“If you are Russian, then don’t run away”: Tony Johnson about the fight with Goncharov, Emelianenko’s weaknesses and attacks on Nurmagomedov

- What is the situation in Nashville in the context of the coronavirus pandemic?

- The situation here is difficult, although not as deplorable as in a number of other states like California and New York. I hold on, do not get sick, drink vitamins, strengthen immunity. There is a quarantine, people observe safety measures, keep a safe distance.

- Have any of your friends or relatives been infected?

- My wife was infected with a coronavirus, but nothing happened. She was sick for about two weeks, now she is healthy. I took care of her, and, fortunately, I did not catch the infection myself. I know that the virus was found in two of my friends.

- How were the wife's symptoms?

- It was difficult for her to breathe, she had to make efforts. She often coughed, and mucus accumulated in her lungs. When she got up and tried to walk, she quickly got tired - she felt weak. She had a hard time, but, fortunately, she got out.

- Due to quarantine, athletes are now unable to attend training halls. Are you getting ready now or are you using this time to relax?

- I continue training. I go to the Capitol area, here in Nashville. They cannot close this territory of power, since it refers to public property. So I’m running around, working with a partner. It's just that if I sit idle for a while, I’ll gain a lot of excess weight (laughs) .

- Surely, in such conditions it is very difficult to tune into productive work. How do you do it?

“I have a battle ahead, and that motivates me.” The date is set, the ACA 107 show is scheduled for July 24th.

- Initially, the tournament was supposed to be held in early March. Were you upset very much?

- It's a pity, of course. The training was organized so well, and now you have to start all over again. But nothing: thanks to this, I had the chance to become better.

- Unlike other promotions, the UFC intends to hold a series of tournaments in May. Do you think Dana White is doing the right thing in a pandemic?

- Crazy situation, of course. In general, it would be right to cancel all tournaments so that the fighters do not become infected. But in America there is a strong thirst for money. Numerous UFC investors are willing to receive the amounts due to them.

- In light of the threat of coronavirus, there can be no guarantee that ACA 107 will not be postponed.

- So far, everything remains valid. I did not hear any announcements about the transfer. Borders in the US and Russia should open soon. If this happens, everything will be fine.

- When was the last time you contacted the ACA?

- I do not communicate directly with the promotion, but through my manager. I talked to him last week, and he said that so far everything is fine, the tournament has not been postponed. So everything goes according to plan.

- What are you going to do if Russia does not open borders by July?

“Apparently, I'll have to wait until this happens.” Under the contract, I have yet to hold two fights. As a conscientious fighter must work it out to the end. Let's hope that you won’t have to wait long.

- Khabib Nurmagomedov refused to fight with Tony Ferguson, as he allegedly could not fly from Russia to the United States. Do you think he really failed to leave the country or were there other reasons for canceling the battle?

“Habib is cool, ready to fight when, where and with anyone.” So there were circumstances. He is the same person - if it is forbidden to leave Russia, he can do nothing. UFC 249 was supposed to take place on April 18, but from above they said no, and everything was canceled. In the end, Ferguson was also unable to conduct the battle. So I don’t think that Nurmagomedov was scared. Just in a situation with coronavirus everyone needs to be careful.

- Many hastened to call Nurmagomedov a coward ...

“You shouldn't have done that.” Fans may have their own opinion, but we athletes know what really happened, but they don’t. We can’t say that a person was scared simply because he was unable to leave the country.

- If you were in the place of Nurmagomedov, would you agree to speak at the tournament in the midst of a pandemic?

- Yes, of course. This is an opportunity to earn.

- If your fight with Ruslan Magomedov is finally canceled due to a pandemic, will the ACA pay you a fee?

- We did not have a conversation on this subject. I know that the UFC paid some fighters ... Of course, it would be nice if the league did so, but I do not expect anything. Unfortunately, I have a non-standard job - they pay me when I fight, and now not the most favorable circumstances. I'm not sure that ASA will just take it and give me money.

- Do such things spell out in the contract?

- No, because a pandemic happened for the first time. There is a clause in the agreement on the opponent’s refusal, according to which the fighters are still paid a participation fee. But not a word has been said about the coronavirus. Now it is a “gray zone” that requires discussion.

- How serious has the coronavirus hit your financial condition?

- I earn a living by fights, I get good money. But this is impossible to do while staying at home.

- How do you get out of this situation?

- You have to manage your money wisely, save it for a rainy day. Fortunately, my wife also works and her income is good. So we are fine.

- How much on average do you spend on a training camp?

- About $ 15 thousand.

- Because of the pandemic, training halls were hit hard. You are training at Nashville Training Camp. No worries that it might close?

- Fortunately, I know its owner, we are friends. Soon he will let me do it before others can start training. Even if the hall does not open, I can still continue to prepare.

- Your future rival is known for his performances in the UFC. What can you say about Magomedov?

“I think now is the best time for such a fight.” In his last battle, he was a little "rusty." Magomedov is a strong, tall fighter with an excellent blow, it will not be easy to deal with him. He has a good track record, but I trained with the best. Whatever Ruslan showed on July 24th, I will be ready for this.

- Does it bother you that he was previously suspended from playing in the United States due to a failed doping test?

“No, I don't care.” I know that such tests are not carried out in Russia, but this does not bother me. Ultimately, I still need to strike and dodge the oncoming.

- As you know, in Russia in mixed martial arts the doping control system has not yet been officially introduced. Do athletes check for illegal drugs before fights?

