Kakutougi: Let's start at the end so to speak. The word is you have hung up the gloves, and probably won’t be back in the ring to fight again, correct? Could you tell us how this came about?

Mike Bernardo: No, that isn't entirely true. I have been consulting a doctor about a neck injury I have picked up and am waiting for his final diagnosis as to what my future is in the sport. So, I will await the doctors diagnosis to plan whatever I have to after that.

Kakutougi: Many fans would be elated to see you back in the ring. Ernesto Hoost announced just last month that he plans to continue fighting in only super fights. Is there any hope sometime down the line you'll be able to do something similar?

Mike Bernardo: I know I too would be very elated to be back in the ring as this is a passion of mine, and I have not yet finished what I had set out to do

Kakutougi: Before becoming the fighter you're known as today, you started out in a very different type a fighting. I think you may have been a navy diver. What was life like for you doing that during an era of compulsory military service in South Africa?

Mike Bernardo: Yes, I was in the navy and I was not a diver but a physical training instructor; and it was amazing. I think that being a PTI started me on the career that I ended up doing. Namely being a professional kickboxer. I didn't get to see any action as such, as my job was merely to train the navy personal in getting them fit and combat ready

Kakutougi: Did you have any other jobs between your military service and career in the ring?

Mike Bernardo: Hahahah, yes I had a few, and one that stays in my mind was that I was an insurance salesman for a little while which I find very funny. I was never a salesman selling insurance, but more a sportsman selling my ability.

Kakutougi: You packed a lot into your fight career, but could you tell us what sports you started prior to it, and what finally got you into and attached to Martial Arts?

Mike Bernardo: I was a keen all-round sportsman. I tried to do as many sports as I could. I love sports. I started surfing when I was six, played numerous other sports but one that I like to play was rugby. But I knew I was in the wrong sport when I kept getting sent off for fighting. So, I knew I had to make that transition from rugby to fighting sports.

Kakutougi: Despite the fact you began your career with great kicks due to karate, you have always been looked at as a boxer. What was it that lead you towards a boxing influenced style?

Mike Bernardo: I know, but that was due to my entry into boxing, and I don’t think that it was a bad thing because I found even in kickboxing many knockouts came by way of a punch. So, I worked a lot with my hands and my punching power and it worked. All I did was close the distance between me and my opponent so as to limit his kicking.

Kakutougi: You went back and forth between kickboxing and boxing for a while. You called out Mike Tyson long before it became a regular occurrence at every Las Vegas K-1 GP. Was there some reason for going back and forth between the two?

Mike Bernardo: I think that kickboxing is such an exciting sport and I wanted to show the fight world that a kickboxer could go toe to toe with a regular boxer and win even against the best.

Kakutougi: Which do you now consider you were more successful as, a boxer or K-1 fighter?

Mike Bernardo: I consider that I was good at both. I could adapt easily to both, and I think that that is important. Being able to adapt shows a mind that is able to learn.

Kakutougi: That learning went for MMA too? You had one MMA fight, and you were preparing for another to be held at last years DYNAMITE show before being injured and having to pull out. Were you interested in a MMA career?

Mike Bernardo: Like in your previous question, I wanted to be able to adapt to any fighting style and yes, I wanted to follow a career in the MMA world

Kakutougi: Before stepping in the K-1 ring for the first time, you faced at least one man that became a famous fighter there, too. Did you have many fights before K-1?

Mike Bernardo: I did have a few fights before I came to the K-1 ring. I fought in South Africa, in Russia, in Italy ... but the class of fighters I fought before the K-1 ring wasn’t the same.

Kakutougi: How did the chance to fight in K-1 come about? Was there a qualifying fight, or perhaps a scout noticed you?

Mike Bernardo: Well, after I fought in Russia, I got invited through one of England’s promoters to fight against Andy Hug in 1995. But I think everyone underestimated me at that point.

Kakutougi: I think it is fair to assume they did. I don't think they ever expected the outcome of that fight. Looking back on it, how has that one victory against Andy changed your life?

Mike Bernardo: I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to fight in Japan and especially against Andy. My dream evolved to becoming a top class fighter, and living as a fighter, which has definitely changed my life like you can't believe. I was living my dream and many opportunities came my way for which I am truly thankful.

Kakutougi: You and Andy remained rivals in the ring for some time, but developed quite a close friendship out of the ring. What sort of effect did his passing away have on you?

Mike Bernardo: We were friends and I had great respect for him, as he was a true warrior. And his passing did have an effect on me as it made me see that life is so very valuable and special and we must live our lives to the fullest and not take it for granted.

Kakutougi: Are there many other K-1 fighters that were once rivals, which were/are also friends of yours?

Mike Bernardo: I regard most of the fighters in K-1 as my friend, and have lots of respect for all of them. They are all a special breed of people, to do what we all do.

Kakutougi: Speaking of rivalries, one in particular stands out when people talk about you. You had some of the most classic K-1 wars ever seen against Peter Aerts. You fought 5 times and have two wins each. Your popularity in Japan skyrocketed after knocking out Aerts when he was "unbeatable". Do you look back at this period fondly?

Mike Bernardo: I look at the fight with proudness and fondness as I think it was one of my greatest achievements. Peter is a great person and warrior, and to have beaten him at his best was really something special, and I think everyone knows that.

Kakutougi: I am sure they do. Sometime later though you had a rather public falling out with Steve Kalakoda, and a couple of bad years with you struggling to find professional team support. Things came to a head when you finally faced both Steve and your former training partner, Jan Nortje in the ring. Was this the lowest point in your career?

