In his latest victory, Alan Belcher certainly claimed his spot in the UFC middleweight division. He submitted the highly ranked Denis Kang in the second round. With a previous win over Ed Herman, Alan “The Talent” Belcher is slowly, but surely climbing his division.

Tony: Biiiiiiiig congrats on your win by submission over Kang?
Alan: Thaaaaank you.

Tony: Now going into this fight against Kang, was the plan to win by KO or submission?
Alan: My plan was to pressure him and make him give me a KO or guillotine.

Tony: For those who don't know, Alan, you do have a jiu jitsu background. Who is your main bjj training partner?
Alan: My main instructor in Helio Soneca, my master. I also work with Israel Gomez (remix head coach, black belt), Joao Zefferino (one of my main training partners), Red Schaefer, and I just started working with Eddie Bravo.

Tony: Who were some of the cats in your training camp that helped you get ready for the Kang fight?
Alan: Israel Gomez , Justin Halahan, tractor, of course Duke Roufus, Red Schaefer, Pat Barry.... thank you guys.

Tony: Last time we talked you had been to Thailand for the Ed Herman fight. Did you make it over there for this fight against Kang?
Alan: No, I just trained in Biloxi and in Milwaukee.

Tony: Who is your next opponent and when?
Alan: Akiyama, July 11, UFC 100.

Tony: Right now you have 5 wins in the UFC. After your upcoming fight, can we expect to see a possible title fight?
Alan: I would like that but I’m not counting on it. I’ll make a fuss about the title shot when the time is right.

Tony: Right after your fight in Ireland with Kang, did you take some time off and travel or was it back to training at the gym?
Alan: Me and my wife went to London, Paris and Amsterdam for a week, then got back in the gym after that.

Tony: That has to be very important to you, Alan, to keep a healthy balance between training and spending time with family?
Alan: Of course. Even someone who loves training as much as me can get burned out at times.

Tony: What can we expect to see in 2009 from Alan Belcher?
Alan: All I can promise is I will train hard, get better, and fight the best that I can.