- When did you first meet Peter Yan?

- More than three years ago. I started working as a wrestling coach at the Tiger Muay Thai Fight Club in May 2017, then we met, and since then he has held several training sessions in our club.

- What was your first impression of the level of his physical fitness, shock technique and wrestling skills?

- Most of all in Peter I was struck by his athletic physique - this is not often seen. I come from the United States, and the white, well-built guys there are always very striking. In my life I met only a few of these people: my childhood friend, a college coach, where I studied, and Peter. Speaking directly about physique, he stands out very much.

As for boxing and wrestling, looking at how he fights, you see that he takes over very quickly. He knows how to tie everything together. If you show him the reception, then in a week or two he will already perfectly perform it. This is his hobby: he grasps everything on the fly. That is why he stands out for me. This applies to everything: both boxing and wrestling. The way he performs strength exercises, gaining shape - his capabilities are simply amazing. He is a very balanced fighter. In terms of athletic form - nature perfectly rewarded him.

- When you first saw him, could you imagine that Peter would be a contender for the UFC title?

- I met him right before signing the contract with the promotion - before his debut fight in Singapore. I knew that he had unlimited potential. He knew that Yang was able to achieve high results in this sport, and quickly. So yes, I could imagine him in a title fight. It was only a matter of time. When you follow his successes, you see that he is getting better and better.

- Peter does not know English very well. Does the language barrier interfere with your collaboration?

- Not. I think he grasps everything well while working together. And if not, then there will always be someone around who can translate. But often my Russian and his English are enough for us.

- That is, now Jan has advanced in understanding?

- Yes, now he speaks a lot better. And I say this for a reason, this is true. I know that he has an English teacher. A couple of weeks ago, my brother and I congratulated him on the birth of his son, and Peter talked with us in good English, had a full conversation. He has made great progress. His teacher does an excellent job.

- And can you recall some funny situations related to the language barrier?

- There were times when he switched to Russian to express some thought, and asked Sayat Abdrakhmanov (manager of Peter. - RT)  to translate ...

But for the most part, we constantly poke fun at each other. Sometimes I ask him to say something not very decent in Russian. He taught me a few words and all that. When communicating with Peter, I usually use some simple expressions: “how are you?”, “Hello!”, “Thanks”, “good.” But at the moment he speaks English at such a level that he understands absolutely everything that I say.

- When dealing with the media, Peter gives the impression of a serious and modest person. And what is he like in everyday life?

- Our classes with Peter usually begin with the words "Hello, coach." He lights up very quickly with something, say, if we are engaged in a fight, or he is sparring or shadow boxing. When I stand in front of him with my hands up, I always laugh with Peter. He likes to laugh heartily. Every time I see him, he is always very positive because he likes to train. He loves training and is therefore always very enthusiastic and happy to do it. He loves his job. Peter and I take this very seriously, but in a good way. I have never seen him embittered or in a bad mood. Sometimes sparring became too fierce, but it didn’t go beyond that. After all, with whomever I put him, for the most part, he always prevailed.

“Have you discussed its origin?”

“I don’t know too much about where he came from.” I only know that it is cold there. In my opinion, Russia as a whole is a rather cold and harsh place. I once spoke with a Russian girl and jokingly said that the Russians did not smile at all. And she replied that the Russians did not have many reasons for smiles. When she said this, I realized that her words made sense. For the most part, Russians seem to me to be quiet, unresponsive and unsmiling. But Peter is a little different. He is more open because he traveled a lot and talked a lot with different people.

- Peter often takes his son to train, how unusual is it for you to see this side of his life?

- It's nice. He is a good family man and often talks about his family. Recently, he had a second child, but in general, he admitted that he wants four children. He dreams of a big family. I know that he has several brothers and sisters. I remember when his son was still a little kid and really could not walk, and now he is running around the gym with might and main, pounding me in the stomach and all that. Sometimes Peter lets him enter the ring and raises his palms so that the kid can practice blows. He shouts out to him various combinations and punches. He’s a great boy.

He often takes his son to training, and probably for a guy it should be very nice to watch his father improve. Watch his fight for the championship title. We are already accustomed to the fact that his son is often present at training. And he is not the only one who takes a child with him. Rafael Fiziev also brings his son, like Sayat Abdrakhmanov. My brother has a daughter. But it’s quite funny to watch all these Russian-speaking children running around the hall.

