Dozens of mixed martial arts fans sent me questions on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith for the sport's top fighter, Fedor Emelianenko, and now Fedor has answered.Taking some time out of his preparation for his Strikeforce/M-1 Global fight against Brett Rogers on November 7, Fedor answered FanHouse readers' questions about how he prepares for his fights, who his toughest opponents are and why he's sticking with Strikeforce and M-1 Global instead of signing with the UFC.
The questions and answers for Fedor are below.
AlexJBerkman Has he changed his training to prepare for his first fight in a cage? And if so how?
No, the training is the same every day. We made some incremental adjustments for the cage.
antoinefafard: Question for Fedor: Is your training the same every day or do you sometimes focus more on certain aspects of the game?
In general the training is the same but the week is divided in training sessions during which we focus on one aspect of the game: wrestling, striking, et cetera.
RhythmSignal: Fedor seems to challenge opponent's strengths (ground Nogueira & Coleman-standing up Arlovski & Crocop). Is this intentional?
When you know the opponent's strength you put an emphasis on it when preparing for the upcoming bout. My ground skills were good before the bout against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira because I have the judo and sambo background. For the fight against Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic, we went to the Netherlands, where I trained the stand-up with the best strikers.
Carl_Hnatiuk: Fedor, Strikeforce has a few decent heavyweights, but after a few main events, what does the future hold for you in Strikeforce?
We'll see. At the moment I'm content with what M-1 and Strikeforce has to offer. My contract is for three fights so we'll see after that. I take one fight at a time.
dustinriddell: After Brett Rogers who else would be a good opponent for you?
There are several top fighters in Strikeforce and M-1 now, and keep in mind that a year is a long period. A new top opponent might emerge. At the moment there is Brett Rogers, Fabricio Werdum. Of course there is Alistair Overeem, the Strikeforce heavyweight champion. Antonio Silva will fight Werdum on Nov. 7 during the same Strikeforce / M-1 Global event I fight. There are free agents like Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski. There is enough challenge for me out there.
JohnKrolik: You've said Cro Cop gave you the toughest fight of your career. Why do you think he's struggled in the UFC?
I think it has to do with motivation. He had won the Pride Grand Prix in 2006 and maybe he needed to have a rest after such a big accomplishment. I don't know but I hope he will be alright.
joelmclaughlin: I'd like to know if he's ever thought about (and if he's attempted) making a cut to 205.
No, I've never attempted it and I don't see the point of making such a cut in my case.
sir_roc_obama: The question I have for fedor is the question EVERYBODY has for fedor - why didn't you make the deal happen with UFC?
The conditions offered by the UFC were not good enough. There were many points both parties were OK with, but at the same time, there were some sticking points that were not resolved. I'm 100% satisfied with what Strikeforce could offer me and my company M-1 Global. We talked to them and I like their style, behavior and the way they treat people with respect.
ThePatBurke: When will Americans be able to see Aleksander, your brother, fight in the US?
I think Aleksander himself should answer this question. He is on his own right now -- managing his own career now -- so I can't say definitely about that.
neyvit: Fedor, what do you think is the ideal # of fights per year at this stage in your career?
About three fights a year.
Resnicno: : I'd like to know who are his favorite fighters and if he's still thinking about an UFC debut in the future
I like watching Gegard Mousasi fight. He fights smart.
MTFIII - Ask him if he's a fan of other sports, and whether he has met, or would like to meet, other Russian professional athletes.
When I have some free time, I like watching sports. Last year, I was honored to bear the Olympic torch with many other prominent Russian athletes. Also when I come to Moscow or St. Petersburg I meet professional athletes occasionally.
beewsee: How much longer does Fedor plan on fighting?
I can't predict the future. All I can say now is that I enjoy doing it today.
Comments (Page 1 of 4)
I got a question for you Al Fedor. Why are you afraid of Brock Lesnar or Carwin? Could it be that you saw your friend Crocop smashed? You are not a fighter. You got a better chance being the best ice-cream eater champ than P4P No.1. I know Fedor fans will attack me. Fan House is amazingly pro Fedor. Sheeple find their way here. But I don't who said what. Fedor is a fat man who can't fight. Until he comes to the UFC and fights tough guys, he is dodging and dodgers are not fighters.
exp - it really sucks that the rest of us (intelligent people) have to listen to your retard, garbage mouth. If you have ever seen a single Fedor fight, you know that he is a stone cold killer in the ring ... he fears no one.
