Fedor makes national news headlines during Dubai visit: Article, press conference, & pics

Fedor class leaves UAE fans and fighters knocked out
October 10, 2013 - www.thenational.ae


Fedor Emelianenko, the former mixed martial arts champion, takes the workshop at the Glory MMA and Fitness Centre in Dubai. ‘It’s amazing how intelligent he is,’ said one long-time fan. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National


DUBAI // Russian mixed martial arts legend Fedor Emelianenko held a rare seminar on Wednesday for more than 100 of his fans and amateur fighters at Glory MMA and Fitness Centre in Al Quoz.

Dubbed “The Last Emperor” for his near-perfect reign in the ring and cage for more than a decade, Emelianenko is a sambist and judoka martial artist who won several world titles, and Russian and European tournaments.

His most notable success in an extensive career was the Pride 2004 Grand Prix title win, when he defeated Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera in one of the most talked about fights in MMA history.

Last night he showed how he was able to manhandle the top heavyweights in the world, almost all of whom were more than twice his size.

“It’s not about power,” Emelianenko told the class. “It’s about technique.”

Even the more advanced practitioners of the sport were astounded by the champion’s insights into every little detail of the sport.

“It’s amazing how intelligent he is,” said one fighter. “Now I understand how he was so calm in every position in his fights. He has mastered all of them.”

Emelianenko covered how to turn a disadvantage into an advantage if you pay attention to your opponent’s centre of gravity at all times. He also advised fighters to keep a poker face when exchanging blows.

“You must have a blank expression. Your opponent is trying to read your eyes and see your reaction to everything he is trying, so you can’t give anything away.”

“Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would get to train with Fedor one day,” said Vlad Belov, 18, who had been training MMA at Glory for more than two years.

“He showed us much of what we train here every day but just at a much higher level. It was just an amazing experience.”

Emelianenko’s visit is a huge boost to the ever-growing MMA scene in the region and there was also preliminary talk of the UAE setting up a MMA team. Plans are also afoot for a federation.

“The main purpose of the visit is to help establish a federation to monitor the sport and regulate MMA,” said Tam Khan, owner and head coach of Glory MMA Centre.

“We have federations for judo here but not for MMA. We need a body that can look out for the interest of the fighter and protect them.

“That will go a long way in developing the sport in the region and building a legitimate UAE team.”

MMA events in the UAE are regulated under general sports federations or judo federations.

“MMA combines various combat sports into one, so we need a regulatory authority that is familiar with all aspects of the sport,” said Mr Khan. “We need to get proper licensing, referees, judging to legitimise the sport in the region.”

Of Emelianenko’s visit, he added: “I was just so happy, especially to bring such a rare thing like this to my students and MMA fans in Dubai.

“It’s like meeting Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods for my Russian students. I just know they’ll be so happy. Fedor is to Russia what Manny Pacquiao is to the Philippines.”

Emelianenko, 37, said: “MMA fans are more important to me than anything else. I do my best to teach them good techniques and interesting movements.

“It is very important for me that they enjoy it and want to continue practising MMA. Communication is the most important part, making sure that we understand all the details.

“I want people to leave with the feeling that this experience has exceeded their expectations. I will leave part of my soul in this seminar.”

In his career, Emelianenko was known for his baby face and shyness, both of which were deceptive as they masked his vicious fighting style, his deadly ground and pound, and his unbelievable endurance.

“It takes a few seconds to understand my opponent, from the way he moves and the distance he keeps,” he said. “The same is true during training. You have to read the fighter and find the weakness.

“My most interesting fights were the ones where it was a battle of the minds, like a chess match. Those are the ones I enjoyed the most.

“I’m not a fan of just exchanging punches or kicks, or doing fancy moves to show off. Everything you do in a fight has to be for a reason."

“I love to see fighters who can change their style based on the type of opponent they are facing.”


http://www.thenational.ae/sport/mma/fedor-class-leaves-uae-fans-and-fighters-knocked-out

Fedor Press Conference - United Arab Emirates 10/09/13

eXtv on Sherdog wrote:Cliffnotes:

- Would not come out of retirement if the UFC came to Russia to do an event

- Still trains in MMA, but is not intending in ever competing again

- Thinks that MMA being a sport that comprises all martial arts is key to it's popularity

- Happy to share his skills and that people are willing to learn from him

- Sees Sambo as the ideal martial art to transition to MMA as it comprises many aspects of MMA

- Thinks if Cain Velasquez will implement his game against Dos Santos he will win again, that Cain is a 'thinking fighter'

- Never chose his opponents, fought everyone that was put in front of him, in Strikeforce, M-1 and Affliction

- He wants to help all MMA-related Martial Arts like Sambo and Judo grow in Russia

- Would like to see amateur MMA grow in Russia and develop

- Felt at one point that Dana hated him due to loud comments and insults

Everywhere he goes they treat him like a head of state on an official visit. Not bad for a guy who fought a bunch of cans and was never good enough to be in the UFC. 

Great thread, my brother.

It'd be great if Fedor went seriously into coaching someday. He has a lot knowledge to pass on.

I'm glad he made a successful name outside of the UFC because Dana always had it out for the guy.

“It’s not about power,” Emelianenko told the class. “It’s about technique.”

Another legendary comment.

adam wrote:Great thread, my brother.

It'd be great if Fedor went seriously into coaching someday. He has a lot knowledge to pass on.

I'm glad he made a successful name outside of the UFC because Dana always had it out for the guy.

He's stated numerous times recently that his positions with the Russian Ministry of Sport and the amateur Russian Federation Of MMA makes it impossible for him to coach.

Some good news though... he will be filming very in depth instructional videos at some point in the near future. I would imagine that it would be more than just what he covered in his book.

The utter ignorance & idiocy, combined with a good dose of American & Brazilian arrogance at American-based big camps is just nuts. Can you imagine if Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin's coaches from their beginnings til today never studied, taught, or implemented any of the greatest hockey player of all time's technique and playing strategy into their games. Ya know, the things that made Wayne Gretzky the greatest hockey player of all time. Ahaha! How about Kobe himself never modelling any of Michael Jordan's techniques or playing strategies into his game and none of his coaches recognizing those things nor teaching them. How about Tiger Woods and Ben Hogan or Jack Nicklaus. WTF!

The whole elite-level MMA community is pretty stupid. Ignorance of the techniques Fedor was using???... sure I can understand they were not elementary boxing or low-mid-level BJJ. They were much more technical. Most-all Fedor's techniques are foreign to them. He transitioned from one to another seamlessly at super speed which makes all of the really technical stuff he did hard to see. We do have the technology to slow those things down on video though.

Why no one is importing top-level Combat Sambo & Judo coaches for their teams is completely mind blowing to me. Why aren't any promising MMA athletes buying a one way ticket to Stary Oskol, Russia... parking themself on the front doorstep of Fedor's Combat Sambo & Judo coach Vladimir Voronov or his striking coach Alexander Michkov's???

I'm not sure if there is a precedent in the history of pro sports where the 100% proven best techniques and playing strategy is ignored or not figured out and emulated. Take about your high fight IQ.

Do you know around when he plans on releasing his instructional video?

I'd be very interested in purchasing that if it's at a reasonable price.

adam wrote:Do you know around when he plans on releasing his instructional video?

I'd be very interested in purchasing that if it's at a reasonable price.

Not sure. Hope it has English sub titles.