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Another Scalp for The Last Emperor
©
Marc Wickert Special
thanks to M-1 Global’s Jacob Schaap On November 7, 2009, the world’s
undisputed King of MMA, Fedor Emelianenko, fought yet another incredibly
gutsy battle to retain his reputation as the greatest fighter of all
time. By defeating the highly respected Brett Rogers, Fedor took
his MMA tally to 31-0-0-1* and won a new legion of supporters both in
America and throughout the world. As Victory Belt’s Erich Krauss
said in an earlier interview of his meeting with Fedor: “Physically,
he was a lot smaller than I expected. To see him devastate some of
the world’s greatest fighters, he’s not all that big of a guy…
He’s just kind of a big guy, not really tall, not too muscle-bound.
He looks like an average huskier guy, but in training he just blows your
mind.” (http://www.knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-erich_krauss.htm) Most times it’s a David-vs.-Goliath
scenario when Fedor fights, as promoters pit him against man-mountains
in order to make his fights interesting and challenging. Against
Rogers, Brett weighed in the day before their fight at 264 lbs and stood
at 6’4”, whilst Fedor came in at his usual modest weight of 232 lbs
and stood 5’11 ½”. And there’s every chance that Rogers
would have blown out to around 280 lbs on the day of the bout. However, there is a lot more than
mere size to Brett “The Grim” Rogers, who prior to the Strikeforce/M-1
Global match sported an impressive 10-0-0 MMA record, with his last
victory being over Andrei Arlovski and coming just 22 seconds into the
opening round by way of knockout.
Fedor
Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers
On the night of their showdown,
Brett did take it to Fedor, cutting Emelianenko’s nose in the opening
seconds of the bout with a powerful jab, which caused the mighty Russian
to breathe through his mouth for the remainder of the fight. But
as you’d expect from the greatest fighter of all time, Fedor weathered
the storm and toughed it out in spectacular fashion to TKO Rogers at
1.48 into the second round. After their extraordinary battle, it
was originally thought Fedor could be out of action for up to six months
with his injured left hand, but surgeons later determined
Emelianenko’s left thumb had been dislocated, and he was operated on
in Los Angeles where two pins were inserted to repair the injury.
Fedor
Emelianenko was already a living legend in Japan before November 7,
where he ruled as “King of Pride MMA” for so many years and earned
the moniker “The Last Emperor”. Since his epic bout at
Strikeforce/M-1Global: Fedor vs. Rogers, Emelianenko’s name has
spread like wildfire in the US and throughout the rest of the world
through CBS’s coverage of the fight. Now The Last Emperor is
also respectfully known as “The Baddest Dude on the Planet”. And as talk of this amazing Russian
warrior travels, so does speculation of his next battle. Many fans
are predicting Alistair Overeem to be Emelianenko’s upcoming opponent
when Fedor fights again for Strikeforce/M-1 Global.
M-1
Global’s Jacob Schaap sporting Fedor T-shirt
To find out more about the amazing
phenomenon of MMA, Knucklepit caught up with M-1 Global’s Jacob
Schaap, who graciously answered the following questions. Jacob,
the attendance for Fedor vs. Rogers was listed as 11,512. Was M-1
Global happy with the response? “Yes,
we were very happy with this number. It was a sold-out house!” Apparently
the event was televised in 40 countries. How successful was that? “We had very good responses.
I think we were lucky with the fights: All four televised fights went
exactly as we wanted to and were spectacular.” Fedor’s
bout with Rogers was an epic battle, and certainly one that is already
being regarded as a “classic fight”. What are your thoughts on
that match? “I think it showed
that Brett was a very dangerous and serious opponent. I think it
also showed how good Fedor is. Brett was bigger, stronger and more
experienced in a cage, but Fedor still came out winning.” Do
you think the fight exceeded public expectations? “Yes;
for sure. I think many people underestimated Rogers.” Brett
Rogers can hold his head high, can’t he? “Like
I said, he did very well. He proved to be a legitimate heavyweight.” Fedor
said he had left Los Angeles after surgery, and he was flying to Korea
before returning to Russia. Is that North or South Korea?
