New Fedor Emelianenko Interview

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Fedor Emelianenko: Even though I'm popular in America, I still fight for Russia every time.



Legendary champion came back to Stary Oskol not too long ago.


by Vyacheslav Vedmanov

His fights are watched by Vladimir Putin, his army of fans is led by Jean Claude Van Damme; Chuck Norris roots for him every time...

Currently this athlete is preparing for the upcoming fight with ex-UFC champion Tim Sylvia. The fight will happen on July 19 in California. Every day Fedor is in the gym starting in the morning. Watches his opponent's fight videos together with his coaches - Aleksander Michkov and Vladimir Voronov. We were able to catch the four-time Combat Sambo champion, and an undisputed world champion of mixed martial arts, at the training session, after which he was able to give us an exclusive interview.

First, we would like to congratulate you with your coaching degree. Do you expect to coach new fighters at the Fedor Emelianenko academy, which is being created in Belgorod? How do you think this degree will come in handy in the future?

The diploma will definitely come in handy; it's knowledge; it's an indication that I can already work as a coach. Regarding training at the Academy - it's currently being built, we don't know yet when it will all be finished. I hope that I still have some time to perform in the ring myself.

European champion in combat sambo and Stary Oskol native - Kirill Sidelnikov, sees yourself as a mentor. Is this one of the fighters that can replace you in the future?

As a heavyweight - yes, he has all the chances. He is gifted, humble, likes to work - a guy with a Russian character.

You have done some seminars for foster home children in Nizhniy Novgorod, will there be similar events in the future?

We just came to visit those kids. Usually those kids don't get much attention from adults. We also visited a foster home in Stary Oskol. But unfortunately we don't have the means to organize such events in many other places. To tell you the truth, sometimes there is not enough time for family and friends.

"Red Devil" - is this your new team? Can it be considered a backbone of our country for mixed martial arts?

"Red Devil" is a St. Petersburg based club, which is headed by Vadim Finkelstein, my manager. I fight for this club and represent it on the world arena. It has guys from all of Russia: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Bryansk, Ufa, Vladivostok, and also guys from Belgorod and us from Stary Oskol. Everyone is training at their cities. From time to time we meet to train or perform together.

Currently you have a contract with M-1 Global, before that you used to be in Pride. Now, Pride is no more?

In boxing you have 3 main organizations, others are considered secondary. In the mixed martial arts world there were two organizations - Pride, and a much less popular UFC. UFC, wanting to kill Pride, bought out the shares and many of its fighters. Right now, there is a new organization, that put together many of the top 20 fighters from all over the world. "M-1 Global" right now will be doing its first event in America and will be doing more events regularly.

When you were in Pride, many athletes wanted to go there, even Mike Tyson wanted to be there. Do such famous athletes follow you to M-1 Global?

Many fighters did not sign a contract with the UFC, just because I and Vadim did not sign. They just waited where we will end up. It doesn't matter what the organization is. What matters is the roster of participants.

"M-1 Global" will not limit you in fighting for Russia?

The first thing we decided was that I have a right to compete in Russian and World championships in Combat Sambo. I can also compete around the world. The only exclusive rights that are pertinent to me is competing in America. I have a contract for 3 fights.

According to the poll on a cult sports magazine from America "Sport Illustrated", you were on the top 25 toughest athletes. Among all of them you are the only Russian. Why did America vote for you like you are an accomplished Russian athlete?

American public likes my fights and my competitions. They know us in America and that's why America voted for me.

How are things going with the mixed martial arts movie, that Jean Claude Van Damme wanted to make, where you were supposedly given a lead role?

In the near future this film will not happen. It's possible that in September/October there will be filming of another movie, but to tell you the truth, it's a secret for now. There will be Russian and American actors, including myself. Chuck Norris is not one of them yet. Filming will be done by our filmmakers, possibly overseas.

Vladimir Putin has expressed much interest in you. Do you have plans to tie yourself with a political career?

Right now, no. I don't think about that. I'm still competing in the sport. You need to just think about the sport and not to scatter your energy into other fields.

How did you become friends with Putin?

Fedor gives a humble smile:

Well that's a strong word probably. It's just that Vladimir Vladimirovich saw my fights. He expresses a big interest to this sport. When we met, it was very pleasant to talk to such a man.

Putin is a famous Judo practitioner. During his presidential service sometimes he would come out on the mat. When you met did he offer you to wrestle?

No, he didn't ask to wrestle, but he was interested in my training regiments. Vladimir Putin is a very athletic person. When we met he told me that he goes swimming every morning for 20 minutes, plus he does some other physical exercises.

Fedor Emelianenko Cup - what is this event and what's the future for it?

The cup was organized by the guys in Nizhniy Novgorod for the first time this Spring. Big thanks to the organizers. Everything was at the very high level, I would give them the highest grade on the organization level. All the fights were entertaining. By the middle of the competitions, the whole place was overheating, chanting, everyone was pumped up. I know that in the Fall time, there will be more competitions in Nizhniy Novgorod. Similar events are being planned in Perm, Ekaterinburg and other cities. Mixed martial arts is gaining crazy popularity all around the world, everyone is interested, but in our country this sport is not that popular yet. We have very good prospect fighters, good organizations, but for now we don't have a good support from the TV stations, and that is most important for our sport.

Your upcoming fight with Tim Sylvia - do you prepare for it somehow, is he a serious athlete?

He is a very serious and worthy opponent. They don't let me fight weak fighters. Tim Sylvia currently holds fourth position in the world rating, he has a very good knockout punch, he is also not a bad wrestler. He is 2 meters and 2 centimeters in height, 120 kilograms in weight, he is a five time UFC champion in American octagon, this says alot.

M-1 Global announced creating a new reality show "Fighting Fedor". What does this project consist of, who will be participating and when will the casting of fighters begin?

Yes, this project is being planned, I believe, for the Fall. Vadim Finkelstein is doing this project. I don't really know which stage it's in right now. It is being created to popularize fighting, and also to shine a spotlight and to pick young guys from different countries, to train together. Participants will compete in a tournament-type system. Only the strongest one will be left, and I will fight with him.

On April 5th this year, you were one of the St. Petersburg athletes to carry the Olympic fire. Is your participation in the Olympics being considered in any form?

I was invited just to visit the Olympic games; I'm not sure if I will have time, but I would like to go.

What were your feelings when carrying the torch?

It was wonderful, of course.

What are some changes in your personal life?

We are building a house. Everything is good in my family. Me and my wife Marina had a girl - Vasilisa, she is now six months old.

What gives you strength to win, what is your talisman of luck and sports will?

we have the best team, I am being trained by the best coaches. We have strong guys, which are trying to achieve all the highs in this sport. I'm being supported by my friends, family, Well, and when you come out to the ring, the main motto is - for Russia!