Mike Bernardo: It was the lowest time in my career and it did throw me off. When I fought Jan, I was devastated. Jan didn't beat me, I lost the fight before I got in the ring. I thought I had a really honest and open special friendship with Steve, but it wasn't so as I found out.

Kakutougi: Well, I`m not going to go there, but I have to say seeing you and Steve back together for the Japan 2004 GP was something I think put a smile on most long-term fans faces.

Mike Bernardo: Well, it was great, but it wasn’t the same.

Kakutougi: After your issues in the ring with Gary Goodridge, though, I was very surprised to see him also as part of that team. Was there any particular incident between Gary and you that got things off on the wrong foot originally, or was it the fouls during the fight?

Mike Bernardo: Gary is a strong guy, but he wasn’t better than me. I got clipped behind the head in the fight in Vegas, and I’m a sportsman and what had happened wasn't sportsman-like. So, I proved that it wasn't so when I fought him again in Japan and knocked him out in one round with one punch.

Kakutougi: Unfortunately luck wasn`t with you in the Japan 2004 GP. Everyone was excited to see the Mike of old, but "Mr. Yellow Card" (Tatsufumi Tomihira) had other plans. In the opening seconds of the fight he managed to give you, what I believe was your first ever fight-related cut, with a headbutt. After all you and Steve had been through, how disappointing was this?

Mike Bernardo: No excuses, but at the time I had started developing problems with my neck. And also at the time I didn't know. But Tomi is a good fighter.

Kakutougi: Popular opinion when you fought ‘Butterbean’ was that he was going to defeat you. You came out on fire and proved many people wrong that night. Did you go out to show them all something?

Mike Bernardo: I believe I am one of the best fighters ever. And I think that I have proved myself, don't you think?

Kakutougi: Looking back on your career it would be hard for anyone to disagree. Speaking of which, what fights stand out for you as the toughest, and what was the biggest accomplishment in the ring?

Mike Bernardo: All my fights were tough, that is why K-1 is such an amazing platform for fighters to prove their worth. My greatest accomplishment was finding out who I really was in and out of the ring.

Kakutougi: If you had the chance to match up with any fighter in K-1 for a final match, who would be your choice? In other words, is there someone you would like to teach a lesson or fight for a particular reason?

Mike Bernardo: Well, I would like to fight Ernesto one more time and show him what’s up. Then Ignashov, and teach him a fight lesson. Or Mark Hunt to show him how limited he really is. Ray, just because the last fight I think was a draw, and that I had the better of him. And, Bob Sapp just to prove to everyone how hard I really punch and kick.

Kakutougi: As a K-1 veteran from the golden years, what period do you look at as its best?

Mike Bernardo: For me personally the best K-1 years were between 1993 and 1999, as I think that was when K-1 was pure and hard.

Kakutougi: Whom would you consider the top five fighters in K-1 today?

Mike Bernardo: In no particular order: Ernesto, Peter, Ray, Ignashov, and me.

Kakutougi: One South African former training partner and good friend, Virgil Kalakoda (Interview here), is now fighting and having some success in K-1 MAX. Do you have any good advice for him?

Mike Bernardo: Yes, I know him well and he is an amazing brave fighter. And if I did have advice to give him, it would be simply to trust Jesus in all he does.

Kakutougi: What other things are you doing these days? What's things have you been doing out of the ring? I know recently you came to Aichi EXPO as an ambassador for South Africa.

Mike Bernardo: I would like to consider myself a good ambassador for South Africa, as to my sporting achievements and for any person who believes they too can make it in any circle of working environment they would like to pursue.
I am starting my own kickboxing gym here in South Africa, and wanting to train other champions, too, as I feel I have a teacher’s temperament.

Kakutougi: And what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Mike Bernardo: I LOVE surfing a lot and do surf a lot. Apart from that I enjoy riding my Harley as we have a beautiful country, and playing my bass guitar. And yes, cars is also a passion of mine, especially old muscle cars done up.

Kakutougi: We have heard you are quite a mean bass player. What sort of music do you play, and do you ever perform live?

Mike Bernardo: I love the music of U2, Cold Play, Simple Minds, David Gray, jazz, and funk; and I am busy setting up a music room in my house where a couple of my friends are getting together to jam.

Kakutougi: With Virgil being a drummer, and you playing bass, you think we'll ever see you playing at one of K-1's events? Perhaps with Jan fronting in a Freddie Mercury outfit?

Mike Bernardo: Hey, I would love to have Virgil around to jam with me. And if I ever get the opportunity to play at K-1, I would take the opportunity with both hands for sure.

Kakutougi: Just before we finish, let’s get your ideas on how you see the first round of this years K-1 Grand Prix playing out.
First fight, A: Remy Bonjasky vs. Hong-Man Choi

Mike Bernardo: Remy with a late knock out or on points.

B: Ray Sefo vs. Semmy Schilt

Mike Bernardo: This is hard to say, as Semmy is dangerous. But if Ray has his game plan together, he will win on points.

C: Jerome LeBanner vs. Peter Aerts

Mike Bernardo: Again a tough one, but I think that Jerome will win this one this time.

D: Musashi vs. Ruslan Karaev

Mike Bernardo: Depending on which Musashi gets in the ring. I think this Ruslan is tough, but Mushshi can beat him if he fights smart.

Kakutougi: We'd like to thanks you for your time Mike, and wish you well with your injuries.

For the fans out there Mike has agreed to participate in a giveaway, with signed prizes to be won.  All you need to do is follow the instructions HERE.