Brevity is the sister of Fedor Emelianenko. The cousin of the Russian fighter could be stability. The test “Can you tell Fedor-2013 citations from Fedor-2023 citations” will fail 99%.
But Fedor intends to finish well, in the top 50 only one heavyweight remained older than him, and the figure of 47 professional fights was submitted to few modern fighters in this weight class.
Emelianenko could get revenge for his most demotivating loss yet. Fedor fights Ryan Bader (30 wins, 7 losses), who knocked him out in 35 seconds in January 2019. At stake is the Bellator heavyweight championship belt and the possibility of leaving, having won four full championship belts in 22.5 years of career. The fight between Emelianenko and Bader will take place on February 4 in Inglewood (USA).
Fedor’s quotes before the fight, which he himself calls the last of his career, look like this:
“I would like to win this fight. God willing. Thanks to Scott [Кокеру, президенту лиги] and Bellator, that I had the opportunity to fight the champ, and on that pleasant note, end my career, regardless of the outcome. See Saturday.
I would like to be remembered as a believer and an athlete who captured the hearts of his fans in the ring or in the cage. Not with chatter about my opponent or some kind of swearing, but with the work that I did in the ring.
About the beginning of the journey
– I just switched from sambo and judo to professional fighting and had to study where I came from. I put tapes with different MMA tournaments. I watched how champions behave, realized that after a while I could compete with them. Didn’t see anything special, just need to work. I tried to prepare well from fight to fight and to win.
About the fight with Brock Lesnar in the UFC
“I’ve had a wonderful career, thank God. If a fight didn’t happen, it shouldn’t have happened.
About projects outside of sport
— My family, my team and the development of MMA in Russia. And one more thing – I’m still a student, I want to graduate from college. Following.
About the form
“I surprise myself. Thank God I’m well preserved. Thanks to my team, the guys have always supported me. I have tried to preserve those qualities which you develop in your youth and which at an advanced age of sport you are already trying to preserve. And I tried to keep them.
About the feeling of the last press conference before the fight
Thank God it’s the last time. It’s probably already time. I am absolutely not angry. Maybe Scott will call me for a press conference.
About exhibition fights and a possible transition to boxing
– I see how MMA stars behave now in boxing. Thoughts of whether I could fight the same were. But I want to end my sports career. At all. I have many other jobs
About the times they call it a “legend”
– I try not to think or accept that I’m a “legend” or anything like that. But I try to share my experience.
On Khabib’s decision to retire from MMA completely and his willingness to repeat it
It’s Khabib’s decision. There is nothing abnormal or illegal in that. It’s a personal choice. We athletes take so much time away from our families that sometimes we want to give it all up. Especially when young children are waiting at home.
I have my team. These guys are like family to me. Therefore, no matter how life develops, I will always be with them, help them in any way possible. I’m very happy that the guys have become champions. What I worked for, worked for for many years, here it is – a new generation is replacing me.
My whole life has been in sports, so I can’t imagine myself without sports. I will share my experience, give some tips. Even if there is another job, other hobbies. Sport is in my blood.
About your decision
– Age. It’s time to finish. The loads that I have carried out, I can no longer bear. And you have to fully prepare for young fighters. My family is waiting for me at home. My mother asks me. Tired of worrying.
Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
