Edward Collins Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 (edited) Belicose MMA General Manager Frank Palma: "Sala Bolo is unlike any fighter I have ever seen before." BY EDWARD COLLINS Los Santos, SA - On the 17th of April, at 5 pm, 2021, the LSNN team conducted an interview with Belicose MMA General Manager Frank Palma. This is the written version of the interview which was held on air, in the LSNN studio. Frank Palma and Edward Collins in the studio Edward Collins: Mister Palma, welcome to the studio. Frank Palma: Thanks Edward, thanks for having me on. It's a real honor. And you seen this view behind me huh? That's something. Edward Collins: Indeed, yeah. That's our beautiful Los Santos. Let's slide a little bit away from sports. Let me ask you, who is Frank Palma privately? Frank Palma: A lot of people think I was raised in New York, and I guess that ain't untrue. That said I am a Los Santos native, I was born in Alta. I spent my childhood here before I went to New York, that's where I met my beautiful wife Nikki, over there behind the cameras. But, we been back here for a while now. Edward Collins: Tell me, what are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time? Frank Palma: Free time? What's that? No, no, I got some hobbies. I got a weakness for a round of golf. And Storage Wars. I love that show. Edward Collins: If we wanted to link between your hobbies and MMA, what's MMA to you? Is it a source of cash only? Frank Palma: Right, yeah no of course. Well, it being a source of cash - as you put it. That's fairly recent. MMA as a sport is amazing. If you got a passion for it, it's a great thing. But as a business? Well it was hand to mouth for me and my wife for a long time. Things are looking up a little now with the following it's getting in the city. Edward Collins: Let's talk sports now. What made you stick to the MMA path? What makes you choose it ahead from any other types of sports. Passion, is it? Frank Palma: Well Edward I was a fighter. I lived it you know. Though in my day it was a little less regulated. We just called it cage fighting. I was never gonna be one of the greats, but after my knee got damaged, I fell into training, and there I really found my stride. Edward Collins: What about your fighters, do you believe in them? Are you satisfied with their productivity? Frank Palma: Hey Edward, you know, only half of all fighters win, you know? I can't expect fighters signed to me to bring back a victory every time. But as long as they keep their nose clean, train hard, live the sport - they're okay in my books. I'll make sure if they got the attitude, they get the opportunity. Edward Collins: Do you consider Sala Bolo one of your best fighters? Frank Palma: Sala Bolo is unlike any fighter I have ever seen before. Sometimes I'm in my office down at the gym right, I'm working late - I can hear skipping down in the gym. Who is it? Sala Bolo. I come in to open up at the crack of dawn - there he is, shadow boxing. He's forty-two, and what can I say, he's a spartan. Edward Collins: I'm amazed how you're not disappointed about his failure in front of Levan "Lion" Botkoveli at The Rockford Dome yesterday night. How do you explain his failure? Frank Palma: Edward, the man is forty two, he beat champions. He competes at the professional level still. You call that a failure? Edward Collins: Well, I just wanted to see your reaction! You must be so proud of your fighters, aren't you, Mister Palma? Frank Palma: I'm proud of Botkoveli too.That fight the other night, it was one for the history books. Anyone who was at The Rockford Dome to see it would know. Edward Collins: About Botkoveli, would you sign him, considering his victory at the Fight Night? Frank Palma: He holds the belt now. I got a lot of time for the guy. I like his ethic, but his brother Genadi is a great trainer and a great manager. And South Central gym, where them boys train out of, they breed some tough guys. Tougher than my gym? Than The Sweathouse? Listen I'm just happy to see other gyms in this city stepping up, joining the circuit. Edward Collins: Would we be able to see some joint events, organized by both gyms? Maybe another fight night, friendly matches, open training to the public and so on? Frank Palma: Well Edward, that's what Belicose MMA is. It's an organization bringing all the gyms in this city to the table. We've got the likes of Yogarishima, Legacy, South Central, Vespucci Sports and of course The Sweathouse at the table. I got my team out there, looking for new gyms, new fighters. To keep bringing these intense nights of entertainment to the public. You was there Edward, you was at The Dome. The people deserve more of that don't you think? Edward Collins: Are you doing all of this on your own, or someone is aiding you with the activities that are provided by The Sweathouse Gym? Frank Palma: The list is a long one Edward. But I am by no means a one man army. My wife Nikki there. She's a huge part. My younger brother Gio, he handles quite a lot too. But honestly, it's a big team behind it. A huge operation. The gyms, the trainers, security, betting, medical, ring girls, media... you name it. Maybe one day who knows, I can just sit back and it will all work without me. Edward Collins: What should sports fans expect in the future? Any other fight nights? Frank Palma: Absolutely. And you know this sport, it's big enough for this whole city. I encourage anyone looking to become an MMA professional. In the ring, or supporting in any other way to get down to your local gym. Throw yourself into it, encourage your gym to host some amateur and semi-pro events. Because me, or one of my team will be there, watching. And there is a belt that needs to be challenged. Edward Collins: Thank you for being our guest today, Mister Palma. Frank Palma: Thanks for having me on. > Comments are enabled Username: Comment: Edited April 17, 2021 by Edward Collins 1 Link to comment
Apa Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 Username: Provid3nceKidda Comment: thats the worst green screen i've ever seen Link to comment
DeFuria Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 Username: YourMomCallsMeDaddy Comment: Shouldve called Sala Bolo to whip this journo ass, SMH Link to comment
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