From Cincinnati.com
Question: Who gave you the nickname "Spider" and why?
Answer: The person who gave me the nickname Spider was (an) announcer from Pride (another mixed martial arts company) because of my long arms and legs.
Q: Brazilians are famous for Jiu-Jitsu and soccer. Were you ever a soccer player?
A: I do play soccer still. I like soccer a lot, but I love fighting.
Q: In March, Franklin called you into the octagon after his fight in Columbus to ask for a rematch. Was that a surprise, or was it planned, and if planned, whose idea was it?
A: It wasn't planned as far as I know. I did figure that Rich, being the former champion, that there was the potential for something like that to happen. I'm not sure (whose) idea it was. I know it wasn't mine.
Q: Why did you agree to give Franklin a rematch after defeating him so impressively in the first fight? What do you hope to gain by fighting him again?
A: I agreed to give Rich a rematch because after losing the belt he has came back and won two in a row against some very tough opponents. I hope to put on another great performance for the fans and gain another victory and title defense.
Q: What do you think of this fight taking place in Franklin's hometown, instead of at a neutral site, and why did you
agree to fight in Cincinnati instead of elsewhere?
A: As a fighter, I always get very motivated for new challenges. I can't think of a greater challenge than fighting Rich Franklin in his hometown.
Q: Do you expect a hostile crowd, and if so, how do you plan to deal with it?
A: I will deal with it like I always do - with a big smile on my face.
Q: What do you know about Cincinnati, if anything?
A: I know it's in the middle of the country.
Q: Do you expect the same kind of fight this time from Franklin in terms of strategy?
A: Rich is a very talented and experienced fighter. I'm sure Rich and his team are going to come very well prepared.
Q: You've been on a roll since defeating Franklin. How are your current fighting form and health compared to a year ago?
A: My health compared to a year ago is much better. I feel great and am training very hard to keep my belt.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
QA with the Spider regarding his upcoming re-match/title fight with the ACE Franklin
UFC - Close to signing Fedor?
Fedor in the UFC man I wish. I can't wait to see a Fedor vs. Couture (the can) fight.
As reported by MMA Weekly:
Fedor Emelianenko is universally regarded as the top heavyweight, if not the top overall, fighter in the mixed martial arts world. Ever since the purchase of Pride FC by Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, who’s Zuffa, LLC, also owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Fedor has also become the most highly sought after fighter on the planet.
The longtime heavyweight champion in Pride, the promotion’s demise has left Fedor with no other choice but to look elsewhere for employment. The popular assumption of course is that he will end up in the UFC fold along with most of the other top fighters from the Pride organization.
With Fedor’s management team reportedly having met with UFC officials earlier this week, the widespread speculation has been that terms were reached and that it was all but a done deal that Fedor would soon fight in the Octagon.According to a report by Sherdog.com’s Josh Gross, that is not necessarily so.
Fedor’s management team said that while the UFC offer is the most lucrative offer that the MMAWeekly.com #1 ranked heavyweight has received, there are still several sticking points that have kept them from recommending their client sign with the sport’s largest promotion in the world.As has long been speculated, Apy Echteld, one of Fedor’s managers, confirmed that the UFC’s requirement of exclusivity is still one of the reasons that the deal has not been approved, as well as the contract not being guaranteed. These are very important points to Fedor and several other organizations vying for his services are willing to concede them according to Echteld.