Fedor Emelianenko Q & A

In a recent online meeting at Fedor's site, he spent some time to answer some very interesting questions. In particular, question #3 for me. The content below comes directly from Fedor's forum translated from Russian to English. Very interesting read.

From Fedor's Forum:

Q: In your opinion, who are the best fighters in the world under 96 kg, and in what order?
A: I think they are Shogun, Wanderlei Silva, and Chuck Liddell

Q:What did you think of the Silva/Crocop fight in 2006 GP?
A: Mirko was technically sound, but Wanderlei was unrecognizable; I think he gained extra weight and wasn’t doing what he should have.

Q: Is there a chance to see you in the UFC? Did they offer you a contract?
A: I don’t know what the chances are, this is really a question for Vadim Finkelstein (Fedor’s manager – CF). At this point Pride is the best MMA organization in the world, so we compete in Pride. Although, we did receive offers from UFC.

Q: What do you think of the UFC champion, Tim Silvia? How high does he rank compared to the top ten heavyweights?
A: Frankly speaking, I never really thought about this. I haven’t seen many of Tim’s fights, so I can’t really say where exactly he is in the top ten. The fights that I saw weren’t bad.

Q: What do you think of “Systema”?
A: I don’t understand the question.

Q: Young undefeated UFC fighter Diego Sanchez trained with you. What do you think of him and of George St. Pierre?
A: We never trained together, but I saw his fights. I think he is a good, promising fighter.

Q: If Nogueira and Cro Cop had a rematch today, who would have a higher chance of winning?
A: Everything depends on how they implement their game plans. If Mirko keeps it standing, Nogueira will suffer. At the same time, if Nogueira forces his game on Mirko and brings the fight to the ground, Mirko will have less of a chance to win, since he is weaker on the ground.

Q: If you found yourself in a submission hold that you thought you couldn’t get out of, would you tap out?
A: I’ve never been in such a situation, so I really don’t know what I would do.

Q: Were you rocked by Mark Hunt’s punch to the back of the head in your last fight?
A: It didn’t rock me, but it was unpleasant.

Q: Do you think that Mirko can do better in a rematch against you? Do you think there is a reason to do a rematch? Did he get better? Does he have anything that can be a threat to you?A: I think that Mirko can do better if he fixes his mistakes, but I will also try to come up with some threats for him.

Q: Have you signed a contract with Pride?
A: At this point the negotiations are ongoing. We have a preliminary agreement between us in place.

Q: Is there a chance for a fight in Russia, and when?
A: It’s planned for April by M-1 together with Bodog.

Q: How serious is your toe injury?
A:At this point everything is fine, I am not even limping anymore. It was unfortunate that I broke it before the fight, so we had to cancel the sparring sessions and running. The only thing I could do was working with punching bags.

Q: When is your next fight?
A: It’s in Spring, in St. Petersburg. I might also participate in the Russian Combat Sambo Championship in February in Ulan-Ude.

Q: Do you know of any young fighters who can be a challenge for you in a fight? Kirill Sidelnikov, perhaps?
A: I think he is too young. Although Kirill is learning very fast; he is a promising fighter. I really hope that he can fill my shoes some day.

Q: Does living in Russia satisfy your personal ambitions?
A: Yes, completely.

Q: Do you know Putin personally? Someone should tell that judoka whose “kung-fu” is better.. You might want to do a better PR – maybe more people in the country will start learning the sport.
A: No, I do not know Putin personally. We have never met in person yet. I’ll think about better PR.

Q: You have beaten all real contenders in Pride. Who’s next?
A: I don’t know who’s going to be next in Pride, we have not discussed it yet. It might be Nogueira, again, or Josh Barnett.

Q: Was Hunt’s submission attempt a real threat? We were all thinking that was it!
A:There really was absolutely no threat.

Q: When you fought Mirko, starting with the second round we could see in his eyes that he was lost. It felt like he realized that he cannot beat you. You beat him at this own game. Was it a revenge for your little brother? Your attack was quite ferocious.
A: No, it wasn’t because of my brother. It was our tactic and a desire to fight.

Q: We agreed with Igor (Fedor’s website admin – CF) that you will be on air live on Sport 93.2 FM. Will you have some time for Q&A?
A: Yes, it’s scheduled for January 11, and I’ll try to be there.

Q: Are you going to build your house in Oskol or are you moving to Moscow suburbs?
A: I’ll build it in Oskol. Frankly speaking, I don’t want to move anywhere.

Q: During the fight with Cro Cop, Pride showed your spouse in the audience. She must have nerves of steel to be able to watch you fight. How does she do it? Is she completely confident in your ability to win?
A: Well, you should really ask her…

Q: You are participating in the Bodog promotion in March. Is this a single fight with you remaining in Pride, or is it a real possibility that you’ll join BodogFIGHT?
A: No, we do not have a long-term contract yet, but it’s really a question for Vadim (Fedor’s manager).

Q: We haven’t heard much from your brother Aleksander. Are we going so see him in MMA, and if so, when?
A: He will continue to fight in MMA. His next fight will be in April.

