Q. Your comments about Cro Cop´s defeat against Gonzaga. This knockout was very heavy, Cro Cop was out for long time.
F. Sorry, I haven´t watched this fight. Vadim told me about how this fight went. I don´t know will he (Cro Cop) still want to participate in fighting. After such knockout´s you need minimum 6 month to stay away from the ring. It is very difficult to recover psychologically. After the defeat from Randelman, the Japanese gave Mirko two weak opponents, the third bout was against Alexander. This 3 wins gave Mirko his confidence and spirit back. How it will be now, I don´t know.
Q Why is no one of Russian fighters close to you. In terms of the same success into MMA? I think this is certainly due to the personality and ambitions?
F. I don´t know. I don’t train with Alexander. Roman Zentsov trains most time in St-Petersburg. Young fighters unfortunately lacks of experience.
Q. Did the punch from Matt Lindland rocked you ? Matt said in his interview that his hand was in pain after the fight. Also there was a lot of talk about the ropes. Your comments.
F. Nothing serious happened. When I missed Matt´s strike, I did not think that it would cut me. Only then I realized that I need to make the fight short. In my past fights I don’t made the submissions to the end to not injure the rivals. I did this in the Hunt fight and in RINGS. But this time I made the submission harder. Matt´s hand cracked three times before he tapped. Generally Matt is cool guy – fighter who thinks. He holds his fights well. I respect him. With Henderson I am in friendly relations, too.
Q Why you stoped the submission on Matt´s ankle ?
F. I didn´t want to lose profitable position.
Q Mark Hunt said after the fight, that to be in the same room with you, it is honor.
F. Hunt? (Laughs) I am pleased to hear it.
Q Situation with UFC Pride ?
F. At the moment no contracts with any organization. There are interesting offers from Bodog. Bodog plans to hold two more events, possibly in Moscow, I don´t plan to participate.
Q Your future plans ?
F. Nothing concrete. Sambo meeting in Russia in June and in the fall to world championship in Prague. Maybe another seminar in France and build the house in Stary Oskol.
Q. How can I join the Fedor Team ?
F. Getting in to the team is possible. We must look at you. But at the moment I have no time to do it.
Q Do you plan in opening schools in Moscow.?
F Not yet. This is just due to lack of time
Q You condition now ?
F No injures I feel good.
Q What do you think about to join the UFC ?
F. Everything depends on the proposals and contracts. So far, all at the stage of negotiations. There is always an alternative, if we not agree with some.
Q When will begin the filming with Van Damm?
Filming planned in august.. But so far, all at the preliminary agreement. No Contract yet.
Q Pride Title Defence. When ?
F. The contract with Pride ended. Everything is not clear. One owner, two organizations. ended. But if there is a concrete proposal, I am ready to fight. Everything depends on what they offer
F. Sorry, I haven´t watched this fight. Vadim told me about how this fight went. I don´t know will he (Cro Cop) still want to participate in fighting. After such knockout´s you need minimum 6 month to stay away from the ring. It is very difficult to recover psychologically. After the defeat from Randelman, the Japanese gave Mirko two weak opponents, the third bout was against Alexander. This 3 wins gave Mirko his confidence and spirit back. How it will be now, I don´t know.
Q Why is no one of Russian fighters close to you. In terms of the same success into MMA? I think this is certainly due to the personality and ambitions?
F. I don´t know. I don’t train with Alexander. Roman Zentsov trains most time in St-Petersburg. Young fighters unfortunately lacks of experience.
Q. Did the punch from Matt Lindland rocked you ? Matt said in his interview that his hand was in pain after the fight. Also there was a lot of talk about the ropes. Your comments.
F. Nothing serious happened. When I missed Matt´s strike, I did not think that it would cut me. Only then I realized that I need to make the fight short. In my past fights I don’t made the submissions to the end to not injure the rivals. I did this in the Hunt fight and in RINGS. But this time I made the submission harder. Matt´s hand cracked three times before he tapped. Generally Matt is cool guy – fighter who thinks. He holds his fights well. I respect him. With Henderson I am in friendly relations, too.
Q Why you stoped the submission on Matt´s ankle ?
F. I didn´t want to lose profitable position.
Q Mark Hunt said after the fight, that to be in the same room with you, it is honor.
F. Hunt? (Laughs) I am pleased to hear it.
Q Situation with UFC Pride ?
F. At the moment no contracts with any organization. There are interesting offers from Bodog. Bodog plans to hold two more events, possibly in Moscow, I don´t plan to participate.
Q Your future plans ?
F. Nothing concrete. Sambo meeting in Russia in June and in the fall to world championship in Prague. Maybe another seminar in France and build the house in Stary Oskol.
Q. How can I join the Fedor Team ?
F. Getting in to the team is possible. We must look at you. But at the moment I have no time to do it.
Q Do you plan in opening schools in Moscow.?
F Not yet. This is just due to lack of time
Q You condition now ?
F No injures I feel good.
Q What do you think about to join the UFC ?
F. Everything depends on the proposals and contracts. So far, all at the stage of negotiations. There is always an alternative, if we not agree with some.
Q When will begin the filming with Van Damm?
Filming planned in august.. But so far, all at the preliminary agreement. No Contract yet.
Q Pride Title Defence. When ?
F. The contract with Pride ended. Everything is not clear. One owner, two organizations. ended. But if there is a concrete proposal, I am ready to fight. Everything depends on what they offer
