Vale Tudo
14-05-2007, 07:32
Interview Fedor (8/05/2007)
Quote:
Online meetings with Fedor Emelianenko, in which the athlete from Stary Oskol answers questions from his fans on the official website of the champion, have already become a tradition. While these meetings do not happen very often - there have been only five since the creation of the site by the "Bel.ru" information agency - it's a great opportunity for all of the participants to get their questions answered by the champion himself.
http://bel.ru/pics/news/2007/05/08/24231_58758.jpg
Many of the questions focused on Fedor's recent fight in the BODOGFight "Russia vs. USA" tournament, held in Saint Petersburg on April 14.
Q: Lindland admired your armbar in his last interview. He indicated that he has never seen it done that way before, and that it was an unusual way to do it. He said that he did not think he was in danger until he felt his arm straighten. What was it? Sambo? Jiu-jitsu? Catch wrestling? Something new?
A: That submission was standard, the implementation was mine. I blocked his arm by squeezing it very tightly with my legs.
Q: Did you see the fight between Gonzaga and CroCop in the last UFC? What did you think of Gonzaga? What was CroCop's mistake?
A: I saw that fight. It was clear that Gonzaga had studied CroCop very well, and he was able to do some things that other fighters had not done before. That is, he followed a predefined plan. He had a very intelligent strategy. CroCop could not get into the fight, even though his level of skill was above Gonzaga's.
Q: In the last two fights you fought from the top position and won via submission. Tell us, why didn't we see the ground and pound techniques we are so used to seeing from you?
A: There was no need for it. I felt that I will be able to win via submission.
Q: Dana White said recently that the losses of former Pride fighters in UFC show that the level of Pride fighters have always been inferior to UFC. What's your opinion of the UFC fighters, for example, Couture, or Arlovski?
A: I don't think that fighters in Pride are weaker than the ones in the UFC. In my opinion, the Pride fighter roster is stronger. I really like Randy Couture; I really respect him as a fighter and as a person. He deserves admiration. Andrey Arlovski is a very tough fighter, and I like his matches. Although, he does not always use his strongest qualities.
Q: Do you have any experience with elbow strikes? Is it going to be hard for you to adjust to the UFC rules if you compete in that organization?
A: I do use elbow strikes, and I am working on that technique. I don't think I'll have any difficulties with the rules.
Q: Hello, Fedor. I am 17 years old, and I live in Yakutsk, Russia. I'd like to come to the Red Devil club and study Mixed Martial Arts. Do you have a special program for out-of-towners? Is it possible to train with you, personally?
A: We now have an academy in Saint-Petersburg that's associated with the Red Devil club, and we have a gym.
So far we haven't worked with visiting fighters.
It is possible to train with me, but that's more likely in Stary Oskol, since I am there more often.
Q: Fedor, some websites say that in 2001 you fought with Martin Lazarev in an MMA match at the RINGS Russia vs. Bulgaria II show. More established sited do not have that fight. Did it really happen?
A: I did "fight" with Martin Lazarev, but that was in 2000. I won via a choke.
Q: I read in one of your interviews that you were thinking of becoming a politician. Is it true? If so, then why? In my opinion, athletes who become politicians lose the respect of their fans, and don't achieve anything notable in politics either. Look at Karelin, for example.
A: I am not planning to become a politician.
Q: My name is Cyrill. I am 14, and I've been studying boxing for two years. Can I come from Saint Petersburg to Stary Oskol and join your training camp? What should I do? Who should I call?
A: Why don't we start small. Let's meet in Saint Petersburg in the Red Devil club.
Q: Where does your nickname "The Last Emperor" come from?
A: That's what the Japanese fans call me.
Q: Hello, Fedor! When are you planning to retire? Are you afraid of losing and retiring defeated?
A: In the nearest future we'll sign a contract for a year or two, so I am not planning to retire at least for that long. I try not to think about losing, and I will not lose on purpose.
Q: One notable characteristic of Russian fighters is that they are completely calm before and during the fight. It's impossible to see any signs of nervousness. Where does this calmness come from? Is there some special psychological training?
A: There is no special training, it's just a character trait. As one gains experience, one learns to get one's emotions in order for a fight.
Q: What's more important for you as a fighter: the ability to earn good money, or the worldwide popularity and fame of the best fighter in the heavyweight division and in all of MMA?
A: All of these factors are important for me. Remaining the best heavyweight fighter is the most important one.
