MMA Madness:
So how does it feel to be the Elite XC and world's only 160 lbs lightweight champion?

KJ Noons:
Feels awesome man, a lot of hard work, just getting ready for this next title defense.

MMA Madness:
You cut Nick Diaz good during your last fight. First you hit him with a knee to the brow, and then later on, you got him with a solid right. In between rounds, the ref decided to put a stop to the fight. Would you have like to see the fight go one a bit more?

KJ Noons:
I felt like I was in great condition. When I went back after the first round, I had no idea they were going to stop it. I went back, composed. I was real focused and ready for the next four rounds. You know, I didn't train for one round; I trained for five five minute rounds. So yeah, I was ready, you know, they stopped it so, that's how the fight went and that's pretty much it.

MMA Madness:
The lightweight division is arguably one of the most exciting divisions in all of combat sports. In your opinion, what's the difference between the 155 class and the 160's?

KJ Noons:
For me, it's a big difference. Cutting down to 55 is pretty hard. I get to keep a little more muscle. I brought on a nutritionist and a strengthening coach when they made the 160 class, so it's been a lot easier for me now that I know how to diet, which is so important. I think now that it's dieting, eating right and working out the right way: it's like a science project; I don't feel like it would be a problem going to 155. I'm going to start boxing at 154 after this title defense.

MMA Madness:
So would you rather fight at 160 than 155?

KJ Noons:
I'd rather be heavier, I'd rather fight at 180. Don't get me wrong, but it's just part of it. I don't really mind. Now that I've got the nutritionist I know how to cut down, so I don't mind getting down to 154-155.

MMA Madness:
In the Nick Diaz fight, you displayed some sick takedown defense. Is this a part of your game that you've been working on?

KJ Noons:
When I first started MMA, I was totally one dimensional. I'd just want to stand fight, stand fight. Now, I barely do any striking. I really try to concentrate on being an all around good fighter. What people tend to see in the ring, doesn't necessarily mean that's all I do. I train for everything. If anything, I'm training hardest on jiu-jitsu and wrestling to make sure I am up to par for when I fight to make it exciting and for people to want to watch.

MMA Madness:
Who are you training with on the ground?

KJ Noons:
Right now, Carlos "Baruch" Ferreira. He's a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and he has a great wrestling background. He's my main coach and we bring different bodies in and mainly just drill.

MMA Madness:
Aside from MMA, you also have a contract with Showtime for boxing. How do you balance your time between the two?

KJ Noons:
They've been putting my boxing career on halt. They've been kind of going with Elite XC, which I have no problem. They want to build their fights and have their titles. As soon as this fights over; it's like doing double time, you don't really get to take a break. It's tough, but like anything in life, you know you've got to work hard. It's a dream of mine. A lot of people said I couldn't do it, and I was bouncing back and forth. If you're a fighter, or whatever you want to do, then do it. Don't listen to people, listen to yourself.

MMA Madness:
Which of the two do you prefer, Boxing or Mixed Martial Arts?

KJ Noons:
I'm a fan of both. I like being a champ and I like getting better at boxing.

MMA Madness:
For the fans trying to keep track, any major boxing matches you have coming up? I know that you have mentioned after this title defense, you wanted to get back into boxing.

KJ Noons:
Right now my boxing record is eight and one. My MMA record is only five and one with the title already. I didn't expect to get thrown in it so quick and be fighting guys with 40 fights. Yves has got over 50 fights. In boxing, that's still really green. With how fast MMA went, I wouldn't be surprised if I had a few fights and jumped right in it with boxing. Do I have anybody in mind? No matches coming up. I just want to get a couple fights under my belt; get some eight some ten rounders, possibly some twelve rounders and hopefully the MMA will give me a chance to cross over and fight some big names in boxing.

MMA Madness:
There was a little bit of talk over the internet about a possible Noons vs. Mayweather. What is the chance of that happening?

KJ Noons:
I wish. I don't know. He's doing WrestleMania (WWE) and his boxing. You never know. He's super young and I feel like I am really young in boxing too, so maybe a couple years down the way.

MMA Madness:
On June 14th you have your first title defense against Yves Edwards. No rest for the weary. You get to fight on familiar territory, Honolulu, Hawaii. You get to fight in front of the home crowd. How does that feel?

KJ Noons:
It feels awesome. I started my MMA career over in Hawaii. It's funny, my first fight, I was the first fight out. Now a couple years later, I'm going back, bringing the title home and getting to fight in front of all my friends and family and a place I've already fought. I'm fighting a very seasoned veteran, somebody very respectable to defend the belt against. I feel super confident. I feel even more confident that I am the underdog. I feel like there's no pressure even though it's my home town. He's the guy that's supposed to win. He's the guy with over 50 fights. He's the one with all the pressure. He's the one at the end of his career trying to make it. I'm at the beginning. I'm enjoying the ride, I'm training hard. It's going to be great, fighting back in my home town.

MMA Madness:
How do you see the fight playing out?

KJ Noons:
My hand is going to be raised.

MMA Madness:
Joe Rogan said during one of Yves Edwards' fights "You cannot stand with a guy like Yves Edwards, unless you've got skills like him." You are known for your striking abilities. Do you think you can stand with Yves?

KJ Noons:
I'm working on every aspect of my game. I feel that I'll be comfortable and take it anywhere. If anything, can he stand with me? Like I said, I've been training every aspect, so it really doesn't matter where it's going to go. I just want to be prepared for the fight. I want to make it exciting. I feel like every fight I've fought has been exciting. I want people to want to watch me fight. I want them to say, "Hey, KJ's fighting and I know it's going to be exciting."

MMA Madness:
Yves has some pretty nasty kicks. He's knocked out Joao Perini in his UFC debut, and Josh Thomson, which many argue was the best KO by a kick in MMA history. What do you have to do to avoid his kicks?

KJ Noons:
I've been boxing for a long time. I've been drilled in that. You've got to drill in that every day in practice and be prepared for anything he throws. He's a threat all around. He's great in the standing; he's great on the ground. I'm just trying to prepare in everything. I'm not really worried about one thing. You've got to be ready for everything.

MMA Madness:
Five and one. That's your record with all five wins coming by way of knockout. You finish fights. In 47 fights, Yves has only been knocked out twice in his career; once to by Jorge Masvidal, fittingly by a kick, and then by Joe "Big Daddy" Stevenson. What do you have to do to win this fight?

KJ Noons:
I've prepared for this fight five minutes, five rounds. I want to come out and be able to go blazin' those five rounds. So if it ends early, with me winning, great. If not, I'm prepared to go the distance. I've trained hard and I'm trying to win every aspect of the game.

MMA Madness:
Not looking past Yves Edwards, but in your Elite XC debut, you were knocked out by Charles "Krazyhorse" Bennett. Any chance of a rematch there?

KJ Noons:
I would love a rematch. It's really up to Elite XC. They haven't thrown it to me yet. I'll definitely get the chance down the line.

MMA Madness:
What would you do differently in that fight?

KJ Noons:
I felt like I maybe rushed in too much. I went in whenever the crowd was booing, so I got over anxious and rushed in. Wanting to be a crowd pleaser, I ran in with my hands down and got my chin knocked out. Next time, I'll be a little more patient.

MMA Madness:
MMA is becoming more and more popular with the female viewers. Anything you'd like to tell them about your personal life?

KJ Noons:
(Laughs) Yeah, come support. Come watch the fights.