What is the purpose of his visit? “South
Korea. He will do a commercial deal in Korea.” Will
Fedor receive a big reception in Russia? “I
am not sure, but I can imagine he will.” He
was the King of Pride. A lot more Americans are becoming aware of
him now, aren’t they? “The
last time he fought in the US, only a few hundred thousand saw Fedor;
this time over 5 million people have seen Fedor on network
television.”
Fedor
Emelianenko – Just Your Average Guy
Brock
Lesnar received a mixed response from the crowd at each of his UFC
bouts. And now he’s pulled out of his next scheduled UFC
appearance. Do you think the world has never been more ready for
Fedor? “From
my understanding, Brock was sick or injured, so no one pulled him out of
the fight. I think the US was already ready for Fedor. He is
a great and humble champion, and I think everybody likes that.” Do
you have a date for Fedor’s next Strikeforce/M-1 Global match? “Not yet.” There’s
a lot of speculation that Alistair Overeem will be Fedor’s next
opponent. Can you shine a light on that prospect, please, Jacob? “Nothing
is determined yet, so no – I can't help you. I know Alistair has
some fights planned in Japan for now.” Strikeforce
President Scott Coker said M-1 Global was responsible for much of the
international airing of Fedor’s matches on p-p-v. Will we be
seeing Fedor’s next fight in Australia? “We will be working on that, for
sure!” Jacob,
is there anything you’d like to add? “I
would like to thank you and all the Australian fans for their support of
M-1 Global and Fedor.”
Fedor Emelianeko g’n’p-ing Brett Rogers Fight
fans can now visit Fedor Emelianenko’s new website at: teamfedor.com *Knucklepit does not
acknowledge Fedor Emelianenko’s loss to Tsuyoshi Kosaka at King of
Rings on December 22, 2000, which occurred when the fight was halted
after 17 seconds due to Fedor’s being cut by an illegal blow. Fortunately,
Emelianenko avenged the inappropriate TKO decision by defeating Kosaka
via TKO at Pride-Boshida 6 on April 3, 2005.
FEDOR EMELIANENKO Part
2 The Last Emperor Chats with Knucklepit
©Marc
Wickert Special
thanks to Jacob Schaap, Joost Raimond and M-1 Global On
August 1, 2009 Fedor Emelianenko will be returning to the Honda Center
in Anaheim, California, to defend his WAMMA World Heavyweight Title at
Affliction M-1 Global ‘Trilogy’: Emelianenko vs. Barnett. Although
Trilogy is a whacker-packer stacked card, all eyes that evening will be
focused on the main event as fans strive for an opportunity to witness
the greatest fighter of our time appear before them. This is the
kind of experience people share half a century later when they’re
asked by their grandkids, “Did you really see Fedor Emelianenko in
person?” After
Fedor’s knockout of Andrei Arlovski at Affliction Banned, guest
commentator and former UFC Champion, Tito Ortiz, stated: “You have to
mention Fedor Emelianenko when you talk about the best fighters of all
time”, whilst another commentator placed Fedor’s name on an elite
pedestal with Tiger Woods, Muhammad Ali, Roger Federer and other world
sporting giants. In
his book, Fedor: The Fighting System of the World’s Undisputed King
of MMA, Emelianenko talks about how, as a child, he looked up to the
Russian weightlifter known as the “Strongest Man on the Planet”,
Yury Vlasov. Today, people from all over the world look up to the
most successful MMA fighter ever in much the same way. And both
legends are extremely humble about their status. Emelianenko
told Affliction, “I try to do whatever God’s will is… If He gives
me the strength to win, that’s wonderful. But I try to contain
my emotions in respect of that because at any time the tables can
turn.” Fortunately
for MMA fans, Fedor did not pursue weightlifting as a youngster, but
rather self-defense and judo under the tutorage of Vasiliy Ivanovich
Gavrilov, before being taken under the wing of Voronov V.M., who once
said of Emelianenko, “I’m sure that as long as Fedor keeps training
on the same level and with the same determination as he does now,
he’ll continue to have no equals in Pride or anywhere else.” Knucklepit
was fortunate to catch up with Fedor Emelianenko in Stary Oskol, Russia,
before his upcoming title bout with Josh Barnett. Fedor,
what were you doing prior to this interview? “I
just finished my morning walk.” You
studied Muay Thai in Holland for your fight with Mirko Cro Cop. A
lot of fighters now find the Muay Thai in Holland to be superior to that
in Thailand. Is that why you chose to go to Holland for your Muay
Thai training? Who did you train with there? “My
manager, Vadim Finkelstein, has very good connections in Holland and I
think for the heavyweights in kickboxing Holland is one of the best.
