sound like it’s causing me some sort of distress… And it ain’t! Cause that’s not the way I look at fights. It’s not about my last fight it’s about the next one. And that’s the way I’ve always done things. But am I wary of it? Is it in the back of my mind, like a note on the back of yo’ hand? Sure. But I want it there. Because it’s gonna push me to do better than I did last time. This is a big fuckin’ deal, I’m in Chicago. The title is gonna’ be on the line. This is my fuckin’ moment Toussi! But D Bell…. He a fuckin’ monster, and i’d be a idiot to forget that.

Toussaint nods with a smile.

Toussaint Harper: Hearing that just affirms it's going to be true main event value fight. There are many changes in the world of MMA right now. New companies, new gyms, and the overall reboot of Union. How are you feeling about it all?

Dog Face Donnie: I feel pretty good about it to be honest. The competition has never been higher, we got rid of the skid marks and now we all flyin’ high. I been itchin’ like a motherfucker to get back inside that cage. So I’m just glad it’s finally going down, sure I ain’t got a date yet. But i’m gettin’ ready. As for all the other companies popping up, as I said. Competition has never been higher, not just at a fighter standpoint. But at a company standpoint. And that in itself breeds a hunger in everyone tryin’ be the best. And that just good shit, good money, know what i’m sayin’?

Toussaint points his phone feeling a thought.

Toussaint Harper: Hell, while everyone else talking about money I need to dive into contracts talks myself. Get a piece of this pie.

Toussaint chuckles.

Toussaint Harper: UGP 12 was supposed to be a momentous event in Chicago Unfortunately though it didn’t happen their hometown guy threw a huge party with great vibes and a big success. Talk to me about how you made that happen in short notice so that the UGP fans did end up at least having something to have fun with?

Dog Face Donnie: Yeah man, that was saddening. I felt like I had built up a lot of momentum coming into that fight, and then for it just to get called off like that… Because some dudes couldn’t keep a needle out they ass, or just not be a fuckin’ dumbass. It’s straight up depressing. Like it’s hard to keep that momentum going when you’re just sitting at home waiting for yo’ next fight to be announced. But I knew that them fine folk in Chicago deserved something man, they paid they money and they deserve to be entertained.

And I’d like to think we did that. Real Killas and Union GP really sprang up and came together, so it wasen’t that hard to pull it together. Fisky and Dante jumped on that shit real fast, because they knew that Chicago deserved it. The fans deserved it. And you know me Toussi, I’m the man of the people. What they want, I deliver in one way or another. Plus you know, I got a lot of connects in Chicago, so getting a venue, and food trucks, and just general entertainment ain’t no thang for ya’ boy Dog Face Donnie.

Toussaint Harper: Man of his city can't read it better than that. I’ve always wanted to ask this right after seeing it. Please talk us through that Performance of the Night cartwheel? I had to know what you were thinking at that particular place and time.

Toussaint starts to laugh out loud before he can even finish the question.

Dog Face Donnie: Sheeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiit man! I can’t even explain that myself, it’s not like we up in the gym practicing cartwheels and shit. But I knew dude wouldn’t see it coming, and I took a risk.. .And my fuck did it pay off! You saw that shit! Fat boy doin’ cartwheels and shit inside of a cage, it's unheard of. But I did that shit, because it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Been working on my ground game a lot, different ways to get into the position I need, and yeah… Cartwheel seemed to be it! I wish I had more of an explanation for it, but nah… Just happen like that, and I’m glad it did. I mean dude didn’t see it coming at all, he was fuckin’ shook as hell. Will I be doing it in future fights? Fuck if I know homie, but if it feel right… Cartwheel yo’ fatass into the fight!

Another chuckle can be heard from Calabrese’s side of the call. Toussaint leans back in his car a bit humor still written all over his face.

Toussaint Harper: Easily one of the best moments in Union GP. That is a guaranteed part of the highlight reel. For you, on the serious, what does this upcoming shot...better yet, what does the UGP Heavyweight title mean to you?

There’s a noticeable pause from Donnie, as he thinks over the question.

Dog Face Donnie: That’s a really good question fam, like what does it mean to me? I’m just a thug from the streets, I shouldn’t have even made it to this level. The numbers in my bank account shouldn’t be as large as they are. I’m living in california, with the sexiest women on the planet! And I got it all because of this MMA shit, this shit that I’ve put my everything into. And it just recently started paying off, know what I mean? I started learning, putting old feelings, and that thug ass mentality behind me. Not to say I still won’t fucka ma’ fucka up… Because you know I will, got the scars to prove it.

So this title shot? That UGP Heavyweight championship… it means everything to me. It’s what is going to cement me as not just another heavyweight fighter, but THE heavyweight fighter… Know what i’m sayin’? Like it will validate everything that I’ve done, all the long nights, bar fights, I gotta get it fuckin’ right! This time… I’m putting in all of my chips, because if I lose? That’s a long way to the bottem, one that I’ve come up from time and time again… But I don’t want to do that shit! I want that title! I want to be at the top of the mountain. I wanna look my homie Derrick in the eyes and knock him the fuck out! That’s what this means to me Harp.

Harper looks to the camera with a nod a smile.

Toussaint Harper: That’s the way Donnie. I wish you nothing but luck. This has been Linked and you all know I will keep working to bring you more in the future. If you have the time, drop me a line. Lets link up. Fight game or die.

The camera cuts shortly after.