Q: Is there and particular fighter you would like to compete with in the future?
A: Yes. Rulon Gardner, the Olympic champion who defeated Aleksander Karelin.
Q: Are you planning to hold a seminar in Finland?
A: I haven't received any offers to do that so far.
Q: Do you ever have dreams where you are in a ring, and do you usually win, like in reality, or does the fight not go according to plan?
A: I do sometimes have dreams where I am fighting, but I don't try to remember those dreams or try to attribute any meaning to them.
Q: Why didn't you take part in the filming of the "Pride Decade" program? A large part of the program was dedicated to you, and everyone said that you are the greatest fighter in the world.
A: I haven't received any offers to participate in that program. This is the first time I hear about it.
Q: I'd like to know the status of the championship belt, although it is just a formality. Since you are not under a contract right now, and since you are in negotiations with Zuffa, have they threatened to take away your title? Do you still have your championship belts?
A: During the first stages of negotiations there really were threats to take away the title. At this point, it's no longer a problem. It seems that we have found some common ground.
My championship belts are in a sports academy in Stary Oskol, so that kids who study there can see them and have something to strive for.
Q: When are you going to compete in Russia again? Where is it going to be?
A: One of the conditions of our next contract will be participation in the next Mix Fight show in Russia. It's planned for next year, and will be held, most likely, in Moscow, in the Fall.
Q: Do you prefer rules that include elbows and a cage, or a ring and no elbows?
A: As far as I know, from now on UFC and Pride will have identical rules.
Q: Could you provide regular comments on MMA shows and fighters performances? You could just mentions some key points, mistakes, advantages, etc, and the the web guy could just put it all on the web site...
A: I don't really have much time to watch the shows....
Q: How is your youngest brother, Ivan, doing? How's Cyrill (Sidelnikov)? Have they recovered from the injuries?
A: Ivan is not going to compete in MMA. Cyrill is progressing well. He has recovered from the injury and has started training again.
Q: How was it talking to Putin? Any memorable moments?
A: We had tea with Vladimir Vladimirovich and discussed various topics. He mentioned that he watches the fights when he can and that he is very interested in our performances.
http://bel.ru/pics/news/2007/05/08/24231_58759.jpg
Quote:
Online meetings with Fedor Emelianenko, in which the athlete from Stary Oskol answers questions from his fans on the official website of the champion, have already become a tradition. While these meetings do not happen very often - there have been only five since the creation of the site by the "Bel.ru" information agency - it's a great opportunity for all of the participants to get their questions answered by the champion himself.
http://bel.ru/pics/news/2007/05/08/24231_58758.jpg
Many of the questions focused on Fedor's recent fight in the BODOGFight "Russia vs. USA" tournament, held in Saint Petersburg on April 14.
Q: Lindland admired your armbar in his last interview. He indicated that he has never seen it done that way before, and that it was an unusual way to do it. He said that he did not think he was in danger until he felt his arm straighten. What was it? Sambo? Jiu-jitsu? Catch wrestling? Something new?
A: That submission was standard, the implementation was mine. I blocked his arm by squeezing it very tightly with my legs.
Q: Did you see the fight between Gonzaga and CroCop in the last UFC? What did you think of Gonzaga? What was CroCop's mistake?
A: I saw that fight. It was clear that Gonzaga had studied CroCop very well, and he was able to do some things that other fighters had not done before. That is, he followed a predefined plan. He had a very intelligent strategy. CroCop could not get into the fight, even though his level of skill was above Gonzaga's.
Q: In the last two fights you fought from the top position and won via submission. Tell us, why didn't we see the ground and pound techniques we are so used to seeing from you?
A: There was no need for it. I felt that I will be able to win via submission.
Q: Dana White said recently that the losses of former Pride fighters in UFC show that the level of Pride fighters have always been inferior to UFC. What's your opinion of the UFC fighters, for example, Couture, or Arlovski?
A: I don't think that fighters in Pride are weaker than the ones in the UFC. In my opinion, the Pride fighter roster is stronger. I really like Randy Couture; I really respect him as a fighter and as a person. He deserves admiration. Andrey Arlovski is a very tough fighter, and I like his matches. Although, he does not always use his strongest qualities.
Q: Do you have any experience with elbow strikes? Is it going to be hard for you to adjust to the UFC rules if you compete in that organization?