I trained with Johan Vos, Ernesto Hoost and Jerrel Venetiaan.” In
your photos you appear doing chin-ups and some kettlebells. Do you
do much training with weights, such as bench press, squats, and clean
and jerk? Or do you focus more on body-weight exercises, such as
push-ups, chin-ups…? “I
like body-weight exercises better.” You’re
known to compete at around 230lbs, which is what you weighed at
Affliction Banned
and Affliction Day of Reckoning. Were
you tempted to put on extra weight for Tim Sylvia? “No.” You
said in 2007 that Pride was the most prestigious MMA organization in the
world. Were you impressed with the first two Afflictions? “Yes,
definitely. I think they have great fighters on their shows.” Competing
in a ring rather than a cage seems to cause some interruptions in
fights. Do you prefer the ring to the cage? “To be honest I don’t really care. A fight is a fight.”
I
believe you train in boxing under Aleksandr Michkov to improve your
punching power. Can you tell readers a little bit about how he
helped you, please? “He
made me strike more accurately.” In
your book, Fedor:
The Fighting System of the World’s Undisputed King of MMA,
you say, “Notice that we’re both in southpaw stance.” Why
are you both in southpaw stance for that technique? “Actually
it was best for the picture (laughs) but it works both ways.” Whilst demonstrating the ‘double-leg scoop slam’ (page 126 of your book), you tend to use a right collar tie and a left triceps grip. As a right-handed fighter, why do you find it preferable to using a left collar tie? “As
a fighter you have to train both left and right. Both should be
good so you can use whatever you need in a fight.” When
you choked out Tim, you used a hand-clasp grip rather than the
hand-on-the-biceps RNC grip (demonstrated on page 211 of Fedor).
Do you normally do the choke that way, or was it because Tim has such a
long body? “I
don’t really care. I always look for the opportunity to finish
someone. I adjust myself to my opponent. In the book I used
the most common way.” You
finished the fight in 36 seconds. Did you plan to finish the fight
as quickly as possible to make an impressive debut in America? “Actually
this was my second fight in the US: I fought for Pride once in the US.
But I am always trying to finish the fight– in Japan or in the USA is
the same for me.” Do
you still stick to basic workout systems and avoid the fancy equipment,
choosing to “train three times a day, running five miles through the
woods, sprinting up the mountain…” rather than being caught up in
state-of-the-art equipment? “Yes,
I like it the way it is. I am confident with my training regime as
it is.” Were
you surprised by your popularity with the American crowd? “Yes,
I was. It was the first time I fought in America and I didn’t
know I was so popular.” What
is the music playing when you enter the arena? “A
Russian folk song: It helps me to concentrate and feel good.” Were
you happy with your bout against Andrei? “Yes
I was.” You
and Josh Barnett are good friends, but will you be fighting with the
same intensity when you compete against Josh? “Of
course, otherwise I wouldn’t take the fight.” What
can fans expect to see from Fedor at the next Affliction? “As
always I will do my best to win!” Would
you like to mention your sponsors? “Well
of course I want to thank M-1/Affliction and Best and I would like to
thank my fans for their support.” Fedor,
is there anything you’d like to add? “My fight will be on PPV in Australia as well, LIVE - 11:00am EST – Sunday, August 2 with replays at 6.30pm and 10.30pm. Channel is MAIN EVENT.”
