You recently returned from training in the Elbrus region, which was your second time training there. Describe your trainings, results, achievements.
The training sessions were at the height of 2,200 meters (7,218 feet). The main part of the work, such as exercises for endurance and an ability to withstand a certain load, is complete. Two weeks of training in the same mode, such as putting the necessary load additionally, is remaining. After that, I will begin preparing for the competition. I lost a little weight due to the training sessions. I am currently 103 kg (228 pounds), but visually it doesn't seem like it.
Maybe you are considering moving down a weight class?
Oh no (laughs), I have no such intentions for now.
In November your brother participated on a PRIDE show in the Netherlands? Tell us about his performance.
The performance was unsuccessful for my brother; Aleksander lost to Fabricio Werdum. According to the trainer, he managed the fight incompetently. He did everything that should not be done, and did not listen to what he was warned about... Sanya (Russian nickname for Aleksander) was probably over confident. It seems that he "fell ill" with star disease; considers himself a great fighter, stopped training properly (we already have not been working together for more than half a year), and now suffered a serious defeat for a second time in a year...
Do you see a solution to the situation? Is there a possibility to help your brother to continue having a successful career? Not so long ago he was defeating his opponents in mere minutes, and sometimes seconds. Experts were saying that winning is a family feature of the Emelianenko brothers.
Frankly speaking, I have no desire to interfere in the affairs of my brother. He is a grown man, and chooses for himself which way to go.
You may be right. It happens frequently that people requesting help or good advice, put the blame of their failures on those who answered their requests and really tried to help.
Yes, we also had a situation after his fight with Josh Barnett. Aleksander partly blamed me for his defeat, even though he did not follow any of the advice that I gave him... It was a good lesson, and now I have no intentions of interfering in his matters.
And what are the chances to see your younger brother, Ivan, in the rings of prestigious fighting promotions?
Ivan will soon participate in a combat sambo tournament. He frequently travels to trainings with us, as he did to this one in the Elbrus region, but thus far I do not see any sense in promoting him into getting fights in PRIDE. He is not ready for competitions of that level yet. With Ivan, sometimes he is training very seriously, with the desire, and other times, unfortunately, he just does it inconsistently. Maybe he thinks that results can also be achieved by only training from time-to-time.... He has the same problem that Aleksander does. If Sanya (Aleksander) approached the training with a large zeal, he could have already been the champion long ago, or at least been definitely breathing down my back. But since he only trains before the fight, such sad defeats happen.
And who does Aleksander train with now?
Aleksander went to train in the Netherlands before his participation in the last PRIDE show. Considering that Fabricio Werdum is a very competent wrestler, very serious, Aleksander needed a good sparring partner for the training sessions. But in the Netherlands there was simply not anyone to wrestle. Though trainers repeatedly suggested to him that he come with us, Aleksander refused. He decided that it would be better for him in the Netherlands, and the results are obvious.
Now every week, on Saturdays, TV viewers can become acquainted with the shows and fighters of PRIDE, watching broadcasts on NTV. What other ways do you think the mixed martial arts become more popular in Russia, and is there a future for this sport in our country?
Of course. Of course fights have a future in our country. Viewers show a great interest in fights. Concerning becoming popular, without a doubt it must more actively go through the mass media. The more they promote it, the more they tell about mixed martial arts fights, the more people can learn about these competitions. PRIDE is already popular enough as seen from the rating of the program. Previously at this time on NTV they showed stories about boxing and the fights of outstanding masters in this form of sport, but they enjoyed much less success with the viewers.
In continuation of the previous question, PRIDE shows have already been staged twice in the Netherlands. Another PRIDE show just took place in October in America. Do the organizers plan to spread the PRIDE shows around the world?
I know that there were negotiations with China and Korea, but thus far everything remains at the level of agreement and nothing more. How soon PRIDE shows take place in these countries I do not know... I do know that there are intentions to carry out shows in Russia too, but this direction is only in the stage of discussion right now. However, Russians and fans of mixed martial arts will have a chance in March to see the "Team Russia vs. Team America" show, which will take place in St. Petersburg, Russia. Roman Zentsov, my brother Aleksander, and some up-and-coming young fighters will participate for Team Russia along with myself.
It seems that women are doing many different sports now. Are there shows, similar to PRIDE, with the participation of women?
There are shows in Japan and America that regularly include the participation of women. Two or three female fights go in addition to the male fights. There are also ratings, with top women competitors in their own weight categories. And in Russia, there are also girls who are more then happy to test their skills in the ring.
Many parents are interested to know at what age, from both a physiological and moral point-of-view, is it best to start teaching martial arts to children? Are there any recommendations from initial founders of a particular school, for example, of eastern martial arts?
To be honest, there are no special recommendations. And really there are many arguments regarding what age children should start training martial arts. I started to train in age of 11 and my first trainer, Vasiliy Ivanovich Gavrilov, let me know from the very beginning that results are not to be achieved without hard work. I started to train seriously ever since the first years; at the end of the training sessions my gi was always wet from sweat. But now many children are brought to sport academies by their parents at the age of eight, seven, and even six. But I don't know how seriously a child at this age can train. Generally speaking, in the first years they give general education, overall strengthening exercises, and mobility games are also performed in the training sessions. It is difficult for me to say which method is better to adhere to. In any case, the optimal choice to start training martial arts is the age of 10. Children already approach training sessions more consciously. They want to learn techniques, throws, etc.
You are invited as the honorable guest of the "USA vs. Russia" show, which will take place in Canada. Have you ever tried to keep statistics on how many flights you have to do in a year? And what form of transportation do you prefer?
The show is already taking place today on December 4th. Unfortunately, I could not attend because I have a serious preparation for the upcoming December 31st show. Regarding the number of flights, I have never thought of that. My favourite means of transportation, if it is not for long distances, is without a doubt a car. I love driving a car a lot. If we are traveling with a fun group, moving by train is great... Though literally 8-9 months ago trains made me very nervous. Maybe because before and after the operation I had to go back and forth between St. Petersburg and Old Oskol by myself?!... But generally I am comfortable with any means of transportation.
Do you have any trips planned in the near future?
No, I don't plan to go anywhere because I have to prepare for the December 31st show.
Has your opponent already been announced?
At the current moment it is Mark Hunt. He is a former K-1 champion, who also defeated Mirko Cro Cop after I did. So the fight will be interesting.
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