joshhall

Fedor Emelianenko.  Photo: M-1 Global

To hardcore MMA fans, the name Fedor Emelianenko needs no introduction.  The man nicknamed “The Last Emperor” became a legend fighting in Japan, where he won the Pride heavyweight title and the Pride 2004 Heavyweight Grand Prix.

Although he has fought three times in the United States before, defeating former UFC heavyweight champions Mark Coleman, Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski, all three bouts aired on pay per view events that were seen by far fewer viewers than an average UFC show.  In one week, though, Emelianenko will fight before the biggest audience of his career when he headlines the prime time network television special CBS/Strikeforce/M-1 Global Saturday Night Fights airing on Saturday, November 7 at 9:00 PM.  Emelianenko will face undefeated Brett Rogers in the main event for a shot at Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem sometime in 2010.

Emelianenko recently took time out of his busy schedule to grant me an interview in which he discussed his outlook on fighting, his place in the sport and his plans for the future.

When you've found yourself in trouble during a fight (like when Kevin Randleman suplexed you or Kazuyuki Fujita landed that big punch on you) did you react purely on instinct or were you thinking logically about what to do next?

It was both. As an athlete, you go through a training routine every single day, so thinking fight-wise is embedded in your DNA if you do your work diligently. You just do what’s the best in a particular situation. That’s why I clinched with Fujita.

How do you control your emotions during a fight? How do you avoid feeling anger or frustration during a fight when those emotions seem so natural to most fighters?

As you say, the above mentioned emotions are natural to the fighters, but not to every one of them. Actually, everyone has his own patterns of behavior. And what you see from me is the real me. I don’t play for the public. I concentrate on the upcoming fight. I don’t waste any emotional or physical energy.

Do you approach a fight convincing yourself that you are invincible or do you feel that at any time you could lose?

Nobody is invincible. I keep that in mind when preparing for a fight. I do my best during the preparation stages so that I know I’ll give my best in the ring or cage. One who reposes on his laurels will be the one to fall.

Are you becoming more comfortable with being an idol to so many people or do you still have difficulty accepting that?

I don’t like the word idol. I’m proud that people respect me, follow my career and appreciate what I do. That’s completely fine with me.

You are considered by many to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time. Do you understand your place in the history of the sport or do you think that you won't be able to until after you retire from fighting?

I want to be remembered as a good ambassador of the sport. That’s what I always try to do – popularize MMA in the world in general and in Russia in particular. I definitely don’t consider myself to be the best. There is always room for improvement. That’s something I keep working on day in, day out.

Some successful fighters, like Mirko Cro Cop, say that they struggle with motivation. How do you continue to motivate yourself when you've already accomplished so much?

As I said just previously, I strive to popularize the sport, to improve myself. Competing itself is a good motivation for me now.

You are credited by many with turning Gegard Mousasi into one of the greatest fighters in the world. When your fighting career is over, would you like to coach fighters full time or will you walk away from the sport of MMA forever?

Well, it’s overestimation to say I’m the one responsible for making Gegard who he is now. We trained together but he’s a very talented young man who has experienced coaches around him. He trains hard and gets rewarded accordingly. After retiring I’ll keep training young up-and-coming athletes in Stary Oskol.

What do you think is more important in a young fighter, natural talent or mental attitude?

It’s perfect when you have both. Using me as an example you can argue that attitude and work ethic are pretty significant factors. Talent is something you are born with, but future accomplishments are something you need to work on very hard.

What is the best quality that a fighter can possess? What is the worst?

As for the best, there are different things that come to my mind like work ethic, sportsmanship, dedication to the sport. And the worst…well, the opposites of the best qualities (laughs).

What are your thoughts on your next opponent, Brett Rogers?

He’s very strong, a knockout artist as you could see. He’s rightfully in the top ten. I’m not underestimating him at all.

Will you fight Josh Barnett in the future, either in the United States or Japan?

Yes, if it’s aligned legally.

Many fighters are obsessed with money and base every career decision around it, but not you. How do you resist the lure of money and why is it important for you to live a modest life?

Originally, I came to MMA because I needed money to provide for my family and judo or sambo had no way to let me earn money. Of course I loved the sport from the beginning, too. But now I’m financially secure and I do that just because MMA is the best sport you can imagine and I’m proud by being a part of it.

When you are finished fighting, how would you like fans to remember you in 20 or 30 years?

A good ambassador of the sport.

Special thanks to Fedor Emelianenko and Jacob Schaap at M-1 Global for making this interview possible.