Kaream Ellington pre-MFC

Submitted by: Keith Mills
Posted On 06/02/2006


This weekend MFC returns to Atlantic City. On the card Kaream Ellington faces Kenichi Yamamoto. Ellington is most famous for fighting Eddy Rolon in January 2001’s IFC show, the first sanctioned show in North America. Since then Kaream has mostly been fighting in underground New York City shows, most recently the Underground Combat League in December ’04. Now this Light Heavyweight looks to make his mark on the larger stage.

KM: Your last fight was in Underground Combat League in December ’04. Can you describe that fight?

KE: I had won that fight by tapout. There are different stories regarding that fight but I’m going to keep it simple. I won. He was a tough opponent and props to Brian (Vetell).

KM: It has been almost a year and a half since that fight.

KE: I had to heal up from that. Basically that fight was very difficult on my body because he out-weighed me by over one hundred pounds and it was original vale tudo rules. It was a very difficult match and I had to give myself enough time to recover physically from it. Now I’m one hundred percent.

KM: How do you feel about having that time off?

KE: I feel I needed that time to refresh myself mentally and physically and prepare myself for the steps I want to take in my career. Fighting shouldn’t be something I just do, it should be planned out as a career. If you are going to have a certain amount of fights try to figure out what paths you want to take and particular organizations. If you are going to fight you might as well fight for a goal. This is what I want to do to make my living. I have a child on the way so I’m making all my steps carefully and methodically.

KM: Would it be accurate to call this a “comeback”?

KE: I never went anywhere. Fighting is like any other business; you have to make your moves smart. If you go and you fight twenty times a year how many wins and losses do you get and also are you really improving. You have to give yourself time to mature as a person and as a fighter and improve your technique, even if you have to go to a different coach. I took a year off to improve in all areas and it will show.

KM: Congratulations on the child on the way. Is that any factor like a distraction or motivation?

KE: It is a motivation. Every time I train I give it that little extra bit. I know it is not just me anymore.

KM: Where are you training?

KE: I’m training with Miguel Rivera, a Lightweight kickboxing champion out of Louis Masonette’s camp. I’m also working with Sambo Steve out of New York Combat Sambo and the American Sambo Association. That is in Manhattan, currently 48th and 8th at Manhattan Tae Kwon Do.

KM: You are out of the Bronx? Is there a motivation angle there?

KE: Yeah. Born, raised, where my roots are at. If you can survive here you have enough fighting spirit to survive combat with one person unarmed in a controlled environment. As far as motivation in the Bronx we are raised with the attitude if you are weak and allow yourself to be weak people will treat you like you are weak. Everybody is always tying to prove themselves. There isn’t one cookie cutter image of the Bronx, we have every nationality. I just think the Bronx should be represented more. There is a lot of talent here. If a promoter were to come here and have shows in New York I feel the Bronx would have a big showing.

KM: Where are you in your training? Are you taking this last week off or training up until the bitter end?

KE: I believe I have a couple more details to fine tune but everything is going as planned. It will be a great show.

KM: Sponsors to thank?

KE: I’d like to thank Black Mark, American Sambo Association, and Miguel Rivera. Right now I’m separated from Lionell Dojo but I’ll give thanks to all the people I’ve trained with in the past. I’m always available for more sponsors.