New York failed to please the Russian fans of mixed martial arts over the weekend. Matt Mitrione, alas, knocked out Fedor Emelianenko. What's next? Perhaps revenge. Well, or perhaps a little trip behind the scenes of the Bellator tournament, after which the American fighter asked "the Last Emperor" for an autograph and an opportunity to train with him in Russia. police escorted Fedor outside of his locker room due to his large number of fans. All this described by a member of Fedor's team — Edgard Zapashny.
By the time of my arrival Fedor was in new York for a week, along with his team. He had already trained for the battle, and in regards to entertainment and leisure time, he was very quiet. But to my surprise, he offered to show me times square. When we went into town, I realized that Emelianenko is very popular in America. People just kept coming towards him! We were sometimes approached by people from different countries. He was especially respected by the Japanese and the Koreans. Fedor handed out a lot of autographs and he never refused fans to take pictures with him. The next morning I was with him in training: he warmed up, ran, and worked with Peter Caisse on the feet. I saw that he is in great shape, good physical condition and had no injuries.
- How was the atmosphere in New York, could you feel that such an event is coming up?
- No. Of course, all the tickets were sold out a week ago already but I just saw the commercial a couple of times. The city was not fixated on the tournament.
- How many people were in favor of Fedor in the stadium?
- He had a huge following. I still find myself thinking: was there someone on Mitrione's side? He entered the stadium alone, he walked alone, nobody followed him. After the battle he returned to the cage and was standing there, talking with someone. Around him there was no public excitement. Unlike Fedor. In the locker room even Emelianenko was assigned two police officers so that people would not go inside. The police escorted us all the way to the hotel.
View: https://twitter.com/from_safonov/status/878802401762979840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mk.ru%2Fsport%2F2017%2F06%2F28%2Fmitrion-khochet-trenirovatsya-v-rossii-zapashnyy-o-zakulise-boya-emelyanenko.html
- What happened during the day of battle?
- Fedor did not leave the hotel. He had dreakfast in the morning and that was all, he didn't even have lunch. The bout was scheduled for 11 p.m. local time. I asked him if he was so comfortable. He said that he wants to be light and everything is fine. We had dinner only 2 or 3 nights.
- How was it to be in his corner? Noticed something for yourself?
- I did notice soething. That Fedor in his corner needs only people that he will not interfere. He figures out everything by himself. Now they will allegedly write, "who are these people in the corner Emelianenko"... for some reason they didn't see that the coaching staff of the Netherlands was just as well there.
- What occured during the fight among his cornermen?
- Fedor's friend – Denis – noticed the timing and talked about it every 30 seconds, and Peter suggested Fedor, primarily, to keep his hands raised. Denis translated it all in Russian.
- What were your thoughts, when both fighters fell on the canvas?
First thought: that will be a mutual knockout. Second: as for rocky Balboa, both will crawl to the ropes, only to rise rapidly. Then, in slow motion, both began to rise. But apparently, the attack on Fedor was a bit harder... I am sure that Emelianenko himself has caused more damage to himself than it was caused by Mitrione. He was so invested in his shot that he stumbled on his fist. This is my amateur opinion.
- What happened next? How many people ran towards Fedor and examined him?
The doctors examined him three times. In the cage, then they took him behind the scenes, there was also an ambulance waiting. He was checked for 5-7 minutes, and Mitrione was in the next tent, he was likewise examined. Then in the locker room came two different doctors. They gave instructions to take a closer during the night, but as for Fedor it was clear that he had a concussion.
- What did Fedor say in the locker room?
- He watched the fight five times and said "I am sorry." I think, he immediately made the decision that he wants a rematch. We said nothing to him, and none of us dared to ask him what will happen. He kept everything to himself until the press conference. And I was pleased to hear his answer regarding the possibility of retirement, I didn't want to hear something like that. Because he would be able to return to the ring at least ten minutes after the incident.
- And after that did he designate a date, that he would desire to make his return?
