- Many people think that the confrontation between Alexander Emelianenko and Vyacheslav Datsik has nothing to do with sports.

Does it pique your interest?

- I would not say that it has nothing to do with sports.

Rather, it will be possible to say so if Emelianenko does not properly prepare for the fight.

Then we will see a flash.

In this case, Datsik will obviously knock out the opponent.

But if Sasha regains his normal form, an intriguing fight awaits us.

Judging by the social networks, he really trains and works.

The main thing is that this is true.  

- Did you have any desire to hold this fight at

AMC Fight Nights

?

I don't think it's really our genre.

Still, we are not talking about a fight according to the rules of MMA.

It could be done in any form, but not within the framework of mixed martial arts.

Is this a money event?

Undoubtedly!

There are cool boxing matches that I would like to organize, but this is not the format of AMC Fight Nights.

Therefore, I did not seriously think about making an offer to Emelianenko and Datsik.

But I would love to fight Alexander, who is in good shape, with some mixed martial arts fighter.

The same applies to Vyacheslav, who has recently begun to represent something of himself in terms of sports.

- There is a feeling that their confrontation attracts no less attention than, for example, the meeting between Magomed Ismailov and Alexander Shlemenko.

How normal is this?

- These are slightly different genres, although there are many similarities.

For a wide audience, both fights are quite interesting.

All these athletes regularly get on the front pages of the domestic media.

In the duel between Ismailov and Shlemenko, of course, there is more sports, but Emelianenko and Datsik are “bigger”.

But I wouldn't compare them.

Who likes more...

- Does this indicate that fans are more important than hype?

“It has always been that way.

It's just that no one understood it before.

Some still do not realize that the average viewer needs entertainment more than sports proper.

And if we see a show with elements of sports, it is doubly interesting.

And I have no prejudice against such fights.

I understand if Emelianenko could barely walk, as at the end of May.

Or you can remember how last year he was taken out of the hardest binge.

Sasha drank until Azamat Bostanov (former athlete manager -

RT

) took over him.

At that time, I would agree that there was no intrigue in his confrontation with Datsik.

Now the situation is different.

- After the fight between Vyacheslav and Saulo Cavalari in April of this year, you suggested that the Russian received 2 million rubles for him.

How much do you think he and Emelianenko were offered for the September meeting?

- I don’t like to count other people’s money, but looking at everything that is happening, I think the guys will earn 10 million rubles each.

This is a good fee by the standards of domestic martial arts.

I heard about space 15-20-30 million. I personally paid 15 million each, but to Vladimir Mineev and Magomed Ismailov.

In my opinion, nothing comparable to their fight in Russia has been held in MMA for a long time.

As for Datsik and Emelianenko, the industry works as follows.

The promoter comes up with a fight, and then finds partners who are ready to finance it.

If they see commercial value in it, why not pay?

Since the organizers have found a major sponsor, more than 10 million can be given. You have to understand that Vyacheslav and Alexander are older athletes, they need money.

- You have repeatedly said that you would not organize a fight for Emelianenko, since he could disrupt it at any moment.

Is this even possible now?

“Unfortunately, you never know.

At the moment, judging by Sasha's active training and moving around the country, there is a feeling that he still wants to enter the ring and is trying to control himself.

Plus, we regularly see his wife nearby, which is also a very good sign.

If Alexander needs it, he is definitely able not only to take part in the confrontation, but also to prove himself well.

Is he in acceptable shape?

In any case, he already gives the impression of a person who is ready to fight.

Is he far from optimal conditions?

Undoubtedly.

To gain them, it takes another three to four months of hard work.

But Emelianenko is able to really challenge his opponent, and this will not be a completely failed story.

I'm starting to believe in him.

- In your opinion, taking part in the battle, he still risks his life?

Three months have passed since he appeared at one of the interviews in a terrible state, and this is a long time.

If Sasha adhered to the regime, then everything should be fine.

You can even be reborn in 90 days.

- So he can already be considered a favorite?

- Not.

Both are able to hit hard.

Sasha, in principle, has not lost his fighting skills, although he has obvious problems with coordination.

However, if we talk about the total number of fights and a certain level of fitness, the advantage is on the side of Datsik.

Moreover, he spent all his last confrontations in a spectacular manner, although he lost by knockout to Islam Karimov.

He is ready for fights both physically and emotionally better than the opponent.

Emelianenko has a more diverse technical potential, but he is not able to use it in full.

But, I repeat, if a few months ago I did not bet on Alexander at all, now I am convinced that the fight will turn out to be intriguing.

- Vyacheslav's chance lies solely in the activity in the first minutes?

“Of course, he has knockout power on his side.

Emelianenko also knows how to hit.

Plus, the duel with Karimov showed that it is quite possible to knock down Red Tarzan.

It is a fact.

- You are talking about the fact that Datsik often goes into the "cage", but with the same Islam, he did not have enough strength even for one round.

- As soon as he faces serious resistance and understands that the opponent is not afraid, it becomes difficult for him.

Vyacheslav is still an age-old athlete, he is already 42 years old.

I think it is not well prepared functionally.

I see.

- But he regularly trains and fights, unlike Emelianenko.

- First, do not forget about age.

Secondly, he has gained some form, but for more, a fundamentally different work is needed.

To do this, it is not enough just to box in the gym.

It is required to regularly run crosses, engage in full-fledged functional training, go to training camps in the mountains.

These are slightly different activities and the level of stress for the body.

And Slava, plus or minus, is in the comfort zone, holding short fights in which he demonstrates his striking power, as was the case with Cavalari.

He wins, sometimes he loses, but he does not want to jump above his head.

- If Emelianenko "survives" in the first minute and does not miss the branded "collective farm" from the counterpart, will the advantage go to his side?

- I am sure that Vyacheslav is counting on the fact that everything will end ahead of schedule.

And the likelihood that his blows will reach the opponent is quite high.

The question is whether Sasha is ready to respond and counterattack.

If so, Slava will also have a hard time.

Just the confrontation with Karimov clearly demonstrated this.

- What impressions did the duel between Red Tarzan and Jeff Monson leave you in early August?

From the side it seemed that it had the character of an exhibition.

- Indeed, it turned out such a friendly fight.

It is impossible to judge anything exactly by her, but by the confrontations with Karimov and Cavalari - completely.

The fight with the latter showed that Datsik is dangerous when he hits and hits.

It is no coincidence that the former Glory champion was knocked out a minute and a half after the starting ring.

With the American, he just worked comfortably, without straining.

- If you take the emotional side of the September fight, don't you think that the rivals' aggression towards each other has decreased?

Before, there was a feeling that they hated each other.

- I never noticed it in their personal relationships.

You can say the same about other couples, but not about Alexander and Vyacheslav.

There is absolutely no war between them.

Yes, there was a conflict many years ago, the parties said a lot of superfluous things, but did not turn into antagonists.

- Emelianenko challenged Shlemenko according to the rules of boxing.

In a duel with an athlete of this level, does he have a chance in his current state?

- I do not believe in this.

Rather, we are talking about some kind of attempt to create a hype around the upcoming confrontation and draw attention to one's own person.

In principle, this is a good story to discuss.

- How is the topic with the possible signing of Datsik to the league of Khabib Nurmagomedov

Eagle FC

?

- I do not know.

Frankly, this is also seen as an extremely unlikely event.

Most likely, Slava will continue to perform in pop-MMA and according to the rules of boxing.

As I said, this format is quite comfortable for him.

The man just wants to make money.