"You are not a fighter"
"Fedor is a fat man who can't fight"
These are 2 of the most uninformed, and yes retarded, statements I have ever heard. You're not a fan of MMA, you are a fan of yourself ... pathetic.
Exp, in all honesty, did you ever watch a single MMA fight before your hero Brock Lesnar joined the UFC? If so, then I will have to agree with the general sentiment of the posters above that you are indeed retarded.
If you had watched before Lesnar, you would know that Pride had the best heavyweights in the world - and Fedor beat every single one handily.
You're obviously a moron. And most likely a a recent addition (albeit unwelcome to MMA's fanbase). Go watch his fights, recent or not, and you'll see why he's regarded as the best of the best. He's fought fighters bigger and better than those mentioned in your assinine comment and tooled them all. F'ing troll.
EXP
did your parents have any children that lived??you are a MORON.stick with viddy games,water polo and ????.you know nothing about fighting.loopey git.
wow...you must have never watched his fights...and wouldnt you think that it would be somewhat difficult to go out for 32 fights and lose only one...by a doctor stoppage? the other was a No Contest...This man has not lost a fight...So if he cant fight,you should have no problem stepping in there with him (im not even a fedor fan btw...i just tell it like it is)
Obviously, you don't anything about MMA
EXP: I AGREE WITH YOU 100 PERCENT!! WHO RIGHT NOW HAS THE BEST FIGHTERS IN THE WORLD, THE UFC ORGANIZATION. FEDOR IS OVERRATED HE MADE IT SEEM LIKE HE WAS INTERESTED IN JOINING THE UFC BUT HE IS SCARED SH1TLESS OF REAL COMPETITION AND WAS NEVER GOING TO JOIN THE UFC HE IS A SCARED PUPPY WHO IS BEING PROTECTED. FEDOR IS OVERRATED AND WILL GET NO RESPECT UNTIL HE FIGHTS QUALITY COMPETITION AND NOT WASHED UP OR UPCOMING FIGHTERS PERIOD!!!!
You are the one dishing insult. Ask yourself a question:
1. Is Fedor fat? yes.
2. Does fighting Zulu make you a fighter? No.
I only tell the truth and it stings. I know. Your childish, immature name calling doesn't bother me. Fedor is protected. I am sorry you sheeple don't want to believe it.
I'm not name calling ... I seriously think you're retarded.
Why? Because I think you sheeple are brainwashed by the mainstream media to buy the myth that is Fedor? I feel sad for you. Hong Man Choi and Zulu don't make a fighter out of a Russian. Even with Mousasi, he could have submitted Fedor but no! His Russian friends told him he had no right to beat the mighty Fedor. Fedor is a brand. He's been protected, especially these last few years. I don't really care what you think of me. Your childish behavior is up there with Glenn Beck and Limbaugh
You can keep ranting if you want, but I'm done with you ... period.
I am not ranting. You are name calling. Your attitude doesn't shock me. You are the same fans who threaten Cecil Peoples. I feel sad for you. There is more to life than MMA.
RETARD
AGAIN, you know nothing about MMA
LOL...exp is so stupid I can't stop laughing. ROFL
but seriously exp...are you retarded? if you are its nothing to be ashamed of. maybe you should get a sword tattood on your chest and then people wouldn't think you're so retarded b/c that is cool these days right. then maybe get some fat rolls on your waist and arm pits like lesnar. oh wait, is that fat rolls or extra skin from all the steroid stretch.
Fedor not a fighter? Umm i wouldnt go that far. What ever his reasons for not going to the UFC he is still a great fighter. But if you feel confident that he is not a fighter then by all means go and try to fight him yourself. I wish you the best of luck. But like so many before you im sure your nothing but an internet tough guy.
Exp... Fedor not a fighter? Seriously? Whatever his reasons are for not going to the UFC dont make him not a fighter. He is one of the best fighters in the world. But if you are confident in thinking he isnt a fighter then by all means go and tell that to him and challenge him to a fight. I wish you the best of luck. But like many before you ibet your an internettough guy and nothing more.
Fedor would beat me. But that's not what I mean. He is scared of whatever. His Mafia M1 friends are scared for him too. He is certainly not the "best human being in the history since Adam."
These people are violent man. You need to have a certain violent side to you to fight like a pro. I am all peace. That's why I don't even want to be in the same building as Fedor.