Q: They call you Russian Fighting Machine. You are ready for any fight under any circumstances.
A:So far that’s how it is, both in MMA and in life.

Q: What does one need to do to become such a “machine” in our country? It’s more genetic than acquired..
A: No, it’s all acquired. I wouldn’t say that I am so naturally gifted athletically.

Q: Do you think that you were lucky to become who you are now in our country, in our conditions?
A: There was some degree of luck, of course, but I mostly achieved it through hard work.

Q: What was your hardest fight, when you had to overcome yourself?
A: Fights are probably not the hardest thing. It’s the training – sometimes it’s extremely hard.I never had to “overcome myself”. My hardest fights were probably with Nogueira and Crocop.

Q: Fedor, Happy Holidays! Could you share your analysis of the fight with Mark Hunt?
A: Thank you. Everything was generally under my control. It’s hard to zero in on one specific point, but I felt that I’ll catch him in a submission. Although, I could fight him standing as well.

Q: What do you think about the Monster division (120 kg and over)?
A: I think it will be interesting to see large fighters.

Q: Gran Prix is held every four years for each weight category. What’s the sense in holding it for unpopular weight brackets, if some stars in middle and heavyweight brackets might not be there long enough for the next Gran Prix?
A: The management has more insight into this, they know what they are doing.

Q: What do they say behind the scenes in Pride about Mirko Filipovic? Is he coming back to Pride?
A: As far as I know, he went to the UFC.

Q: Did you have to deal with hazing in the army, that is, did you have to fight with senior soldiers, and how did your service go in general?
A: The army made a real man out of me. I never had to fight with senior soldiers, but I had to assert my rights several times.

Q: Are you planning to train in Holland again?
A: Yes, I am planning to train in Holland again, focusing on kicking technique. I have many friends there. I can’t tell exactly when I am going to go yet.

Q: Fedor, were you hurt by that terrible throw by Randleman? I trained sambo myself, and I felt like my soul was knocked out of me after such slams.
A: It really wasn’t anything. There was no damage to my health at all.

Q: Is the ring surface similar to tatami?
A: No, it’s harder.

Q: How often do you have to search for extra strength when it seems like there is nothing left? All of your opponents gas before you do. Does that mean that you train more, or that you do more endurance training?
A: I think it’s the result of training in general, as well as endurance training. We go to the fighting camps in the mountains before the fights specifically for that reason.

Q: Did Aleksander listen to the useful advice of his brother? Are you training together?
A: No, we are not training together.

Q: Do you think that Crocop went to UFC because he could never defeat you? Or was it the money? Probably the former..
A: I really don’t want to say anything negative about him. Of course any contract includes financial considerations.

Q: You said that Hunt’s submission attempt was not a real threat. Did he have a chance to complete it? I thought that he was not doing it quite right. Is that the case? Or is it that sambo practitioners have more flexible joints?
A: No, he really wasn’t doing it correctly. But even if he was doing it right, I don’t think it would have worked. No one could ever submit me with it, even in training.

Q: What do you think about American rules modifications: 5 minute rounds, no knee strikes to grounded opponents? Is that an advantage or a disadvantage for you?
A: The new rules really do not matter for me.

Q: Is it hard to fight athletes who are taller than you, who have more muscle mass and weight? If you imagine a hypothetical fight with a fighter who has not trained but is extremely strong, for example, a strongman competition winner, would he be able to overpower you?
A: You can beat them. I don’t think such a fighter will be of any threat to me.

Q: Fedor, be careful, don’t take such risks. Yoshida tried to fight standing, and you saw how that ended. What do you think was his mistake? And why were the refs so inhumane to just drag a fighter in deep knockout to the ring and continue the fight?
A: Yoshida’s problem is that he does not develop his striking technique. His grappling base alone is no longer enough to win. I did not see the fight, but so far the refs have behaved correctly.

Q: Fedor, I have a very practical question. You often say that your strength training is limited to pushups, pull-ups and crunches. How many push-ups and pull-ups can you do?
A: I never do push ups to the limit. I do one or two sets, and I do at least 20 pull-ups as fast as I can.

Q: Do you think Aikido has a chance in PRIDE?
A: Aikido, I think, has no chance in Pride.

Q: Have you though of coming to the Black sea to train? We have all the right conditions: the sea, the mountains..
A: It would be great to go to the sea for a vacation, but not to train.

Q: How long are you going to be in Moscow? Is it business or pleasure?
A: I’ll be in Moscow for a couple of days on personal business.

Q: Have you completed filming in Valeria’s music video?
A: No, not yet.

Q: Do you know our boxers Kostya Dzu, Oleg Moskaev, Valuev?
A: I know Valuev. I haven’t met Kostya and Oleg, but it would be nice to meet them and talk sometime.

Q: Does the Ministry of Sport help you in any way?
A: No, they don’t.

Q: Will Roman Zentsov fight in Pride?
A: He will fight in Bodog; there is nothing set up in Pride right now.

Q: What are techniques you training right now?
A: We are training everything.

Q: What do you think of the common wisdom that an athlete needs to rest one day of every week, one week of every month, and one month of every year? Do you have enough time to rest to recover?
A: No , I don’t have enough recovery time. I’d like to rest more.

