Sergei Kornev: Always try to stay alert

At the tournament M-1 Challenge 34 Emelianenko VS Gluhov , which will be held in the Moscow sport complex "Druzhba" on September 30, for the vacant world title in the weight category up to 93 kilograms will beat Pole Marcin Zontek and a representative of the club "Legion" from Rostov-on- Don Sergei Kornev .

- Sergei Kornev represents our club since 2007 - says the head of the club "Legion" Armen Danelyan. - his most significant achievement in mixed martial arts today is to win the World Cup in Pankration (version WU FC) in Portugal in 2008. Then he spent three fights and won the championship belt. He was the champion of Russia in freestyle wrestling, master of sports. Also in 2008 the team of the club "Legion" was involved in the club world championship mix fight M-1, the stages of which were held in England, Brazil, Bulgaria and Russia. Sergei Kornev participated in all these events, and the team became world champion in mixed martial arts.

- What do you know about the opponent Sergey for the upcoming tournament?

- While we do not know it very well. The representative of the Academy of Martial Arts Paul Krazevskogo Pole Marcin Zontek is a veteran of such events as KSW, Heroes Gate and Bushido Lituania. On the Russian mixed martial arts scene, he appeared only this year and immediately made ​​a name for himself by winning the final minute of the fight choke Igor Saveliev a superfight at the shooting reality show M-1 Fighter 2. After that Marcin was invited to perform at M-1 Challenge and a month later won a second resounding victory by sending a technical knockout who did not know until then defeats Salim Davidov. Salim Davidov Sergei Kornev met in the tournament M-1 Global Fedor vs Monson and the judge then gave the victory to Davydov, causing doubt not only for us, but many experts. Now Sergei became possible to prove in practice that it is stronger than its rivals. Preparation time, of course, is not enough, but to give up the chance we have not found it possible. After winning the Pole, Sergei proves that in a fight with Salim Davidov he was stronger, he's the best of Russian fighters in his weight class. Not to mention, of course, that in itself is winning championship belt opens Sergei Kornev very good prospects. Of course, there are difficulties in preparing for a fight in such a short time, but I believe in the power of Sergei and I believe in his victory.

About the upcoming fight and a little about yourself says Sergey Kornev.

I began to seriously engage in sports with a 13-year-old, with the two wrestling coaches - Elefira Lazarevicha Kositidi and Gennady Kanonykina. In 1999 he won the Russian championship in wrestling, performed Master of Sports.

- The victory of the Russian Championship Wrestling over weighty achievement, it opens up prospects for participation in European and world championships and Olympic Games in the national team. Why did you leave wrestling?

- Historically, after winning the championship of Russia, I had to act on, at a higher level, but at the time I had a son, and was to meet the new challenges. So I went away for a while from the fight and took a job that allowed me to support a family. Even earlier, before the Russian Championship, I entered in 1997 in Novocherkassk reclamation Academy, started the Greco-Roman wrestling. The first time that I, of course, many abandoned, but then made ​​himself, performed the standard candidate master. He played for the team of university for different types of struggle, when it had to be coaches.

- What attracted you to the land reclamation?

- You remember what it was a few years. I gave more time skiing. Novocherkassk won the Greco-Roman wrestling, although he was "freestyle wrestler," and I was invited by coach Nikolai Golovin, who worked at the academy. He, by the way, is still working, even though he has 85 years, but he continues to train children and teenagers. I am very much obliged to him and treat him with great respect. It is a wonderful person and coach.

- When you meet with mixed martial arts and spent his first fight?

- As a wrestler, at first I was quite skeptical about the mixed fights, or, as they were called then, MMA. But in 2007, I was asked to fight in a tournament in the Afternoon. From the beginning of my acquaintance with the mix fight. In the same year came to the club "Legion" and started training in Islam Karimov.

- It was hard to learn striking techniques, locks, chokes?

- I would not say that this was a problem for me. Learned a lot, Islam Karimov, helped the guys with whom trained in "Legion." I tell them to, how to fight in the front, and they taught me to fight on the ground.

- Perhaps, after school freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, Floor techniques you've owned quite well. Do you mean, obviously, locks and chokes?

- Yes, of course. Fight on the ground rules for freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, I could, but the techniques of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, locks and chokes were completely unfamiliar to me, and had to learn about them from the start.

- How much did you spend fighting in mixed martial arts?

- Unfortunately, I did not keep statistics from the beginning of my performance, but we can say that spent a total of 15 fights, of which two were defeated.

- Losses from whom?

- The first time I played the German Gregor Herb, skipping armbar in the 4th round of the world championship mixed martial arts M-1 Challenge 2009 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A second defeat judges counted me in a fight with Salim Davidov November 20 last year.


- Which of the most memorable fights that have took?

- It is even difficult to say. For every battle you go out, as the last. Remember all my fights. Sorry for the defeat of the Germans .....

