Fight with Jackson, MacGregor's thrash talk and retirement: what Fedor Emelianenko talked about at a meeting with students

“I am a dinosaur in the world of sports. I understand that the last fights await me ”

The career of the greatest Russian fighter Fedor Emelianenko is gradually coming to an end. The Bellator recently announced that the 43-year-old athlete has only a few fights left. One of the latest battles will take place on December 29th, especially close to the heart of ex-champion PRIDE and RINGS of Japan. He will face off with another illustrious veteran Quinton Jackson.

On the eve of the fight, Emelianenko talked with students of the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Fedor began, of course, with a story about preparations for the next fight, which, according to the athlete, will start on November 24, more than a month before entering the “cage”.

“My Dutch coach Peter Taysse and another specialist will come - Serb. On Sunday, we will begin basic training, including sparring. And in two or three weeks the main load will be faced, ”TASS quoted Emelianenko as saying.

At the same time, Fedor was regularly asked questions about his retirement. And the Russian did not hide the fact that he was ready to finally hang the gloves on the nail.

“I'm a kind of dinosaur in the world of sports. I remember fighting in the Russian judo championship at the age of 20, and Sergei Kosorodov, the champion of the USSR and Russia, was 34 years old. We looked at him as something old, ancient, as a legend of sports. And now I'm much older than Sergey then. But let's say, I feel good, health allows you to speak. And I want this. But I understand that the last fights are waiting for me. There will be many fingers of one hand to calculate how much is left for me, ”Sport-Express quotes Emelianenko.

Moreover, the fighter told how he sought permission from his wife to conclude a contract with Bellator.

“My wife will not wait until I finish my career. Both my and her mom call me. They are very worried, but support my decision. That's important for me. I’ll tell you one story. When I was in the process of signing the last contract, my wife almost agreed to this, but then she said that she would give the go-ahead if the priest blessed. As a result, I went to the priest and achieved this blessing, ”added Emelianenko.

At the same time, the fighter admitted that he does not yet know who he will meet after the fight with Jackson, and stressed that the promotion, most likely, has not yet decided on the future opponents of the Russian. At the same time, he expressed his readiness to try to take revenge by Fabrizio Werdum, who interrupted his ten-year winning streak in June 2010.

“I will have a chance to win, there is always a chance. I knew the reception that Fabrice held then on me, was preparing for it, but in a sense he was in a hurry and got caught. And he took advantage of this. But if we meet again, I will have the opportunity to get the upper hand, ”the fighter emphasized.

"Recently, MacGregor said ugly things about the Dagestanis"

Emelyanenko also talked about other topics, in particular, he condemned the unloved trash current. According to the athlete, before in the world of mixed martial arts, fighters practically did not insult each other, but tried to win the attention of fans with a high level of skill.

"One of the saints said this:" Letting go of a joke in someone's direction is like throwing a torch into a house. " But what, for fun? A joke can offend someone. Today there is nothing sacred. They can let go of taunts, both towards the family and towards the country. Conor McGregor recently said ugly things about Dagestanis. And our fighters began to condemn him, although they themselves are doing the same. Yes, not to the people, but to certain people. But how can a person be separated from the people? ”, Quotes Sport24 Emelianenko.

In general, the MMA legend was asked a variety of questions at the meeting. So, Emelianenko was not only forced to talk about ending his career, but also remembered how he had come to the sport.

“Mom taught at a technical lyceum, the coach was a master there. I often lost house keys. And the coach told mom: "Come on, bring the fighter to me." So at the age of 11, I started practicing sambo and judo. My first section was located in a bomb shelter with a very thick iron door. I went down there, I hear the guys are engaged, and a voice from there: "Fedor, come in." And I came in. And still has not left professional sports, ”said Emelianenko.

Finally, Fedor admitted that he is still experiencing jitters in anticipation of fights.

“My knees don’t shake before fights, thank God, but I’m experiencing a competitive jerk on the day of the fight. This is normal. Until then I can drive away extraneous thoughts, but on the day of the battle the excitement is present. I try to be distracted, and the team supports. But as soon as the warm-up begins, the excitement goes away. Instantly. And when I enter the ring, nothing shakes, ”said the athlete.