Exclusive Q&A: Kyle Prepolec promises a 15-minute war against Benoit Saint-Denis

Kyle Prepolec (18-8) will face Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 315 in Montreal after Prepolec accepted the fight on short-notice, less than a week before the event. 

DAZN News spoke to the Canadian fighter who passed through the UFC in 2019 (0-2).

DAZN News: What happened? Did you call the UFC or did UFC call you?

Kyle Prepolec: That's a great question. I think it was a little bit on both ends. But I think we put the offer in, just saying, “Hey, Kyle's ready to step up if you need him. He's on a three-fight win tear with first-round knockouts. He's known to fight, and he's been doing very well. He's going to be in Montreal. He has all his paperwork and everything that he needs to get in," and here I am.

DN: You were due to fight on May 9 at the Samourai FC. How was your training camp?

KP: That was short notice as well, to be fair. I'm always in the gym training anyway because I prefer staying ready, so I don't have to crunch down. That's why I always say it's better to stay ready instead of having to get ready.

DN: He's a tough guy, and you accepted on short notice. Why did you accept this fight?

KP: I believe the reward is greater than the risk, and I believe I can win in any way possible that I see fit. I'm a tough guy too. I have never really said no to any of my opponents, and I'm here to prove myself and to the world why I belong.

DN: You signed for how many fights with UFC?

KP: After this fight, I think there are three more. I think it's a four-fight deal.

DN: What do you think of him?

KP: I think he's a dog. He's a very good fighter. He's obviously a great athlete. He's 13th in the world, so top 15 in, I believe, one of the hardest weight categories, if not the hardest. My most highly attributed athletes are in that division. I want to be a part of that, so I have to beat him and prove to everyone that I belong there too.

DN: Any prediction?

KP: Some type of finish, or it's going to be just a 15-minute war. So either I finish by TKOing him or getting a choke, or it's a 15-minute war and I still get my hand raised.

DN: It's a fight, but you're fighting at home. Can the fans be one of the keys?

KP: Yes. They could either root for him or root against me or root for me. It's more fuel to me regardless of whether it's good or bad. I will use it in a positive manner and use it to my advantage.

DN: You've already been to the UFC. What did you learn from your first stint?

KP: I learned to be better at managing my life - how I train, nutrition-wise, health-wise, sleep - just life in general and the balance of everything.

DN: What changed from your last UFC fight?

KP: What changed is the way we train and camp. It's more methodical. What works for our style, how to get better at certain areas, especially in our weaknesses, how to really put the pressure on to try to break someone, and how to overcome that and not have to worry about it in the fight.

DN: Did you think after your first contract with UFC that you could join the organization again one day?

KP: I believe anything is possible, and everyone deserves a second chance. And I think this is my second chance, obviously. I'm here to seize the moment and capture everything about this.

DN: Merab Dvalishvili started with two losses in the UFC before becoming champion. The last two fighters who beat Saint-Denis have a chance for the title after (Renato Moicano and Dustin Poirier). What are your chances of winning?

KP: Every fight is a 50-50 chance. Every fight, it doesn't matter how good somebody is. It could be I'm on or he's off, or vice versa. But I plan on bringing it no matter what. I believe the odds - whatever they think the odds are - I believe the odds are more in my favour.

DN: How are you preparing for this, with a short notice of one week?

KP: Right now, it's just all mental. It's all just mental preparation, just to get in there and be ready to go.

DN: You were planning for a fight before this on May 9. Do you change your whole strategy or not?

KP: It's the same game plan. Basically, they're almost the exact same style - when I found out on short notice for the Samourai against Michael Dufort and now with BSD. It's a very similar game plan. Like I said, I plan to bring it everywhere and show my skill sets off.

DN: How would you introduce yourself to the people who don't know you?

KP: You'll find out who Kyler is on Saturday night.

DN: If you win, who do you want next? 

KP: I just take it one fight at a time. Let one fight settle first, and then I'll work my way from there. Then if the UFC has an idea, I'll take whatever their idea is. If we have someone in mind, we'll say it.

DN: There is another Canadian on the main card. Aiemann Zahabi. Any prediction for his fight? Can he beat Jose Aldo?

KP: Anyone is beatable. I know Jose Aldo is one of the GOATs. Zahabi has a very good chance if he makes it his fight. And the same goes for Aldo. I like both of them. I think they're both phenomenal athletes - obviously Aldo, the GOAT. But I believe whoever implements their game plan will be the victor.