- No, they are not being tested. But just in Europe such a situation. I'm not going to change any rules here. This does not bother me, because it is not my body that is being destroyed, but those who take doping. In the short term, it can help, but in the long term it can cause serious damage to health. 

- Many fighters are trying to predict the outcome of your future battle with Magomedov. Make a prediction?

- I will knock him out in the second round.

- Before that, you lost to Yevgeny Goncharov. Have you watched his battle with Mukhumat Vakhaev?

- Yes. As he said, if he fights, he will lose. I thought that Goncharov was afraid of Vakhaev when he watched their joint interview. They almost clung, and Eugene again handed back.

- The ending of the third round turned out to be quite resonant, and many felt that Vakhaev intentionally struck Goncharov in the back of the head. Do you agree?

- Yes. I think he has a certain hostility towards Goncharov. I don’t know if he did it on purpose. Perhaps he just didn't care where to beat.

- In your opinion, did Vakhaev win honestly?

- Of course. He knocked him out. And I definitely liked the fight.

- Previously, you fought with Vakhayev’s partner on the Akhmat team, Alexander Emelyanenko. It is noteworthy that after he had never once entered the cell. What are your impressions of that duel?

- I am well acquainted with Emelianenko. He is a strong fighter, but understands that I won that fight. I think everyone shares the same opinion. If he wants revenge, we will spend it. Only this time in five rounds.

- You were surprised that Emelianenko so easily allowed you to go to your feet?

- No, I have been fighting all my life. With all his desire, he could not block my takedowns. 

- At the ACA 107 tournament , Emelianenko will fight with Magomed Ismailov. Do you know the latter?

- Personally - no, but I saw him on social networks. I think he is able to prevail over Alexander. A short guy, but explosive.

- But still, the difference in growth will be more than 20 centimeters ...

“That doesn't mean anything.” Those who are smaller are more technical, so it’s more difficult to fight with them. He is not such a simple opponent as Emelianenko might seem. Sasha can underestimate Magomed, but the fight will obviously not be easy. I would like to see her.

- Ismailov admitted that he wanted to get at least 15 million rubles for the duel. Reasonable requirement?

- Yes, you can earn excellent money in a fight with Emelianenko. But these are eminent fighters. If you look at Instagram, both Ismailov and Emelianenko have a ton of followers. It all depends on how valuable you are, what you can offer - the entertainment component, ticket sales. I think his demands are justified.

- In case of victory over Magomedov, what would you choose - a rematch with Emelianenko or a duel for the title with Vakhaev?

- Difficult question. I would stop at Emelianenko, because after the first battle I had an unpleasant aftertaste. Then he was not in good shape, he could have done some things differently. If we met again, would destroy him. And after that I would fight for the title.

- How would your response fight with Emelianenko develop?

“I would have knocked him out.” I would have managed in three rounds. He defeated him - both physically and psychologically.

- On April 14, you posted on Instagram a photo from a duel with Alexander Volkov and the caption: “At least he didn’t run away.” Who were you contacting?

- I hinted at Goncharov  (laughs) . In our view, Russians are very strong-willed guys. Be it wrestling, gymnastics, mixed martial arts. Goncharov avoided the battle with me, and this is bad. If you are Russian, then you do not run away and do not retreat, but fight.

- Do you think that you defeated Goncharov?

- I think yes. I stood and fought. And in the first round, Jeb almost sent him to the canvas. I fought, owned the initiative, and he ran away. I do not think that in such a situation he deserved to win.

- Are you interested in a rematch with Goncharov?

“Only if she doesn't run away.”

- Returning to Instagram, later you also published a fragment of the video of the match with Volkov. Can you say that he occupies a special place in your career?

- At one time he won victories over strong rivals. Volkov is one of them. The funny thing is that I published that post only when I saw it in the tape. Just made a repost.

- In addition to the battle with Volkov, what are two other duels that have special significance for you?

- The fight with Emelianenko was important to me. It was not easy for me then, because he sent me to the knockdown. That battle showed me that I have the tenacity, I can hold the blow. Also of great importance is the fight with Derrick Lewis. His blow is very heavy, but I could manage and get the upper hand. In the future, I would like to fight each of them again.

- Volkov lost to you. Surprised that a few years later he entered the elite of the UFC heavy division ?

- No. He is a strong fighter. It just says that my level is much higher than many people think. I want to show how advanced I am.

- Do you think that now you could be among the strongest fighters of the UFC?

- Of course. I would be in the top five.

- Why so far you have not had a single fight in the UFC?

- There were no suitable offers. UFC representatives contacted me a couple of times, but their options did not suit me for the money. Russia took care of my interests, I went on a trip, and I liked it.

“Don't you think you lost time ?”

- I'm still young, I'm 34 years old. In my opinion, the UFC needs to move on to the final stage of a career. Before that, I also want to travel the world, measure strength with other guys, work with various promotions.

- Many Russian fighters believe that in the UFC they have been gaining for a long time not on a sporting principle, but on the basis of popularity. Do you agree?

- Yes, such a tendency exists. And it is annoying. The battles themselves fade into the background in favor of the entertainment component.

- If you take into account only skill, who would you call the best fighter of heavy weight at the moment?

- Miochicha. Good in both wrestling and boxing. Strong athlete. I always liked him, considered him strong even before he became a champion. Stipe is just a beast.

- And the best MMA fighter, regardless of weight categories?

“Even with all his problems, Jones remains.” No one has yet defeated him. I know that Nurmagomedov didn’t have a single defeat, but the American was the first to succeed and made a name for himself. So in my ranking in the first place is John, followed by Habib.