(photo via Esther Lin for Strikeforce)
Fedor Emelianenko’s loss Saturday night to Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva could turn out to be the best thing to happen to the Russian’s career.
For year’s he’s kept himself secluded in Stary Oskal, Russia preparing for his fights the same way, year after year. In the days of Pride when he ruled the heavyweight division, this method of training was fine. Matches between fighters were only booked weeks in advance and many competitors in the division were of comparable weight to Fedor’s 230 lbs from Friday nights weigh-ins.
But this isn’t the early millennium, this is the year 2011 when fighters have months to study their opponents, prepare professional camps for the sheer focus of defeating one man, and where many heavyweights have to cut weight in order to make the 265 lb limit.
Fedor like many of Japan’s faltering fighters have all done one thing, they have failed to adapt to the new reality that is mixed martial arts. Like the great Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu “Know thy enemy” and prepare accordingly.
It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.
Last year when Fedor was preparing to face Fabricio Werdum, he was asked if he’d brought in any Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experts to help him prepare, Fedor replied stoically no Russian Sambo was all he needed.
After last nights loss, some are starting to question “The Last Emporer’s” training camp for this fight also. Fellow tournament participant Josh Barnett noted in an interview after the event that he felt his friend failed to do what was necessary to meet “Bigfoot” in the cage.
It’s a safe bet that there were no 6′4″ three hundred pound BJJ black belts visiting anywhere near Story Oskal as Fedor prepared for last nights fight.
As I see it, he’s been shown the door to change and it’s up to him to take the first steps to a successful comeback.
I hope he fights again, but if he does I hope that he does what many who reinvent themselves do, they cast off the remnants of the past and embrace the future.
Fedor should distance himself from his current management and hangers-on to start fresh. Move his next camp to North America or Europe and join one of the great gyms such as American Top Team, American Kickboxing Academy, or Golden Glory. Any gym in the world that produces professional fighters would welcome the Russian through their doors with open arms.