Of victories, perhaps we could provide the World Cup in Pankration in Portugal. I spent three fights. Two fights were serious. The first fight was the reigning world champion Portuguese Rafael Silva. The second battle at the Belgian Damien Berto I won in 40 seconds. Third fight with an old rival Ishkhan Zakarian from Armenia, I also won, but it's hard with a leg injury. Was a heavy battle with Bulgarian Rosen Dimitrov, the world championship for mixed martial arts M-1 Challenge 2008 in English Nottingham. Battles were many, and they were important to me at that time, when I took part in them.

- What technique do you prefer, a shock or wrestling?

- Now the level of mixed martial arts is such that the victory needs to own the whole arsenal of tricks. If before the fighters could be divided into distinct strikers and wrestlers, but now most of them are generalists, are equally proficient and striking technique, and Floor techniques.

- Which of the following sports, in your opinion, is the closest to the mixed fights, allows you to buy the best basic training?

- For me closer freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, but these are my personal preferences. With great respect, I began to treat boxers.

- What do you think of martial arts, karate, taekwondo and so on?

- I do not think their occupying a serious matter. Of course, I do respect those who are interested in them, but as a martial arts they do not perceive.

- How is your training process?

- Every day I spend two sessions, approximately two hours. Morning - GPP work on functional training, running, strength training, sledgehammer. Evening - alternate struggle and development of shock technology.

- How do you prefer to spend your free time? Have any hobbies other than sports?

- I also have two children, what could be more hobbies?

- You trained only in "Legion" or visited in other clubs?

- No, the other clubs I have not worked. In "Legion" is a very good, almost family atmosphere here and I was happy with everything.

- How well do you know your opponent, which will meet on September 30, you can say about him?

- The fact that I have to fight for the belt with Marcin Zontekom I learned recently. I looked on the internet a few of his fights. At first sight - a normal fighter, pretty well trained, but he has a gap in the defense. Physically strong, good fights strongly beats. All will become clear in the ring.

- You have already developed a script of the upcoming fight?

- I would not like to comment on the details of their training. I train as usual, I hope to approach the fight in good shape.

- How long do you expect to serve in mixed martial arts?

- I try not to make plans for the future. If you have any good suggestions - I will fight until one is available. The proposal now is to fight for M-1 Challenge was a pleasant surprise for me, I will try to use has been my chance.

- Fight to be serious, and time to prepare for it have turned out quite small?

- Time, of course, not a lot, but it's not terrible. I try to always keep alert, regardless of when to battle. So in that respect, all right.

- You participate in the fighting since 2007. How, in your opinion, have changed over time MMA?

- Of course, the level of fighters very grown up. Especially, I think, in Russia. I think that in a short time with our soldiers, no one can compete. There was a lot of talented young people, Brazilians and Americans soon will rest.

- Perhaps you've been following developments in the world of mixed martial arts? Of the men who could be made available?

- I try to keep track of battles, but single out any of the men do not presume. Everybody is trying, everyone wants to be the best, everyone has spent some of his techniques, tactics and techniques of warfare. Weak in mixed martial arts can not be determined. After losing a few fights, fighter loses perspective and leaves. That does not mean he's a bad fighter, just not all find themselves in this kind of combat. Even in order to spend two to three fights in mixed martial arts, you need certain qualities of character than is required of you in the fight against the carpet or in the boxing ring. This is a type of martial arts, and it requires the fighters special physical and psychological training. We, of course, the gladiators, but everyone is ready to do much to win.

Certificate

Sergei Kornev. Born July 20, 1978 in the city of Rostov region in Novoshakhtinsk miner's family.

Freestyle wrestling started at age 13, became the champion of Russia in freestyle wrestling in 1999. Master of sports of wrestling, candidate master in Greco-Roman wrestling.

In mixed martial arts Sergey debuted in 2007 and immediately scored seven victories in a row, six of them early. In 2009, with the club Kornev spoke at World Team Championship in mixed martial arts M-1 Challenge - 2009, including three victories by his club "Legion" won that year the title of world champions. In 2011, eighteen months after the break Sergei returned to fight in the tournament, and M-1 Selection 2011 Europe sent a technical knockout Spanish soldier Antonio Gonzalez, after he took part in the tournament M-1 Global Fedor vs Monson and heavy three-round lost by decision Salim Daudova. In May 2012 Sergey struggled in the tournament Legionfight 11 and only 38 seconds knocked out Australian Fergus Balfour. World Champion in Pankration 2008.

Conducted according to the rules of mixed martial arts 15 fights, a 13-win.

Wife Tatiana, son Adreyu 13 years, engaged in freestyle wrestling at the school of Olympic reserve. Daughter, Diana 3 years - sport is not keen.

He graduated from Novocherkassk reclamation Academy in 2002.

Lives in Rostov-on-Don, the club is "Legion."