For
more on Fedor Emelianenko: http://www.fedor.bel.ru/index_eng.shtml?id=138
For
Knucklepit’s review of Fedor Emelianenko’s book: http://www.knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-knucklepit%20book%20review.htm For
more on Affliction/M-1 Global’s Trilogy: http://www.knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-affliction_trilogy.htm To order Fedor’s book: www.budovideos.com
FEDOR
EMELIANENKO A Tribute to ‘The Last Emperor’
©Marc
Wickert Born
in Rubizhe, Luhansk, Ukraine, on September 28, 1976, Fedor Emelianenko
relocated with his family to the Russian industrial town of Stary Oskol
when he was two. Situated 500 miles south of Moscow in the
Belgorod area, Stary Oskol is best known for its steel mills and iron
ore plant, which suited Fedor’s father who was a hard-working welder. As
a child, Fedor grew up idolizing another Ukrainian, the legendary Soviet
weightlifter, Yury Vlasov, and was determined to one day inspire young
Russian children in the way Yury had inspired him. The adolescent
Fedor missed seeing Vlasov at his peak, when he took over from
America’s Paul Anderson as the ‘Strongest Man in the World’ before
slashing 32 world records in the super-heavyweight division. But the
legend of Yury was enough for Fedor to set the bar for his own
aspirations. Before entering his first MMA competition, Emelianenko had already drawn global attention by becoming an International Master of Sport in both Judo and Sambo. After entering the world of mixed martial arts, Fedor chalked up an incredible personal record of 30-1-0 (includes defeat of Martin Lazarev by choke), and he has not suffered a defeat since December, 2000. In
reality, Fedor’s record should read 30-0-0-1 as his only official loss
was sustained when he first fought Tsuyoshi Kohsaka at King of the Rings
on December 22, 2000, and this fight ended at 17 seconds into the first
round due to a cut resulting from an elbow strike delivered by Kohsaka.
Under RINGS rules, elbow strikes were deemed illegal. On April 3,
2005, Emelianenko avenged his loss to Kohsaka at Pride Bushido 6. Nicknamed
‘The Last Emperor’ by Japanese fans, it appears by Fedor’s
unassuming personality that there is a bigger picture for this
incredible athlete, known as ‘The Undisputed King of MMA’, than his
own self-importance. Not only does he religiously maintain his
commitment to inspire Russian youth, but Emelianenko has great national
pride and appears to relish flying the banner for Mother Russia. And Russia loves Fedor Emelianenko. On November 11, 2007, the Last Emperor was awarded the Order of Peter the Great of the first degree by representatives of the National State Decorations Committee after Fedor won his fourth World Championship in Combat Sambo whilst competing in Prague.
Another
national highlight of Emelianenko’s career was being congratulated by
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, also a Judo Master, who watches
Fedor’s fights at every opportunity. One can assume Prime
Minister Putin was watching Fedor Emelianenko’s last two fights when
he defeated two former UFC World Heavyweight Champions in their opening
rounds. Prior
to Emelianenko’s bout with Andrei Arlovski, Freddie Roach criticized
Fedor’s boxing skills. At the Affliction press conference, a
humble Fedor responded, “Well, he’s a boxing trainer and he’s
entitled to his opinion with respect to what he feels about boxing
skills. I know that I don’t have a perfect boxing style, and I
know certain flaws that I have and I’ll work on those, and so it is
what it is.” But
Fedor’s head trainer, Vladimir Mihailovich Voronov, was not so
diplomatic: “Okay,
well I like people that talk less and perform more. With us, our women
are the ones who talk a lot. And the men are the ones who get into a
ring and perform.” However,
Emelianenko’s skills are definitely ‘textbook style’ – taken
from his own textbook, Fedor: The Fighting System of the World’s
Undisputed King of MMA. And the techniques he used to defeat
Sylvia and Arlovski are straight out of this publication. [
http://www.knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-knucklepit%20book%20review.htm]. Then there are the other airy statements that are both ludicrous and unsubstantiated: such as proclaiming a particular fighter to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, which is on a par with asking Matt Damon if Jason Bourne would beat James Bond, or traveling to Hollywood to meet Bart Simpson in person.
