After this past weekends TKO defeat to Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in the opening quarterfinal round of the Strikeforce Heavyweight World Grand Prix tournament, Russian fighter Fedor Emelianenko (31-3-1) said that maybe it was time for him to retire in an interview immediately after the loss.
Now word has come out from the Russians camp that he’s […]
After this past weekends TKO defeat to Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva in the opening quarterfinal round of the Strikeforce Heavyweight World Grand Prix tournament, Russian fighter Fedor Emelianenko (31-3-1) said that maybe it was time for him to retire in an interview immediately after the loss.
Now word has come out from the Russians camp that he’s changed his mind and has a “few more fights” ahead of him before that happens.
The update was Tweeted by vk_valetudoru today, who also posted the photos of the smiling Russian, whose mood seems to have picked up since his loss to “Bigfoot” on Saturday.
– Fedor just said he is not quiting, he will have “few more fights” ahead of him. Pictures are coming, stay tuned.
Another Tweet also states that Fedor’s manager, Vadim Finkelstein, will push for the Russian to “travel around the world and train with different coaches,” this after criticism has surfaced that “The Last Emporer” past training camps have failed to properly prepare him for his last two opponents.
An article by BloodyElbow.com also posted these quotes from the fighter and his Sambo coach.
“I rushed to declare my retirement. I will fight more. Possibly, I will return to the Heavyweight Grand-Prix. I am capable of having a few more fights. I didn’t make any analysis yet on why I lost. I need to recover, I can’t see very well yet.” – Fedor Emelianenko, after returning to Russia
“It’s very nice that Fedor still has his fighting spirit, he is ready to rip everyone apart right now. Yes, his eye is swallowed, but it will heal. Most importantly for him not to have any psychological pressure. After this, he will train with a triple effort.” – Vladimir Voronov, SAMBO coach.
Inside MMA’s Ron Kruck caught up with M-1 Global CEO and friend/manager of Fedor Emelianenko, Vadim Finkelstien after Fedor’s loss to Antonio Silva at the Strikefore World Heavyweight Grand Prix. ; Finkelstein, spoke about the possibility of Fedor retiring and how he really doesn’t think Fedor lost the fight.
HT: HDNet.Fights
Inside MMA’s Ron Kruck caught up with M-1 Global CEO and friend/manager of Fedor Emelianenko, Vadim Finkelstien after Fedor’s loss to Antonio Silva at the Strikefore World Heavyweight Grand Prix. ; Finkelstein, spoke about the possibility of Fedor retiring and how he really doesn’t think Fedor lost the fight.
Press Release – New York, NY (February 13, 2011) – With ringside physicians electing to halt the start of the third and final round between Fedor Emelianenko and BigFoot Silva, the legendary “Last Emperor’ suffered the second loss of his career and spoke with sincere emotion about the possibility of retirement. With his future to […]
Press Release – New York, NY (February 13, 2011) – With ringside physicians electing to halt the start of the third and final round between Fedor Emelianenko and BigFoot Silva, the legendary “Last Emperor’ suffered the second loss of his career and spoke with sincere emotion about the possibility of retirement. With his future to be determined, the humble, competitive warrior will reflect on the loss and announce his intentions in the near future. More details will follow on the official M-1 Global website (www.M-1Global.com).
In Saturday night’s M-1 Global and Strikeforce co-promoted event which kicked off the start of the Heavyweight Grand Prix tournament live on Showtime, Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko faced formidable opponent Antonio ‘BigFoot’ Silva in the evening’s main event. With each fighter earning a round to their name, the contest has halted by ring-side physicians prior to starting the third and deciding frame; Emelianenko had suffered damage to his right eye that was enough warrant the stoppage via TKO as a safety precaution.
Speaking inside the cage, an emotional Emelianenko eluded that the fight may have been the last of his iconic career. “I want to thank for you for your support,’’ said Fedor (31-3, 1 NC), a class act and sportsman win or lose. “Something was wrong from the beginning. I didn’t adjust. Maybe it is time to leave.’’ When pressed in the cage afterward by Showtime announcer, Gus Johnson, whether this was indeed the last time he would fight, the revered Fedor said, “Yes, maybe this is last time, maybe it’s high time (to retire). I had a great, beautiful sporting life. Yes, maybe it’s time. Thank you very much for the support. Thank God for everything.’’ As one the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, Emelianenko will reflect on the loss and his future in the privacy of his family and friends and make a clear decision shortly.
Speaking with M-1 Global Director of Operations, Evgeni Kogan after the fight, the helmsman was honest and direct. “The Commission erred on the side of caution in stopping the bout when Fedor wanted to continue and we put our trust in their decision – a fighter’s safety is always paramount. Fedor trained harder than he ever had for this fight against Silva and we’ll never know what the outcome would have been had they entered into the third round. Tonight was disappointing.”
