An Exclusive Interview With Fedor Emelianenko
What if Magic, in his prime, took on Michael Jordan one-on-one? Could the 1972 Miami Dolphins hang with this years’ New England Patriots? Could Hank Aaron have hit Pedro Martinez at his most dominating? Most dream match-ups only play out in barroom debates. But MMA fans could very well see a battle between two of the top heavyweights in the sport's short history, Fedor Emelianenko and Randy Couture–as long as the suits can get out of the way.
The chances of M-1 Global, Emelianenko’s fight league, and the UFC (currently in the midst of suing Couture for breach of contract) setting up a joint promotion seems unlikely. But if it came down to buzz rather than lawyers, the fight would be a lock. A video report featuring Emelianenko and Couture facing off while filming a commercial for Affliction last Friday attracted more than 50,000 views on YouTube in its first two days alone.
We sat down with Emelianenko in downtown Los Angeles recently to find out about the status of the potential showdown with Couture, how he found his way to the ring in the first place, and who would win a cage match between George Dubya and his counterpart in Fedor’s native Russia Vladimir Putin.
The full interview and more pics after the jump.
Complex: You shot a commercial for Affliction clothing last Friday with Randy Couture. Did you two discuss a possible fight between takes?
Fedor Emelianenko: We just took photos and did the commercial. We talked about different stuff – about our families, we invited each other to our homes. Randy talked about how he visited Russia to train one time. That's about it.
C: Randy's made it clear that you're the one person left that he wants to fight. If it never happened, at the end of your career would you feel like you missed out on something special?
Fedor Emelianenko: If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. That's it. But I think it's going to take place because I think that everyone wants it.
C: Who do you think wants it more: You, Randy or the fans?
Fedor Emelianenko: The fans want it more.
C: Do you hear it directly from fans?
Fedor Emelianenko: I don't hear it in person from the fans, but I know it from the questions that the media ask me and from the Internet, so I feel they want me to fight Randy.
C: What would a fight like that mean to you? What would you gain from it?
Fedor Emelianenko: If I win, I would be considered one of the strongest fighters ever.
C: Beside Couture, what other heavyweights you'd like to meet in the ring?
Fedor Emelianenko: (laughs) I don't know who else would agree to fight me.
C: Would you ever consider dropping down to light heavyweight in order to find a good fight?
Fedor Emelianenko: I would never consider that because I feel comfortable where I am right now. Also, I'd have to diet a lot, and I don't like that. (laughs)
C: On New Year's Eve you fought Hong-Man Choi, one of the largest competitors (7′ 2″ and 350 lbs.) in MMA. What adjustments did you have to make to fight someone of his size?
Fedor Emelianenko: I didn't have any adjustments or anything. Me and my trainer set up a strategy when we saw his fights on television. Then me and my team trained together, and they would try and copy some of his movements and actions.
C: What draws you to this? What got you involved in fighting?
Fedor Emelianenko: When I was little, my mom said, 'Why don't you and try (martial arts),’ and I did and I liked it. I fanatically started training and really got into it. It grew and grew each year. That's how I got into sambo and judo first and then I decided to do MMA after that.
C: What made that decision for you, to go from practicing strict martial arts to actually getting in the ring?
Fedor Emelianenko: I needed money. (laughs)
C: If not MMA, where would you be?
Fedor Emelianenko: Probably I would be still doing sambo and judo. Maybe training younger fighters.
C: Vladimir Putin shows up to your fights on occasion, and the idea of our president showing up to support a fighter seems strange here in America. Have you talked with Putin?
Fedor Emelianenko: Putin once visited me after a fight. Our president is very athletic. He develops and tried to give more attention to sports in Russia right now, which is nice. We did talk.
C: So, would he take out President Bush in a fight?
Fedor Emelianenko: Our president is a black belt in judo and he is also a master in sambo. So if they did that … (laughs) But I think that our leaders should decide their issues in a different way.
C: In between fights, what else are you doing besides preparing for that next match?
Fedor Emelianenko: I have two sambo tournaments including the President's Championship. The rest of the time, I'm just planning to be with family.
–Interview by Robert Spuhler
Emelianenko will return to MMA action under the M-1 Global banner on April 11th in Chicago against an opponent that has yet to be determined. It will be M-1’s American debut.
