04-07-2008, 05:39 PM
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MMA Wannabe
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 30
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Fedor Emelianenko Carrying the Olympic Torch
Guess that kinda sucks for any protestors in Russia.... :eek:
Not sure where this interview is from but it's recent from April so i though it was worth including too.
Quote:
You will be one of the carriers of the Olympic torch for the Beijing Olympics in St. Petersburg on April 5. How does it feel to represent Russia?
I feel very good. I was chosen as one of 5 carriers of the torch. I'm very happy and proud.
It's said that you have to be quite famous in Russia to represent the country as the carrier of the Olympic torch. How popular are you in Russia? Do a lot of people recognize you?
A lot of people recognize me. People recognize me on the streets but some people just pass by thinking it's just someone who looks like me(laughs.) I sign a lot of autographs. It'd be hard to tell you exactly how popular I am.
A lot of fighters seem to be challenging you these days. Kimbo Slice, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Randy Couture are a few.
I fought Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira twice and beat him both times. I'm not under contract with the UFC so I won't be able to fight Randy or Nog at this moment.
Dana White said 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?
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.
Is there still a possibility of a match against you and Randy Couture? If so, where will it likely be?
I trust my manager Vadim. If he thought severing the relationship between the American side was necessary, there was probably a valid reason for it. We've met with Randy's manager a few times. I think there's definitely a chance that we'd fight each other.
(Finkelstein):I think Randy Couture is the best opponent for Fedor, that also wants the fight to happen.
UFC President Dana White said that you weren't the best in the world. What are your thoughts on this comment?
I think Dana White is just a very weird person. So I don't particularly care about what he says.
What do you think about the UFC's policy of signing exclusive contracts? Will you be willing to fight under an exclusive contract if they offer you the right money?
The offers the UFC has given me so far weren't satisfactory. Like I said before, my manager knows more about these matters. But as far as I know the UFC hasn't given me a good offer.
What are your thoughts on EliteXC?
As far as I know my manager Vadim is currently in negotiations with the UFC and EliteXC.
The move Choi used to take you down was a ssireum (Korean traditional Martial Art) technique. How effective was it, in your opinion?
I don't think the effectiveness of a takedown is that important. In my opinion, the most important thing is the result of the fight. Choi took me down but didn't do that much damage. He only got the top position. The fact that I beat him using technique, is what is important but he's a very huge and interesting fighter.
Your second daughter was born last year. How do you spend time with your family when you are not training?
I take a lot of walks in forests and outdoors and talk to my daughter a lot. She smiles a lot. I spend time with my family whenever I have free time.
Russians like to drink. You've probably tried soju in Korea. How much can you drink, in bottles of soju?( a Korean alcoholic beverage with about 20% alcohol)
I did try Korean soju. But I don't drink to find out how much I can drink. I drink occasionally when I meet friends or have an important meeting. I don't drink to get drunk so I don't know how much I can take.
You're known to enjoy theme parks around the world. Where have you been to, and what is your favorite?
My favorite place (in terms of theme parks) is Japan. This one rollercoaster in Japan was the most impressive one I've tried. It was great. There was a good ride in Korea too. I like going to theme parks.
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?
That submission was standard, the implementation was mine. I blocked his arm by squeezing it very tightly with my legs.
Matt Lindland said in his interview that he'd like to have a rematch. Do you think he will be able to perform even better?
I'd like to have a rematch with Matt. I really respect that fighter;he reminds me a lot of Randy Couture.
Do you consider yourself the best heavyweight fighter in the world?
I never considered myself the best fighter. (less)
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