- First of all, he's just eager to fight. In his understanding, in fact, there was no actual fight. There was just a rapid coincidence. He told me: "Edgard, I saw all these attacks". Then Mitrione told me that Emelianenko is a very intelligent athlete, he reads a fight beautifully, feels the distance and does not do anything that is unecessary. Moreover, after all, Matt walked up to Fedor and they talked for about five minutes. It turned out he wished to train with him and he would be willing to travel to Russia to do that.
And what Fedor said?
I do not know. Even if I knew I should not have said.
View: https://twitter.com/from_safonov/status/880023965653245952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mk.ru%2Fsport%2F2017%2F06%2F28%2Fmitrion-khochet-trenirovatsya-v-rossii-zapashnyy-o-zakulise-boya-emelyanenko.html
- All imbued with Mitrione? He looks like a good guy.
- I immediately liked him. He treated Fedor with great respect and it was a great honor to go against Emelianenko. After the fight, we were sitting in the dressing room, not talking, Fedor was in the shower. Suddenly the door opens and in walks Mitrion. Begins to explore the room and look for Emelianenko. In one hand glove, the other with a bandage. Then he said, "Guys, if I have at least some chance that Fedor will leave an autograph?". It sounded so ridiculous, in a good way... I took his bandages, expressed respect for all, and then he suffered! Started to tell how it was great to meet with Emelianenko, was very impressed. Then Fedor was signed.
Is the atmosphere in which was dinner?
Fedor was depressed in only one, as for me: it seemed to him that he offended his fans. Everyone was convinced that Emelianenko was going to win. But he was not dead or depressed.
- Bellator President Scott Coker said something personally about what happened and the future?
He and Fedor had dinner after the tournament. Part of the know what was the conversation, and Emelianenko returned after him happy.
- What was the next day and before leaving?
He rose very early, at 7 o'clock in the morning, and we went to town, he bought a lot of things for their newborn daughter. Now Fedor will make the decision where to go. Bellator is interested in the continuation of the contract, as I understand it...
I have corrected half of the translation. Busy right now, will correct the rest later. Original Russian version here: "Митрион хочет тренироваться в России": Запашный о закулисье боя Емельяненко
By the time of my arrival Fedor was in new York for a week, along with his team. He had already trained for the battle, and in regards to entertainment and leisure time, he was very quiet. But to my surprise, he offered to show me times square. When we went into town, I realized that Emelianenko is very popular in America. People just kept coming towards him! We were sometimes approached by people from different countries. He was especially respected by the Japanese and the Koreans. Fedor handed out a lot of autographs and he never refused fans to take pictures with him. The next morning I was with him in training: he warmed up, ran, and worked with Peter Caisse on the feet. I saw that he is in great shape, good physical condition and had no injuries.
- How was the atmosphere in New York, could you feel that such an event is coming up?
- No. Of course, all the tickets were sold out a week ago already but I just saw the commercial a couple of times. The city was not fixated on the tournament.
- How many people were in favor of Fedor in the stadium?
- He had a huge following. I still find myself thinking: was there someone on Mitrione's side? He entered the stadium alone, he walked alone, nobody followed him. After the battle he returned to the cage and was standing there, talking with someone. Around him there was no public excitement. Unlike Fedor. In the locker room even Emelianenko was assigned two police officers so that people would not go inside. The police escorted us all the way to the hotel.
View: https://twitter.com/from_safonov/status/878802401762979840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mk.ru%2Fsport%2F2017%2F06%2F28%2Fmitrion-khochet-trenirovatsya-v-rossii-zapashnyy-o-zakulise-boya-emelyanenko.html
- What happened during the day of battle?
- Fedor did not leave the hotel. He had dreakfast in the morning and that was all, he didn't even have lunch. The bout was scheduled for 11 p.m. local time. I asked him if he was so comfortable. He said that he wants to be light and everything is fine. We had dinner only 2 or 3 nights.
