On July 24, Sochi will host the ACA 107 tournament, in the main battle of which Alexander Emelyanenko and Magomed Ismailov will meet. A week and a half before the fight, the fighters took part in an impromptu press conference. Despite its online format, the athletes managed to exchange taunts, as well as share expectations from one of the most anticipated events in Russian MMA.
The virtual thrash talk began with the fact that Emelianenko, who is currently in Grozny, demonstrated how he works with a sledgehammer, hinting that he plans to deal with his opponent in a similar manner.
“Now my sparring week is starting, guys are pulling up,” the fighter said.
It is worth noting that Ismailov represents the middle weight category, while his opponent - the heavy one. However, Magomed admitted that he was not confused by the difference in dimensions.
“I’ve been working with such people all my life. The difference in weight does not affect the outcome of the meeting, I think it will be even easier for me to knock him out. Look at my fists, can you imagine what he will feel in a cage? ”He said.
“As for growth, in the stance I sparred with those who were taller than him. I understand that Sasha has quick hands. By the way, today I ate pancakes and thought about you, ”Ismailov joked.
For a long time, rivals exchanged rather caustic remarks about each other on social networks, further fueling interest in the battle. Now both fighters admitted that they are not under pressure due to the fact that soon they will have to "keep promises" in the octagon.
“I have no pressure on this. Finally, I get to work and tear his bald head, teach him to fall. You are 20 cm below me, this is a maximum fight on the lower floor. I’m a fighter, I’ve been fighting all my life. He started boxing not so long ago. How am I going to keep Ismailov at a distance? I’ll put my hand on my head, and there’s nothing to invent, ”said Emelianenko.
In addition, the fighter noted that speed will help him in the duel. In terms of this indicator, he compared himself to the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, who "pressed the switch and ended up in bed before the lights went out."
Magomed shared his plan for the battle. He emphasized that he did not intend to rush, so he expected to win in three rounds.
“I will beat Alexander in a rack. I am a tactician, and in our case, the battle will not pass quickly. But he will immediately understand everything, already in the first round, ”the athlete assured.
In response, Emelianenko suggested that the opponent does not know how to fight and urged him to train his head to get used to hitting her.
Recall that the initiator of this fight was Ismailov, and his future opponent quickly agreed to a duel. Commenting on his decision, he noted that he wants to raise the level of mixed martial arts in Russia.
“Now the times have come that foreigners do not have the opportunity to come to us. Therefore, we need to develop our MMA. There are no super fighters in the UFC, it's just a public relations tournament. We need to do the same, create our own. Not to go to America to promote sports there, to popularize their product, but to do everything at home. I reconsidered my views and am now ready to fight with Russian fighters, ”Emelianenko emphasized.
Ismailov is confident in the significance of the upcoming meeting.
“We are making a story. What did Fedor Emelianenko do? He won in the territory of the enemy. So do I. I want you to say after the fight that this was the best confrontation in the history of MMA, ”he said.
“How many people will watch the battle? We all understand that in Russia we are not used to paying, as in America. Therefore, people need to be given quality, since there may not be a second chance. To do this, you need to progress, ”added the fighter.
Ismailov several times tried to force the opponent to admit that he was worried before the fight, but he refused: "My nerves are like ropes." In addition to the psychological attitude, Emelianenko is completely confident in his physical form.
“Yes, I had a recession, I did not fight for two years. But this did not affect me in any way. Now I am in the best shape of my life. I train all day and never get tired. After all, I have a long career behind me, I understand that I am going out into the octagon for the sake of victory. This is my life, I can’t do anything else, ”the fighter said.
At the end of the press conference, the opponents turned to each other for the last time before an in-person meeting in the octagon. Emelianenko again called on Ismailov not to fall immediately after the start of the battle, to which he expressed his readiness to fight.