In subsequent post-fight interviews, Kogan was keenly optimistic regarding the future of M-1 Global. “Fedor is one the greatest fighters in MMA history and his legacy will always exist. Although his loss was unfortunate, it doesn’t affect our plans going forward; for M-1 Global’s day-to-day operations, it’s business as usual. We have a heavy schedule of events and significant announcements to make in the coming weeks. M-1 has over 80 fighters and Fedor is one of them. His legacy is helping the brand seek out and develop the next superstars of the sport.”
With M-1 Global’s direction crystal clear, Europe’s largest promotion is quickly closing in on its next event, M-1 Challenge XXIII: Guram vs. Grishin on Saturday March 5th from the Crocus City Arena in Moscow, Russia. The event will stream LIVE and for free on the official M-1 Global website (www.M-1Global.com) starting at 11:00am EST / 8:00am.
“This card is stacked,” said Kogan. “It sets an extremely high standard for us to maintain going forward. The title contention picture in the light heavyweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions will be crystal clear at the night’s end and after that we forge head-on for our return to the USA.”
With M-1 Challenge champions established in all five weight classes, a true contenders system will fuel events throughout 2011, driving M-1 Global’s growth as a leading brand in the US and international markets.
2011’s full slate of M-1 Challenge events held in the United States and Europe are primed to be mega-event spectaculars where Champions defend their titles and contenders jockey for position for a coveted shot at the gold. Feeding the contention system will be two Selection tournaments in 2011 with details being announced shortly.
Returning to US soil for 2011’s sophomore event, current lightweight champ, Artiom Damkovsky is gearing for his first title defense against 2010 M-1 Selection Americas winner, Jose Figueroa, at M-1 Challenge XXIV on Friday March 25th from the Constant Center in Norfolk, Virginia.
Just as a side note to both of these interviews, Saturday night’s Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva event tentatively drew a total of 11,287 fans to the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jerse. During the post fight press conference Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker noted that he was pleased with the numbers and said the […]
Just as a side note to both of these interviews, Saturday night’s Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva event tentatively drew a total of 11,287 fans to the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jerse. During the post fight press conference Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker noted that he was pleased with the numbers and said the promotion would return to East Rutherford soon.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker offers his thoughts on Saturday’s show and offers his belief that Fedor Emelianenko will fight again. He hints that maybe fans will see him fight the loser of the upcoming Fabricio Werdum vs. Alistair Overeem bout later this summer.
M-1 Global’s director of operations Evgeni Kogan discusses the mood in the locker room following Fedor Emelianenko’s loss to “Bigfoot” Silva. He says the stoppage was “just,” what could be next for Fedor and how the loss will affect M-1.
That was the response of UFC President Dana White to the loss of iconic mixed martial artist Fedor Emelianenko on Saturday night.
Fedor, who headlined Saturday’s Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva event against Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva wound up losing via TKO doctors stoppage after brutal ground-and-pound left his right eye swollen shut at the end of the […]
That was the response of UFC President Dana White to the loss of iconic mixed martial artist Fedor Emelianenko on Saturday night.
Fedor, who headlined Saturday’s Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva event against Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva wound up losing via TKO doctors stoppage after brutal ground-and-pound left his right eye swollen shut at the end of the second round.
White, who had tried to sign the Russian, has often named Fedor’s manager Vadim Finkelstein of M-1 Global, as one of the major roadblocks.
After the loss White Tweeted (@danawhite) that message plus several more as he traded barb with fans over Fedor’s loss.
Here are a few more of the UFC President’s Tweets from Saturday night.
– wtf has he done for the sport!? Ur fuckin nuts
– all the fedor nut huggers were so excited for 2 nites set up fight. Didn’t work out and they are BUMMED!!b
– he was INCREDIBLY mismanaged!! Worst management in fight history
– the media here in america has embarrassed themselves over the past couple years with the fedor BS
Get your latest Fedor Emelianenko paraphernalia at Clinchgear.com with the ‘Fedor Collection’ who have come out with a whole new series for “The Last Emporer’s” latest fight as part of Strikeforce’s Heavyweight World Grand Prix tournament. This particular T-shirt is $32.95 and sports his line from last summers loss to Fabricio Werdum, “The one […]
Get your latest Fedor Emelianenko paraphernalia at Clinchgear.com with the ‘Fedor Collection’ who have come out with a whole new series for “The Last Emporer’s” latest fight as part of Strikeforce’s Heavyweight World Grand Prix tournament. This particular T-shirt is $32.95 and sports his line from last summers loss to Fabricio Werdum, “The one who doesn’t fall doesn’t stand up.”
