Cody Krahn relishing “underdog” role heading into KB Bhullar clash at Unified 37
Apr 8, 2019
EDMONTON — Fan-favorite Cody Krahn enters the cage for the 30th time as a professional fighter at Unified 37, when he takes on unbeaten rising star KB Bhullar on May 24 at River Cree Resort & Casino. Before that, Krahn sat down for an in-depth interview with Unified MMA’s Ed Kapp about his early days in MMA, his fight with Bhullar and how he wants to be remembered as a fighter.
How did you find MMA in the first place?
I was always interested in it. Even when I was a young kid, I had some friends who were too old for sleepovers so we’d watch the old UFC VHS and would beat each other up in the basement. It wasn’t until the Ultimate Fighter show came onto TV that I realized that regular people were getting into it. So, I got into Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu and went from there.
What is it that’s kept you in the sport for more than ten years?
I just like to fight. I think that’s the plain answer, but I love the competition. There’s something about the way it feels when you’re in the cage fighting somebody. I don’t know if there’s a way to describe the feeling if you haven’t experienced it.
What were your goals when you took your first professional fight?
Just to become a knockout artist.
Do you have any regrets about your career?
Oh, plenty. I wish I could put my brain into a 19-year-old kid and start over. I’ve made some bad decisions along the way. I would definitely take that chance to do-over my career.
Was it a matter of having too much ambition and trying to approach things too quickly?
I didn’t listen. I think that’s the biggest thing. I didn’t listen enough when I should have. I took a lot of fights at times when I shouldn’t have. In retrospect, I wish I would have bidden my time a little more.
Do you see any similarities between when you were 9-2 to where KB Bhullar is at 6-0?
I say this with no disrespect to KB, but he hasn’t picked on anyone his own size. His second most recent fight was against a guy who was 4-8 and then Derek Boyle, no disrespect to him, but he’s a 155er, so he doesn’t belong at middleweight with KB. I think this will be his first real test. Yeah, he’s undefeated, but I’m going to be the first guy who’s really going to push the pace on him and hit him in the face.
Does that add anything to this fight, or is it just business as usual?
This fight means a lot to me. It makes sense to both of us, in our careers right now. I’m going to be the gatekeeper. People view me as a stepping stone, but I’m going to be his stumbling block. After I beat him, he’s not going to lose for a long time.
Do you feel that some people have counted you out already?
I love being the underdog. There’s less pressure on me. I’ve had a lot of people approach me and tell me that they’re excited to see him fight someone of my caliber. I think it’s good to be the underdog, I don’t have any pressure on me. He’s the young superstar, he’s undefeated, he’s trying to make a name for himself. I just like to fight.
What’s the most likely outcome of this fight?
I think it’s going to be a hard win for whoever takes it. That one could go to a decision. I’m going to have to work on my gas tank, my jiu-jitsu, and my takedown defense. I just have to put it on him for three hard rounds. If I’m able to drop him before then, that’s just a bonus.
If KB is able to beat you, what does that mean about him as a fighter?
That he’s ready for the next step. It’s very thin waters at 185. I’m the gatekeeper. If he can beat me, it shows that he’s put the work in and he’s ready for the next step.
How would you like to be remembered as a fighter?
As an exciting fighter. It’s always been my goal to be the guy who puts on the fight of the night and gives it his all.
