ALEKSANDER EMELIANENKO SPEAKS
Aleksander Emelianenko was recently interviewed by a Russian website. Here's what Aleksander had to say (translation by Igor S.):
Interviewer: Who would you like to fight if you go to the UFC?
Aleksander: Whoever is the best there.
Interviewer: Would you like to fight in the UFC?
Aleksander: As far as I know there are negotiations in progress for me to fight in the UFC to set up some fights there. I want Fedor to stay the best in PRIDE, and I'll go try to take the belt over there.
Interviewer: Has PRIDE ever ask you to fight Fedor ?
Aleksander: No, but I hear people talk about it all the time. He is my brother and we will never fight in a competition, but there were showcase-like sambo matches where we did fight.
Interviewer: What did you say to Sergei Kharitonov after the fight?
Aleksander: Nothing. I just shook his hand.
Interviewer: Did you talk with Kharitonov afterwards?
Aleksander: No. He never came by to talk to me after the fight.
Interviewer: Do you ever play cards ?
Aleksander: Yes, sometimes.
Interviewer: Does it bother you that everyone percieves you only as Fedor's little brother rather then Aleksander Emelianenko?
Aleksander: No. Fedor and I have the same goal, which is to proudly carry our name on for years to come. First with Fedor, then with me, and then when our younger brother Ivan grows up he will take over. He is going to college right now, and is training in grappling, sambo, and boxing. We are trying to help him as much as we can, and you will see Ivan in the ring very soon.
Interviewer: What do you think about steroids, especially in PRIDE where there is not drug testing?
Aleksander: A lot of fighters take them. Pretty much everyone with big muscles is using them. It is impossible to grow such big muscles without steroids. My brother and I take vitamins here and there, but that's all we take.
Interviewer: Which fight was your favorite, and why?
Aleksander: It's hard to say. There are many.
Interviewer: Did it affect your game when Pawel Nastula started sweating profusely after the first minute of your fight with him?
Aleksander: No, not really. All fighters sweat in every fight.
Interviewer: Are you happy with your tattoos, and are you thinking of getting another one on on your chest?
Aleksander: Yes. Nothing comes to mind as far as wht tattoo I should get, but I'm thinking about it.
Interviewer: Who do you think has the best chance to beat Fedor right now?
Aleksander: After Fedor leaves there will be a new champion, but while he is fighting… No one. (laughs)
Interviewer: In your opinion, can you beat Tim Sylvia ?
Aleksander: Tim is a good fighter, but… let's just say that if I get the opportunity to fight him, I will take his title away with pleasure.
Interviewer: Is ther anything that you do better then Fedor in a fight?
Aleksander: I think it is better to ask this question to the trainers or the fans.
Interviewer: Who are you plan to fight in the near future? CroCop, Barnett, Nogueira… ?
Aleksander: For some reason, Barnett does not want to fight me again. Nogueira has turned me down three times, and to be honest there are noly any fighters out there that want to fight me at all.
Interviewer: Are you going to fight on the PRIDE card on December 31st?
Aleksander: I don't know yet. I am getting ready to fight on November 12th.
Interviewer: American fans are asking when will they be able to see you fight in the states?
Aleksander: I hope very soon.
Interviewer: What happened with Antonio Silva turning down an upcoming fight with you?
Aleksander: I don't get involved in promoter politics and don't know what happened.
Interviewer: Despite the fact that you are a sambo fighter, everyone notices that you like to fight standing. Why is this?
Aleksander: I feel very comfortable striking with opponents, especially with my hands. I might fight professional boxing matches soon. Oscar De La Hoya is guiding me in this direction right now, and I will fight professionally soon.
Interviewer: Do you drink a lot of vodka?
Aleksander: No, not a lot.
Interviewer: What does the tattoo on your back mean ?
Aleksander: It's simple. It's from the imagination of the artist who did it.
Interviewer: Who is your favorite fighter?
Aleksander: Fedor.
Interviewer: Who do yhou think would win this time around, Mirko Cro Cop or Rodrigo Nogueira?
Aleksander: Nogueira has gotten worse since they first fought, and Mirko has improved himself.
Interviewer: When are you planning to end your fighting career?
Aleksander: Not anytime soon. Maybe in ten years.
Interviewer: How do you think Fedor's career will continue to develop?
Aleksander: We don't talk about those things really. We just fight.
Interviewer: Do people in Russia know who you are?
Aleksander: Not really. I am mostly recognized in Japan.
Interviewer: What qualities should a modern fighter have to be the best?
Aleksander: All of them. If you lack in even one, then it is a weakness and you will eventually be beat by a fighter who will exploit this weakness.
Interviewer: Do you spend time on the internet and in the chat forums?
Aleksander: Yes, I do go to fighting forums and read all kinds of things.
Interviewer: What would you like to say to your fans?
Aleksander: My fighting career is in its very beginning and I hope to show my fans a lot of progress in the future. Thank you very much for your support.
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