KNOCKOUT INTERVIEW: FEDOR EMELIANENKO

KO: You’ve been asked this question over and over but what will it take for fight fans to see you in the UFC?
FE: I am fighting for M-1, Strikeforce and CBS now and I am very happy with this. The UFC made me an offer where I didn’t feel comfortable with.

KO: Why did you sign with Strikeforce over other organizations?
FE: I did not sign with Strikeforce, this is a big misunderstanding. I signed with M-1 Global. M-1 made a deal with SF to co-promote which leads to me fighting on M-1/Strikeforce shows.

KO: Do you feel that the Strikeforce match on CBS was a defining moment for the sport or your career?
FE: Once again, it is an M-1Global/Strikeforce match, and for me it’s an honor to fight at an event which is broadcasted on CBS for millions of viewers. I can’t say it’s a defining moment in my career or the sport, that’s for others to decide.

KO: What is more difficult, the training for fights or the publicity commitments for fights?
FE: The publicity, I don’t like to be in the spotlight, but I like training very much.

KO: Your reported pay is far below what most would expect. Are there other ways you make money through incentives in the fight or endorsements?
FE: Let me tell you this, no one has to feel sorry for me.

KO: If money and organization affiliations were a not obstacle, who is the one fighter you want to challenge?
FE: I don’t have one fighter in particular. Of course, it would be great if a fight between me and Brock Lesnar could ever happen,

but .. CLICK HERE TO BUY THE JANUARY 2010 ISSUE OF KNOCKOUT MAGAZINE TO READ THE REST OF FEDOR'S ANSWER AND THE FULL INTERVIEW