Kakutougi: For the 3rd year in a row, you're coming to fight in Scandinavia. You've been with it from the beginning. What's your impression of fighting here in Sweden and K-1 Scandinavia?

McDonald: It's actually a great place to perform. The people always treat me nicely when I am there, so I always feel welcome. The fans are great and get excited to see a good event with great fights. It is a smaller venue than those in Japan, but larger than Vegas. The fans in Japan are very quiet unless someone gets knocked out, gets beaten, or there is a great technical fight with lots of kicks and punches.

I've not spent a lot of outdoors time in sweden, because I am usually there for work and there is not much time to get out and see the country, but maybe someday soon.

Kakutougi: You're surprisingly not fighting in Las Vegas the first round this year. How come?

McDonald: Since the beginning of March, I have been trying to get a hold of K-1 Japan and the promoter in Vegas, but I have got no answer or reply. I guess I am on the backburner until whenever ... until they make a decision for the next fight.

Kakutougi: We know you wanted the Scandinavian title last year before getting injured in the tournament. Can you tell us what happened?

McDonald: I had an injured hand, and hitting Azem with it made it start to swell. Throughout the duration of the fight, it got worse, and finally I wasn't able to move it.

Kakutougi: So you're back to make a statement this year?

McDonald: Usually, I just go to fight. I have nothing to prove, I go to perform and give the crowd a good show. Mind you, I fight for myself and like always, I want to be victorious and perform well.

Kakutougi: Any special preparations for the Scandinavian tournament?

McDonald: I don't change my training that much, but prepare according to the opponent I'll be facing. I just work on staying sharp, and being fast and smart.

Kakutougi: Any words to the fans that'll be watching you live on location May 20th?

McDonald: I always get a warm welcoming by the fans there during the opening ceremony, and I'd like to perform to the best of my ability and give the fans their money's worth.

More information about K-1 Scandinavia can be found here.