Ask any devout followed of the M-1 Challenge and they will tell you that Team World heavyweight Michael Kita is one of the most improved fighters in this year’s competition.

Despite a nondescript 5-3 record, Kita has made major statements in his two TKO wins this season and has elevated himself to the upper-echelon of M-1 heavyweights.

A Polish fighter living and training in Holland under legendary European amateur wrestler Bert Kops, Kita has honed his skills and continues to gain more notice. Kita’s fans in both Poland and Holland will be able to watch his fight at “Breakthrough” courtesy of M-1Global.com International Internet Pay-Per-View stream (stream starts at 22:00 ET and can be ordered courtesy of the widget on the right-hand side of the page).

While Kita has his supporters, he also has his critics who suggest that before Kita can rise to the top of M-1’s heavyweight division, he first must be tested against a higher-level of competition.

This Friday, August 28, live on HDNet at 10 p.m. ET and in Kansas City at the historic Memorial Hall, Kita will indeed get to take the most stringent test of his career in the form of Lloyd “Kadillac” Marshbanks.

Marshanks is listed as 18-8 on most fight finder databases but the Chicago native claims he is 52-8 in reality. Regardless of whether Marshbanks’ record is to be believed, he is considered one of the best pure wrestlers in the competition and has world class jiu-jitsu skills. As such, Kita will have gained a new level of respect if he’s able to defeat Marshhanks.

M-1Global.com recently caught up with Kita for an exclusive interview.

M-1Global.com: How did your preparation go for Friday’s “M-1 Breakthrough” show?

Michael Kita: My preparation is going great. I train like 10 times a week at the gym of my trainer Bert Kops. Even for my upcoming fight I trained a lot with Gegard Mousasi. He needed some good wrestlers to train with for his fight against “Babulu” so we worked together. We helped each other out.

M-1Global.com: Your opponent, Lloyd “Kadillac” Marshbanks, is a favorite amongst the fans in Kansas City. What do you know of him?

Michael Kita: I’ve seen Lloyd fight at the M-1 Challenge and he has a great appeal to the audience because when you see him, you see a short chubby guy but don’t judge a book by its cover because he’s a great and strong fighter. I’m well aware of that. We both won our fights at the M-1 Challenge in June in Kansas City so it should be interesting.

M-1Global.com: For the people who don’t know you, can you tell us something about yourself?

Michael Kita: I was born in Poland and started wrestling when I was a kid. Later on I went into grappling. Between the years 2005 and 2007 I lived in England and after that I came to Holland. My first fight was in England and my second and third as well. When I came to Holland I was looking for the best wrestling school so automatically I ended at Bert Kops’ gym. Since then I never left and Bert arranged my first fight against Gilbert Yvel and then the M-1.

M-1Global.com: According to your profile on the internet you started you first professional fight in 2006. How did you get involved in the sport of MMA?

Michael Kita: Like I said, my first unlisted fight was in the UK in 2005. The reason for my involvement is because I like to compete. My base of wrestling and grappling is a perfect combination to get into MMA. So I tried it and liked it.

M-1Global.com: The M-1 Breakthrough concept will provide a platform for fighters who preformed well in the M-1 Challenge. How do you see yourself in the heavyweight roster of the M-1?

Michael Kita: At this moment I’m doing great. I haven’t lost a fight this year and won my two fights by TKO. If I look at the rest of the fighters M-1 has to offer I can perform well against them. So I’m looking forward to fighting an up-and-coming prospect such as Lloyd Marshbanks.

M-1Global.com: What are you ultimate goals in MMA?

Michael Kita: I want to end my career as a top five fighter of the world or becoming a champion at a respectable organization.

M-1Global.com: How do you describe your strengths as a fighter?

Michael Kita: It’s difficult to say about yourself but I manage to keep my cool and observe the situations in a fight and I like to fight hard at the same time.

M-1Global.com: Beside fighting what do you do?

Michael Kita: Besides fighting? I’m training all the time! (laughs)