This interview was posted on Fedor's site in Russian. I don't think it has been translated yet. So here's my translation:
Q: Currently, there is alot of noise surrounding a fight with Randy Couture, what do you think about it?
A: I don't pay attention to advertising. A fight outcome does not depend on it. It's all just talk for now. In reality there is no progress, since Randy had some problems with his organization, and now he is back with the UFC.
Q: Do you think a fight with Randy Couture would be another short bout?
A: I don't try to guess how a bout will end - it's up to God.
Q: Which of the fights have become familiar in your career?
A: Definitely the fight with Noguiera, when I took the champion title away from him, and also fights with Crocop and Sylvia.
Q: Your last fight with Tim Sylvia lasted just slightly over half a minute; Were you surprised by such a quick ending?
A: I don't think ahead about how the fight will unravel. Obviously I want to finish it fast, but am prepared for a long, grueling fight. I am ready to work from beginning to end.
Q: When you started in MMA did you think that you will have a big influence on the sport?
A: No, I just wanted to compete successfully, and did not think that I could influence the sport.
Q: Was there a moment in your career, when you wanted to stop competing?
A: Yes, there was a period when I wanted to rest, to think, but that was a long time ago.
Q: Fedor, what do you think a person needs to become a good fighter?
A: An ability to think, see your mistakes, eliminate them, and evolve.
Q: How important is it for a fighter to be humble and to keep the respect to himself and to the sport under any circumstances?
A: It is one of the main rules, in my view. Physical abilities and spiritual being of a fighter are directly connected; it's one whole.
Q: Do you need something to distract yourself from work?
A: I don't distract myself from my favorite thing. I don't need to do anything for distraction. I spend my free time with family and friends, go to church, read church literature.
Q: As mentioned before, there will be a World Championship in Combat Sambo in November. Vladimir Putin, an ex-president, will be one of the guests. You met with him on one of the MMA tournaments in St. Petersburg? What did you talk about?
A: I met twice with ex-President, Putin. Overall, he is a very nice person. We talked about the sport, training, discussed how he and I train, also talked about future plans. Vladimir Vladimirovich is very respectful of the sport, and follows the fights.
Q: People often call you the greatest in the world of heavyweights. Do you agree with this statement?
A: I avoid these thoughts, and they don't hold any weight for me. If a person sees himself as superior and popular, the person gets tired of it. I try to live the same way as other ordinary people live. I know that MMA fans have a heightened interest to fighters. I treat it with understanding and try not to offend them.
Q: Should a fighter consider himself great, to be confident in himself during the fights and in practice?
A: As soon as the fighter starts feeling he's great, he will lose. And he can even lose to a fighter of a lesser caliber.
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(End of Interview)
On another note, Fedor is currently shooting a movie in Thailand. It's a Russian action movie. Gerard Mousasi apparently also has a role. Him and Fedor plan to train Thailand in between the shots. Also, next thing for Fedor is a Combat Sambo tournament in November in Russia.
more pictures from the set at:
Федор Емельяненко. Официальный сайт
