Fedor: Expressing aggression is weakness
Fedor Emelianenko; “A strong person will not be nervous and will not express aggression towards his opponent… he will face the fight calm and balanced.”
Legendary fighter Fedor Emelianenko appeared Friday on Michael Schiavello‘s awesome The Voice Versus on AXS TV, for the wide ranging interview.
“No one expected me to become a champion,” said Emelianenko, as transcribed by David St. Martin for MMAFighting.. “As far as what [PRIDE] wanted or didn’t want, I was not paying any attention to this. This is life. Even when I didn’t want something, I had to take it into account.
“I’ll say that later on that PRIDE wanted [Big Nog] to win the title and also Mirko to become champion. I could feel it and see it, but you can’t pay attention to this because it can shatter your psyche. You shouldn’t pay attention to this. You should come out, do your thing and win.”
One of Emelianenko’s trademarks was a face so impassive it was chilling. This for example is Fedor giggling.
“I always remember that I represent myself, but also my country,” explained the fighter. “People are making judgments about Russian people based on me. This is why I never allow myself any aggression towards my opponent.
“A fighter, a real strong fighter should always look dignified and calm and I believe that any expression of aggression is an expression of weakness. A strong person will not be nervous and will not express aggression towards his opponent. He will be confident in his abilities and his training, then he will face the fight calm and balanced.”
The one that got away in MMA will always be Fedor vs. Brock Lesnar. Fedor’s management demands co-promotion for Fedor to fight, and the UFC does not co-promote, so the fight was never made. Fedor said he had no regrets, and doesn’t know how the fight would have gone.
“I don’t think about it,” Emelinenko chuckled. “I don’t think about fights that didn’t happen.
“I’ve already fought my share. God gave me a rich, eventful career and I thank God for everything, but I’m done fighting.”
“I’m very grateful to God for what he gives me. Victories, remarkable victories, but you have to go through the defeats. That is why I praise God for everything.”
Will Fedor ever fight again?
“Only God’s will,” would get him back in the cage, he said.