- How was it to be in his corner? Noticed something for yourself?
- I did notice soething. That Fedor in his corner needs only people that he will not interfere. He figures out everything by himself. Now they will allegedly write, "who are these people in the corner Emelianenko"... for some reason they didn't see that the coaching staff of the Netherlands was just as well there.
- What occured during the fight among his cornermen?
- Fedor's friend – Denis – noticed the timing and talked about it every 30 seconds, and Peter suggested Fedor, primarily, to keep his hands raised. Denis translated it all in Russian.
- What were your thoughts, when both fighters fell on the canvas?
First thought: that will be a mutual knockout. Second: as for rocky Balboa, both will crawl to the ropes, only to rise rapidly. Then, in slow motion, both began to rise. But apparently, the attack on Fedor was a bit harder... I am sure that Emelianenko himself has caused more damage to himself than it was caused by Mitrione. He was so invested in his shot that he stumbled on his fist. This is my amateur opinion.
- What happened next? How many people ran towards Fedor and examined him?
The doctors examined him three times. In the cage, then they took him behind the scenes, there was also an ambulance waiting. He was checked for 5-7 minutes, and Mitrione was in the next tent, he was likewise examined. Then in the locker room came two different doctors. They gave instructions to take a closer during the night, but as for Fedor it was clear that he had a concussion.
- What did Fedor say in the locker room?
- He watched the fight five times and said "I am sorry." I think, he immediately made the decision that he wants a rematch. We said nothing to him, and none of us dared to ask him what will happen. He kept everything to himself until the press conference. And I was pleased to hear his answer regarding the possibility of retirement, I didn't want to hear something like that. Because he would be able to return to the ring at least ten minutes after the incident.
- And after that did he designate a date, that he would desire to make his return?
- First of all, he's just eager to fight. In his understanding, in fact, there was no actual fight. There was just a rapid coincidence. He told me: "Edgard, I saw all these attacks". Then Mitrione told me that Emelianenko is a very intelligent athlete, he reads a fight beautifully, feels the distance and does not do anything that is unecessary. Moreover, after all, Matt walked up to Fedor and they talked for about five minutes. It turned out he wished to train with him and he would be willing to travel to Russia to do that.
And what Fedor said?
I do not know. Even if I knew I should not have said.
View: https://twitter.com/from_safonov/status/880023965653245952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mk.ru%2Fsport%2F2017%2F06%2F28%2Fmitrion-khochet-trenirovatsya-v-rossii-zapashnyy-o-zakulise-boya-emelyanenko.html
- All imbued with Mitrione? He looks like a good guy.
- I immediately liked him. He treated Fedor with great respect and it was a great honor to go against Emelianenko. After the fight, we were sitting in the dressing room, not talking, Fedor was in the shower. Suddenly the door opens and in walks Mitrion. Begins to explore the room and look for Emelianenko. In one hand glove, the other with a bandage. Then he said, "Guys, if I have at least some chance that Fedor will leave an autograph?". It sounded so ridiculous, in a good way... I took his bandages, expressed respect for all, and then he suffered! Started to tell how it was great to meet with Emelianenko, was very impressed. Then Fedor was signed.
Is the atmosphere in which was dinner?
Fedor was depressed in only one, as for me: it seemed to him that he offended his fans. Everyone was convinced that Emelianenko was going to win. But he was not dead or depressed.
- Bellator President Scott Coker said something personally about what happened and the future?
He and Fedor had dinner after the tournament. Part of the know what was the conversation, and Emelianenko returned after him happy.
- What was the next day and before leaving?
He rose very early, at 7 o'clock in the morning, and we went to town, he bought a lot of things for their newborn daughter. Now Fedor will make the decision where to go. Bellator is interested in the continuation of the contract, as I understand it...
I have corrected half of the translation. Busy right now, will correct the rest later. Original Russian version here: "Митрион хочет тренироваться в России": Запашный о закулисье боя Емельяненко