Kyle Stewart January 23, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I’ve been waiting to see Fedor fight Randy for so long now and I’m pumped to hear that Fedor is ready and willing to accept the fight and that he thinks it will happen. They just need to put all the bullshit aside and give the fans the fight the fight of a lifetime.
Dave January 24, 2008 at 2:15 am
Randy would destroy Fedor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike January 24, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Randy destroy Fedor??? Dave, you are on crack and are obviously a “UFC fan” and NOT an MMA fan… haha. Remember, It’s the “Ultimate Fixed Championship” over there.
mmaninja January 25, 2008 at 12:08 am
Haha, Fedor is so diplomatic…Putin is a judo blackbelt and “But I think that our leaders should decide their issues in a different way”
Robbie Brunjes January 25, 2008 at 10:55 am
This will be the chess match of the century. The win will be dependant on who brings his top game.
This will be bigger than the Hendo-Rampage fight and i hope the politics of the sport will get out of the way. however, if i must choose, i think Randy will get the W.
Rob Carter January 25, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I don’t know much about Fedor except that he is one of the most recognized fighters out there but if you look at UFC fighters vs. fighters from other organizations, it pretty much goes in the UFC’s favor. It’s a world of upsets so who knows but I`m rooting for the `Natural`.
heinzmann January 25, 2008 at 1:19 pm
hey rob carter pride has the 185 @ 205 belts so how is it that ufc is better fedor will send couture into retirement
Max January 25, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Mike you are on crack. Im not saying that Randy will kill Fedor…but to say that the UFC is the “Ultimate Fixed Championship” shows how ignorant you are about MMA. Im sure Randy knocking out Silva was set up right? Your an idiot buddy.
BT January 25, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Couture has about 1 or 2 “great” fights left in him & Fedor’s not gonna be around forever. For this fight not to happen would be a travestry to MMA. UFC, M1, whoever, just get it done. Everyone involved would get paid for sure.
john January 26, 2008 at 10:37 pm
LOL, love how people dont know what the hell they are talking about….On both sides of course. There are zero reasons for fedor to fight couture ever. Fedor has nothing to gain from fighting couture while couture has everything to gain. Fedor should fight someone that matters such as josh barnett a real top 3 fighter not couture who has a record of a stepping stone mma fighter(which he was considered to be at one point rofl).
Either way there are much better fights fedor should be trying to get this fight would be the most $$$$but pointless for him.
FedorFan January 28, 2008 at 3:45 pm
What? Fedor can kill Godzilla!!!!!! Yea Punks!!!
FedorFan January 28, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Please!!!!! all these ufc fighters that even dream about beating Fedor should wake up and apologize!!
Scott January 28, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Fedor vs. Randy, not an important MMA fight? Couture doesn’t matter? Fedor has nothing to gain by it? Hmmm…Fedor has looked impressive against every fight he has been in. Randy has outboxed exceptional strikers, worked over black belts on the ground and outlasted guys drastically younger. These guys may be the two best heavyweights. Whoever won would get an incredible boost to their status in the MMA world. How can this not be a great fight?
DaBoss January 29, 2008 at 6:34 am
If i had to put money on it, It’d definetly be on Fedor. But could you imagine if Randy somehow found a way to win the fight? Not by cut, but by K.O. or submission? it would be one of the greatest feats in combat sports ever. I love Randys warrior spirit, and i believe he would give it his all. I think Fedor would win, but i would not count Randy out. Some story it would make if he did pull out a win over Fedor. Randy shouldnt even be fighting anymore, let alone fight the best in the world. Tip your hats to the man and give him his respect.
Crooked jaw January 29, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Randy never knocked out tim sylvia it went to a decision im not a randy hater i think he has a shot to win most definetly but i personally think fedor will win i think randy is out of his prime and think that either way randy has nothing to lose if he loses then he was supposed to fedor should have beat him anyway if he wins its the greatest upset in fight history either way i cant wait to see it if it happens im not here to preach for fedor im just out here to tell everyone if they think randy is goin in there and dominating fedor i think you guys need to brush up on your mma knowlege
max February 11, 2008 at 4:12 am
hey guys on mm news on hd net they said that all fedor’s opponents were hand picked who knows about it
ski February 13, 2008 at 2:41 pm
i think randy is capable of a win against fedor, but fedor would beat him. fedor is quicker, has a better chin, and has superior submission skills. i agree with you john, a fight against barnett would be even better. definately a top 3 fighter. if anyone can do it, its barnett. and i’m tired of everyone saying fedor needs to fight gonzaga, i called it from the start, gonzaga is one of the most overrated mma fighters along with anderson silva. ok so silva isnt that bad, i’m just biased cause i hate his voice.