At
the end of the day, Fedor Emelianenko’s record speaks for itself.
He has defeated the best of the best: Andrei Arlovski, Tim Sylvia,
Antonio Nogueira (twice), Mirko Cro-Cop… and it appears his next
opponent will be Josh Barnett (25-4), who dominated Gilbert Yvel at
Affliction: Day of Reckoning. Interestingly,
it was Frank Trigg in his capacity as co-commentator for the Affliction:
Banned event who best predicted the outcome of Affliction: Day
of Reckoning, when he spoke of Fedor: “His striking style is very
unorthodox, because he kind of looks like, ‘I’m tired of you hitting
me now. Now I’m going to swing back.’ And then you fall
down.” Probably
one of Fedor’s greatest attributes is his self-motivation. In
his book, Fedor says, “All of us (at the Red Devils Sports Club) share
a common goal – to push ourselves beyond our limits in order to reach
our potential in the art of fighting. This entails three grueling
practices a day, six days a week… It doesn’t matter if none of us is
fighting for six months.” It’s
this same discipline that enables Emelianenko to remain so cool before
and during his fights, as stated on his official website: “As one
gains experience, one learns to get one’s emotions in order for a
fight,” says Fedor. Preceding
his 36-second title match with Tim Sylvia, Fedor told Affliction:
“Before the fight, I try to concentrate on my inner self – think
about something I like. Whatever I do, I just try to think about
good things and that helps me. Every time I won, all of these
things and all of these events, I was getting ready for them. “And
at that moment I was thinking about my team, because it’s not about
just my work and my training and my techniques; it’s also about the
team that stands with me. It’s my country, and my friends, and
people who support me – my coach and everyone else who contributes to
that victory.” Hopefully,
we won’t have to wait long to witness the world’s most successful
MMA heavyweight champion compete again.
For
more on Fedor Emelianenko: http://www.fedor.bel.ru/about/index_eng.shtml (Be
sure to click on “eng” below Fedor’s image). For
more on Affliction: http://www.afflictionclothing.com/dayofreckoning.
FEDOR The
Fighting System of the World’s Undisputed King of MMA by
Fedor Emelianenko with
Glen Cordoza & Erich Krauss (Victory Belt) available through www.budovideos.com
© Marc Wickert The
beauty of our modern age for anyone interested in combat sport or self-defense
is that ultimate fighting has revealed which are the world’s best
fighting systems and which disciplines and techniques are impractical. This
high-tech age also enables MMA enthusiasts to be personally coached in
their own homes by the best competitors and instructors on the planet
– all for the price of a book or DVD. Fedor
is
a classic example: Here readers have access to Fedor Emelianenko, the
“Undisputed King of MMA”. And his book definitely delivers the
goods – without being pretentious or flowery. “Many of the
techniques might not seem as fancy as the ones demonstrated in other
books, but I guarantee that the ones on the following pages have all
been tried and tested in battle,” says Fedor. Emelianenko
covers striking techniques, counterattacks, clinching, throws and
takedowns, ground techniques (top and bottom), submissions and
escapes… On each occasion he also explains what separates his
techniques from those of other combatants, e.g., “With most of my
punches I turn my hand over more than most fighters.” Fedor
is an elaborately illustrated book with every move shown clearly through
multi-angled photos and graphic type so nothing is left to the
reader’s interpretation. What could be better than having Fedor
Emelianenko in your corner?
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