"There is no bad blood. Actually, he's a really cool guy. We met at the bus on the way to the hotel. We were always nice to each other. It's just one of those moments where, you know, I lost two fights in a row and I was in a state where I told myself, 'There's no way I can lose this fight.' I got him on the ground just like I thought I would do and I was pounding and I didn't want to stop. But I should have stopped. There's no bad blood. He's been nice. We've run into each other, and every time he's always been a gentlemen. I feel like a douchebag for doing it. I'm really sorry for it."

-Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou talks to HDNet's "Inside MMA" about his recent behavior in the ring following a win over Jan Nortje at DREAM 9. Sokoudjou quickly defeated the South African by getting him to the ground before unleashing a series of vicious blows from top position. The referee called the fight, but Sokoudjou continued punching, landing a solid five or six hard punches to a downed Nortje before finally being pulled off. A brief fracas broke out afterwords, with both corners entering the ring, but was quickly dispersed.

Sokoudjou (6-4) who had lost two straight and three of his last four had described this fight as a "must win" and have let his emotions get the best of him. He'd recently been released from the UFC after going 1-2 with the promotion and lost his first fight outside of the promotion as well, that to Renato Sobral. His win over Nortje pushed him into the semifinals of DREAM's "Super Hulk" tournament where he'll draw Hong Man Choi, Ikuhisa Minowa, or Gegard Mousasi.