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Publication by Frank Hickman (@ gifi157) Sep 14, 2018 at 5:06 am PDT

- Once Peter said that every fight in the UFC, with the exception of the fight with Juraia Faber, was either injured or experiencing health problems. Have you ever seen such a fierce fighter?

“I knew a few of these diehard guys.” But, it seems to me, you never really know about such things. People may not tell you that they are injured and are hiding something because they don’t want you to say something or start pestering you with questions. But John Boy told me that Peter is now in better shape than ever, because he is completely healthy. Before the fight with Jimmy Rivera, he had a staph infection or he was bitten by poisonous jellyfish, and so on. So there were some complications. But I don’t know if there are fighters who really fit the fight 100% healthy.

Throughout his career at the UFC, Peter was, for the most part, not in perfect shape. Elbow problems, again. But when he is healthy and is at the peak of his form, when you see Peter Jan in his best condition - this is absolutely unbelievable. This is something special. Real show. After all, it was not in vain that I called it the “Peter Ian Show”. You really won't spare your money. You can stock up on popcorn and just look at the skilled fighter who loves his job.

- People often say that success and talent require hard work. In your opinion, how many are there in Peter, and how many are the other.

- For starters, you simply cannot reach such a level without due diligence. But Peter, of course, here sets a completely different bar. Sometimes you have to tell him to relax, or that there is nothing wrong with taking a day off. At times he listens, at times - no. He works incredibly hard. But he does not hold talent. However, talent alone is not enough - you need to reinforce it with appropriate hard work. And Jan does an excellent job of this.

- Give an example ...

- Let's say in the morning it can be strength exercises or work on the legs, and in the afternoon sparring, then deflections. After that, he usually again works on his paws, although this is no longer necessary, or goes for a run, or begins to engage in intense battle with the shadow, or does exercises with a rope at home. In his villa with a pool, in the midst of the heat! Or jogs to the Big Buddha on Sunday when he shouldn't. So Peter is constantly working. I think he just inspires himself that he should do more. And does. He works tirelessly. And it always has been.

- Do you think people can underestimate him because he is quiet, calm and does not enter into verbal skirmishes? Perhaps the reason for this is his current level of knowledge of the language.

“I don’t know if it can be said here that people underestimate him, since few people challenge him.” Nobody really says: “Hmm. I would have fought with him. " This happened several times, but not that people lined up to beat him. For the most part, Peter himself decides that they say I want to fight this, or this, or this. I do not think that the reason for this is its laconicism. Personally, I would not want a fight with Peter Ian. To be honest. The first place on my list of welcome rivals is not he. He already has a series of six victories in a row - knock on wood - and he is getting better and better.

- What will become his trump card in a duel with Jose Aldu?

- His stamina and boxing level. Rather, like this: endurance, pace, boxing. Yes, and just the ability of Peter to make the enemy run out of steam. He is more likely a counterattack fighter, but he moves forward all the time, puts pressure on the opponent, forces him to adapt to his pace and knocks him out of his comfort zone. And this forces the opponent to carry out attacks that are not worth it. While you are thinking about the next trick, he dumbfounds you with his blow. And over time, if you are not in good shape or you have some kind of unpleasant dissection, wait for trouble. It can be long 15 minutes, or even all 25.

- That is, Yang is constantly forcing and suppressing?

- I have long been saying that no one would want to be in a five-round match with Alexander Volkanovsky, because he sets an incredible pace. And of all those with whom I had the pleasure of working, the only one who is able to keep the same pace is Peter. He can keep a completely insane pace in a five-round fight. Three rounds is no longer a gift, but if it comes to five - when he has an extra ten minutes - it’s as if Jan’s spare tank starts working and he just doesn’t stop. And to oppose something to this, we need a very prudent and critical approach. You can hold on for five minutes, you can 10, but when it's 15 - 25 - it's already incredibly difficult. I think on Sunday you will see everything for yourself.

- And the last question. Regarding his nickname "Merciless" ...

“And maybe the Peter Ian Show?”

“Has he got something else?”

- Yes. I began to call him that a little over a year ago. And it somehow got attached. I like Ruthless. There is also the “Siberian Gangster” - that's what the guys in the audience call him. "Merciless" too. Well, I periodically call it the “Peter Jan Show”, because, as I said, this is one of the most interesting fighters in the UFC. His fights really look like a performance. You will definitely not regret the money spent. If I see his name in the list of fights, real joy engulfs me. This guy ... You see a man who really enjoys his job. When he is in the ring, it is incomparable.