A: I do use elbow strikes, and I am working on that technique. I don't think I'll have any difficulties with the rules.
Q: Hello, Fedor. I am 17 years old, and I live in Yakutsk, Russia. I'd like to come to the Red Devil club and study Mixed Martial Arts. Do you have a special program for out-of-towners? Is it possible to train with you, personally?
A: We now have an academy in Saint-Petersburg that's associated with the Red Devil club, and we have a gym.
So far we haven't worked with visiting fighters.
It is possible to train with me, but that's more likely in Stary Oskol, since I am there more often.
Q: Fedor, some websites say that in 2001 you fought with Martin Lazarev in an MMA match at the RINGS Russia vs. Bulgaria II show. More established sited do not have that fight. Did it really happen?
A: I did "fight" with Martin Lazarev, but that was in 2000. I won via a choke.
Q: I read in one of your interviews that you were thinking of becoming a politician. Is it true? If so, then why? In my opinion, athletes who become politicians lose the respect of their fans, and don't achieve anything notable in politics either. Look at Karelin, for example.
A: I am not planning to become a politician.
Q: My name is Cyrill. I am 14, and I've been studying boxing for two years. Can I come from Saint Petersburg to Stary Oskol and join your training camp? What should I do? Who should I call?
A: Why don't we start small. Let's meet in Saint Petersburg in the Red Devil club.
Q: Where does your nickname "The Last Emperor" come from?
A: That's what the Japanese fans call me.
Q: Hello, Fedor! When are you planning to retire? Are you afraid of losing and retiring defeated?
A: In the nearest future we'll sign a contract for a year or two, so I am not planning to retire at least for that long. I try not to think about losing, and I will not lose on purpose.
Q: One notable characteristic of Russian fighters is that they are completely calm before and during the fight. It's impossible to see any signs of nervousness. Where does this calmness come from? Is there some special psychological training?
A: There is no special training, it's just a character trait. As one gains experience, one learns to get one's emotions in order for a fight.
Q: What's more important for you as a fighter: the ability to earn good money, or the worldwide popularity and fame of the best fighter in the heavyweight division and in all of MMA?
A: All of these factors are important for me. Remaining the best heavyweight fighter is the most important one.
Q: Is there and particular fighter you would like to compete with in the future?
A: Yes. Rulon Gardner, the Olympic champion who defeated Aleksander Karelin.
Q: Are you planning to hold a seminar in Finland?
A: I haven't received any offers to do that so far.
Q: Do you ever have dreams where you are in a ring, and do you usually win, like in reality, or does the fight not go according to plan?
A: I do sometimes have dreams where I am fighting, but I don't try to remember those dreams or try to attribute any meaning to them.
Q: Why didn't you take part in the filming of the "Pride Decade" program? A large part of the program was dedicated to you, and everyone said that you are the greatest fighter in the world.
A: I haven't received any offers to participate in that program. This is the first time I hear about it.
Q: I'd like to know the status of the championship belt, although it is just a formality. Since you are not under a contract right now, and since you are in negotiations with Zuffa, have they threatened to take away your title? Do you still have your championship belts?
A: During the first stages of negotiations there really were threats to take away the title. At this point, it's no longer a problem. It seems that we have found some common ground.
My championship belts are in a sports academy in Stary Oskol, so that kids who study there can see them and have something to strive for.
Q: When are you going to compete in Russia again? Where is it going to be?
A: One of the conditions of our next contract will be participation in the next Mix Fight show in Russia. It's planned for next year, and will be held, most likely, in Moscow, in the Fall.
Q: Do you prefer rules that include elbows and a cage, or a ring and no elbows?
A: As far as I know, from now on UFC and Pride will have identical rules.
Q: Could you provide regular comments on MMA shows and fighters performances? You could just mentions some key points, mistakes, advantages, etc, and the the web guy could just put it all on the web site...
A: I don't really have much time to watch the shows....
Q: How is your youngest brother, Ivan, doing? How's Cyrill (Sidelnikov)? Have they recovered from the injuries?
A: Ivan is not going to compete in MMA. Cyrill is progressing well. He has recovered from the injury and has started training again.
Q: How was it talking to Putin? Any memorable moments?
A: We had tea with Vladimir Vladimirovich and discussed various topics. He mentioned that he watches the fights when he can and that he is very interested in our performances.
http://bel.ru/pics/news/2007/05/08/24231_58759.jpg