tobey February 18, 2008 at 11:53 am
fedor is the only fighter i have ever seen who fights like his life depends on it, randy also has been known do give a good fight, but look at the stats. fedor has lost once in his life, and it was by decision. i also believe that he should fight other people like rampage from the ufc. cause if he did he would be recognized a lot more. but fedor has been my favorite for the longest time. and is not afraid to fight anyone thats why i respect him cause he can back it up.
Gibby February 20, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Look at the records here. Fedor has 1 loss, actually 1 no decision due to a cut. He has beat the top level heavys in the world. He beat Barnette, he beat Nogeria twice. Check out his stat sheet and wins. Look at vid clips of his wins. But the most important thing is look at his face and demeanor when walking into the ring. He looks like he’s going for a walk with his kid. He doesn’t look scared or worried t all. He is completly calm. After the bell rings however he is a different person. Randy is a great fighter but I think Fedya will win. BTW thumbs up to both fighters for being good sports and gentlemen while filming the commercial.
Joe glickoe February 29, 2008 at 8:20 am
Pride fighters aren’t successful in UFC isn’t accurate…have you ever watched a whole Pride event or just FSN occasionally? Nog is UFC heavyweight champ, Silva is UFC Middleweight champ and Rampage is UFC Light heavy champ. All three of these guys had a lot more problems fighting in Pride. When they bring lighter guys from Pride in I wouldn’t be suprised to see a Lightweight champ and Welterweight champ X-Pride fighters.
Just because some Pride fighters have lost in UFC doesn’t make UFC a more dominant league. How many UFC fighters went to Pride and won belts? Chuck, Pulver, Randleman, Barnett and Coleman all held UFC belts and were unsuccessful (couldn’t win belts) in Pride. Nick diaz beat Gomi that’s 1. Shogun, Mirko, Wand and Hendo….Hendo lost to another Pride guy in UFC (Rampage), Shogun and Mirko never held belts in Pride just won a tourny each, Wand lost a decision to Chuck it happens. To try to say because of this Fedor isn’t much of a favorite to beat Couture is funny. My opinion is Pride and UFC were on par with each other but Pride had the edge especially in the Heavyweight division and the quality of show put on.
john April 3, 2008 at 9:10 am
I really think there’s absolutely nobody who can beat Fedor now. Not couture, sylvia, barnett, arlovski, crocop, noguiera, gonzaga, nobody!!!
Nobody beats Fedor…He is not human. He’s at another level. He is unbeatable!!!!! I have watched mma since 1993 and I have never seen someone like Fedor. He is a different animal. I like couture but I think his chances of beating is very slim or if not none!!
John.
MMAGURU May 1, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Comment by Gibby:
“Fedor beat Barnette”
First of all, it is Barnett NOT Barnette.
Second of all, they never fought.
I just hate it when noobs that watch pride on youtube or FSN act like they know what they are talking about.
Randy would lose to Barnett, Nog, Cro Cop, and Werdum. He beat Tim Sylvia via decision. It was more hype than an impressive fight. People were cheering for the underdog not because Randy was doing anything.
Randy can’t beat Fedor.
Sylvia has a better chance of beating Fedor.
BTW, there was a headbutt to Gonzaga’s nose in Gonzaga-Randy fight.
Alabaster May 7, 2008 at 12:53 am
I think they should hold a best of MMA and fight all the best in the different leagues. It would benifit all the different fighters and styles thru media and fan reconition.