Q: Who in your team is responsible for planning the high-altitude training? Have there been any mistakes (in the camp planning )? Do you use your previous plans and experience of other athletes (specifically, athletes in the endurance sports – cross-country skiers, etc)?
A: My coaches, Voronov and Michkov, plan the camps. We had no mistakes so far. We maintain contact with some track and field guys, and the coaches use their experience.

Q: In your opinion, how many times a year can an athlete of your caliber be in top shape and have serious fights?
A: If one rests and trains well, one can do 3-4 fights a year. It’s possible to do up to six fights, but then one will be burned out psychologically.

Q: I’ll repeat the question about Francisco Filho. He is a karate master and a star of K-1, who has knocked out our Ruslan Karaev in December. He is also in negotiations with Pride. He trains with the Brazilian Top Team. Does he have a chance to succeed in Pride, or is it too hard to learn ground grappling later in life, and a karateka would have little chance in Pride?
A: I think you can learn to grapple later in life, and the chances will be relatively good.

Q: Do you ever allow yourself any alcohol? Beer, maybe?
A: I do, but not beer. ))) (! A SMILIE!)

Q: Why do think Russian athletes do not want to make MMA their future? Do you have any plans for your involvement with MMA after you retire?
A: I haven’t thought about my future (after retirement). Russian athletes do not want to make MMA their future because so far MMA really has not developed in our country.

Q: Is it harder to train and fight now than in the beginning of your career? Now that you have accomplished everything, does that soft comfortable couch look more appealing?
A: Yes, you start thinking about future rest. You start to want a real vacation.

Q: Have you ever thought in the beginning of your fighting career that your future will turn out this way, or rather, that you will turn it and kimura it this way and achieve everything you have?
A: No, I didn’t. Although, when I started fighting, I realized that it’s my calling and that I will be able to succeed.

Q: Jean Claude van Damme’s offer was very intriguing. Have you thought of studying acting? Frankly speaking, I would really like to see you in a good action movie.
A: Right now I don’t have time to study acting yet.

Q: Knowing your popularity in Japan, Korea, and, hopefully soon, in the United States, I’d like to know if you’re open to collaboration with Russian companies to advance their brand in those countries. Have you talked to ALROSA (diamond business)?
A: No, so far we have not received any offers, but we are open to collaboration.

Q: Where did your colleagues Roman Zentsov and Amar Suloev go?
A: Amar lost a fight and has not fought in Pride since. He had to deal with some problems with this son’s health.. Roman also had some time off, but now he is planning to fight in April. Very recently he won two fights in Konti.

Q: In Korea, you mentioned a video game where you will play the coach. Are we going to see a game with Fedor the Fighter, or Fedor saving the world, for example? Promise to think about it!A: Ok, we’ll think about it. The game should be out by now, but you’ll only be able to play it online.

Q: Who would you like your children to be?
A: I never thought about it. I just want them to be happy.

Q: How widespread is the problem of steroid use in MMA? What’s your opinion of Kevin Randleman? Does he eat well? : ) Did his diet help him in his famous throw? Or was it his technique, or luck?
A: There is mandatory steroid testing before and after each match. As far as Kevin’s throw goes – it was probably his technique.

Q: Do you think you are a naturally gifted fighter, or were you able to develop your talent?
A: I think I developed my talent, but mainly I am able to see problems in my game and the game of my opponents.

Q: Do you think that hard work leads to success in all fields and all situations?
A: Yes, I think so.

Q: What are your thoughts on the fact that Pride, the best promotion in the world, often invites people who can’t even be called professional fighters?
A: This is a decision by management and the fighters themselves.

Q: I think that fighting in the ring and in the cage is different. Also, the strategy of the fight really changes depending on whether elbow strikes are permitted. As a fighter, are you interested in the UFC?
A: It’s more of a curiosity.

Q: I think that you move faster than any other heavyweights. Were you fast as a child? Were you a fast runner?
A: I wasn’t a fast runner as a kid, and I didn’t move that fast either.

Q: Do you ever quarrel with your wife Oksana?
A: Sometimes.

Q: Do you watch TV?
A: I do.

Q: Is there a fighter, or fighters, who you would like to fight in the ring?
A: I’ve never really thought about it.

Q: I thought that after the fight with Hunt you have several things to work on. Do you already have solutions to these problems? Also, when you faced off with Hunt in the center of the ring before the fight, it seemed that we no longer have the usual energy. I am very worried.
A: Most likely it was just tiredness. I need to rest more.

Q: You fought many fighters in Pride. When were you in your best shape?
A: I try to be in my best shape for every match, and can do it every time.

Q: One more question about the Hunt fight. When I watched the fight, I did not see Hunt tap out. Was he unable to do it?
A: The ref did not stop the fight right away. Hunt’s joints were creaking, and he tapped out verbally. Once he did, the ref stopped the fight right away.

Final message: Thank you, everyone, for your participation and your questions. If you did not have a chance to ask your question, I will be glad to answer them live on radio. See you next time (! A SMILIE AGAIN!)