Also I do not think that it is a good idea for
Couture to fight anyone again due to the fact of his next fight is going to hurt him bad. He should step out with those one or two fights left in him.
clinton May 14, 2008 at 7:05 am
blah blah blah
donuts May 14, 2008 at 11:54 am
fedor and hinson gracie is more like it.Couture is a know name oh slow weak ass. Fedor will make love to that guy like if he were punishing him in prison.no match
alex petrovich May 16, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Fedor is the best. Not becuase he’s popular. Because he’s solid. He’s defeated everyone they put infrotn of him, and he doesn’t want to be affiliated with just one league. that is honourable and “warrior spirit” of him. I have the most respect for Fedor out of any fighter, he seems like a gneuinely nice guy that has taken so much punishment from opponents but has delivered just as much to them all, burying them all into the ground.
He reminds me of the heavyweight version of Karo the Heat Parisyan. They both crank the pressure on their opponents, and they both hit like bricks and the movements I only noticed this recently but Karo really reminds me of the smaller Fedor. Judo and sambo styles of both fighters are actually what have made them so successful, and there is nobody else in the heavyweights that can compete with Fedor’s ability.
Randy is good, but not great.
Mike the Greek. May 16, 2008 at 7:36 pm
I am a huge MMA fan. I have been wanting to see Fedor vs Randy for a long time.I believe that both guys are awesome,but if the dream match was to happen i would put my money on Fedor.The reality is randy is a great wrestler but Fedor has a sick way of being able to arm bar you on his back. Also his hands are like Mike Tyson.
I wish that Dana White and The UFC would just sighn Fedor and not be cheap with his contract. Also i feel that Fedor needs to step up to the plate and work with the UFC because all the real top fighters are in the UFC. Who in there wright mind would leave the UFC to fight Fedor?And if they did, After the Fedor fight who else would they fight? ALL THE BEST FIGHTERS ARE IN THE UFC,EXCEPT FOR FEDOR. Fedor needs to be fighting the top guys if he wants to be cosidered the best in the world. Every other orginization is just the minor leagues.
billyboy May 18, 2008 at 7:48 am
fedor will beat everyone haha
Scott May 25, 2008 at 3:33 am
What does Fedor need to prove? He has already beat the interim heavyweight champion of the ufc twice. Antonio just beat big tim to get and oh yea not to metion Heath Herring which is now the #1 contender. I love the ufc but it seems to me that as a whole the better fighters come from pride. I also will like Randy but I think it ould be in his best interest not to step into the ring with Fedor and leave as a champion.
Heaton May 30, 2008 at 1:05 pm
fedor will beat both!
Kowloon May 31, 2008 at 12:04 am
I really want to see this fight, but IMO Fedor will win, most probably via submission or unanimous decision. He is always so dominant in every single one of his fights. Except for that one time where he almost got KOed by Fujita, he’d never have any major problems with any fighters.
Not only did he pound the crap out of the UFC interim champ (former #1 in MMA; respects to Nog, but he did get his ass kicked), he beat the best fighters of his age: Cro cop, Heath Herring, Semmy Schilt (K-1 champp), Mark hunt (former K-1 champ), Randleman (I dont think anyone could survive such a suplex), Mark Coleman (former UFC champ)…
Why do fans still think Fedor has to prove anything further? Even if he beats Tim Sylvia and Couture, those two fighters will be a small add to the already luxurious list of fighters who’ve messed with the best and failed like the rest.
I would really want to see the Fedor vs Couture fight, but only to shut the UFC fanboys up, not because of it is a good matchup (Fedor is just too much for Couture, who I respect). There are VERY few fighters with realistic chances of beating Fedor, and that includes Cro cop (yes, he lost against Fedor and is currently in a slump, but Fedor himself admitted that the Cro cop fight was his hardest ever), Barnett, and Nog (if he improves his takedown techniques, he would win. this guy is un-KO-able.)
paul mac June 21, 2008 at 11:36 pm
ohh yea and about that headbutt to gonzaga…youre the noob it was gonzagas own knee from randy picking his massive dumb body up and slammin him that messed him up…no head butt…and yess this will be the greatest fight of all time if it happens…They are the same fighters in there heads…have to give it to fedor cause you really cant hurt him or frustrate him…and the past records fedor owns…but we will see.my moneys on fedor
Fedor July 20, 2008 at 1:24 am
Fedor submitted Tim in just 35 seconds. This is his best showing in any MMA fight. Here is some links about Fedor for those who just discovered him.
http://www.fedor.bel.ru/index_eng.shtml
http://fighters.mmaanalytics.com/about.aspx?detail=fedoremelianenko
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fedor_Emelianenko