CHICAGO -- Fedor Emelianenko-mania officially hit the Chicago-area on Wednesday, as the consensus best heavyweight in MMA met the media just days before his Strikeforce and CBS debut on Saturday night. Meanwhile, his opponent, Brett Rogers, was in Bristol, Conn., doing the ESPN media rounds, and telling anyone who would listen that he is going to shock the world this weekend.FanHouse spoke to Emelianenko about Rogers' confidence heading into their fight and how he is dealing with all the attention he has received in the weeks leading up to this event. Check out the video interview below.
Shot and edited for FanHouse by E. Casey Leydon.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-04-2009 @ 11:34PM
exp said...
Forget Rogers. Marcus will beat Fedor. Trust me! I also think Marcus will cause the first death in MMA.
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11-04-2009 @ 11:39PM
xFenixKnightx said...
Great interview, Helwani, but damn that douchebag in the back screws it up. You should have blurred his loser ass out. lol
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11-05-2009 @ 12:16AM
piprocks666 said...
hey exp, was that you in the back?? dork!!
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11-05-2009 @ 12:45AM
exp said...
that's an illegal alien, you racist. Besides, if you ever see me behind Fedor it will be with a baseball bat.
11-05-2009 @ 7:40AM
Eric said...
exp - you want to get behind Fedor with a "baseball bat", huh?? Now I get it ... you're overcompensating! Sorry, but Fedor doesn't "swing" that way.
Find a different way to express your homoerotic fantasies, and oh yea - get lost.
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11-05-2009 @ 8:05AM
exp said...
So you got homophobia and are racist at the same time? haha. I am sorry but I use baseball bat to beat people with it, and not the way you thought. Of course, you are clearly a child.
Hate speech bill is coming and you'll be in jail in no time for hating on gays and those who are not white.
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11-05-2009 @ 2:57PM
johnnynumber5 said...
Come on man you just said you wanted to smash in his brains with a bat and all you ever do is slander people. You called me all sorts of untrue slanderous names. You'd be one of the first people to get sentenced. Then, you'd be lap dancing inmates for a butterfinger.
You get back what you put in and all you do slander and ridicule everyone with a different opinion... And troll Fedor.
11-05-2009 @ 8:10AM
rumorroundtown said...
haha.. exp.. whatta 'turd. he's a troller who likes to go through anything in fanhouse about fedor.. hey troll.. i see you!
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11-05-2009 @ 8:24AM
exp said...
So one thing that i have realized from being on these boards is:
Most Fedor fans are:
1. Racist
2. Sexist
3. Homophobic
4. Totally disrespectful towards people who are handicapped.
5. Bullies.
That's OK. I think everybody is entitled to their opinion. You guys can spread the hate while you can. I m sure glad that there will be rules protecting people who need protection from your cyber bullies. I personally don't give a sneeze about you hating anyone who challenges your way of thinking.
11-05-2009 @ 8:36AM
M13 said...
Wow guys. Can't we all just get along?
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11-05-2009 @ 2:19PM
neyvit said...
Fedor has no fear. Fear has Fedor.
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11-05-2009 @ 2:52PM
johnnynumber5 said...
It's pretty hard not to like Fedor as a person. He's so humble and personable that you wouldn't think he fights for a living. Say what you will about his handlers at M-1 but Fedor himself is very honorable and respectful. I wish his detractors could show similar classand bash the guy 24/7. It's not like he goes around saying he is the best fighter or that he will win by knockout. He gives praise to God and says only nice things.
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11-05-2009 @ 3:05PM
exp said...
I am sorry I have to say this, but Fedor is a jack*** and communist. He doesn't like Neil Armstrong. He doesn't like Rocky. He didn't think he was losing to Arlovski, he thinks he deserves much more money yet he settles with less with StrikeForce. He thinks M1 is as big as the UFC. He is protected by his people at all times even during exhibitions. He wears a shirt which says Fedor is No.1
Listen. Somebody asked me if it was me behind Fedor, and I said it wouldn't be me because I couldn't care less about this guy. But you people come in here and start talking about racist and sexist topics. I don't care for Fedor. Fedor is cocky. If you can't see that, you are blind. He reminds me of Roger Federer. They are both oh so humble, right?
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11-05-2009 @ 5:53PM
johnnynumber5 said...
The Arlivski fight was 2 minutes old before he knocked him out. It's hard to argue who was winning after less than half a round! Look, Machida said he won all 5 rounds against Rua and even a blindman can see that wasn't true. Why aren't you feigning outrage toward him?
The truth is you hate Fedor because he's Russian. Your nationalistic furver and xenophobic outlook clouds your judgement. Fedor is a lot of things but cocky isn't one of them. GSP is a cocky mofo, Rampage & Rashad are cocky and Lesnar is the epitome of cocky. Fedor, Spider Silva, Machida, Fitch, Mike Brown and guys like them aren't cocky in the least bit.
What's with saying "you people" as well? You need to stop putting labels on everyone that sees things differently. It's unbecoming of a grown man to act that way.
Listen to what Fedor says in all his interviews. He says he's not the best fighter in the world, praises his opponents, praises God, still lives in his home town in a little apartment etc etc. He doesn't even talk about Dana who called him every name in the book. He just says business is business and harbors no ill will. Can you really blame him for capitalizing on his standing and not signing with the UFC. He's just playing the game like anyone else. Besides, we don't know the terms of the SF deal or the UFC offer as neither was disclosed. His sticking point was co-promotion. SF did it and UFC didn't. I don't blame the UFC for not doing it and I don't blame Fedor for not taking it. It's business and it will happen eventually. Dana keeps chasing and isn't ahead of the negotiations. It's no ones fault it just is what it is.
Dana isn't making many friends lately anyway. Look at all the smack he's talked about Machida, Spider Silva, Henderson and Jackson. These guys are getting tired of his rouse. Would YOU rather work for Dana White or work with Scott Coker. It's like choosing between being a slave to a master or a partner to an associate.
Not everyone can be bought.
11-05-2009 @ 6:23PM
exp said...
What's wrong with the phrase "you people?" :) He hates Rocky! Why? Because Rocky beat Fedor's hero Drago even though Drago was on steroids. Fedor seems awfully cocky to me. I am sorry you don't feel that way.
I am the least nationalistic person you can find. I don't care who and where these people are, the last thing that comes to my mind is their country and whatever. Fedor just rubs me the wrong way. Bisping, Rashad Evans, and Carwin do as well. I don't like Lesnar because he is a homophobe.
11-05-2009 @ 6:50PM
johnnynumber5 said...
Thats fair enough it just seems that way because you always say he is a communist and russian mafia this and that. Lesnar being homophobic doesn't bother me per se (I mean if he is afraid of homosexuals thats just silly as they are people like everyone else) it's more his mannerisms and maniac behavior that rubs me the wrong way. It's hard for me to be a fan of someone like that. I've been in martial arts damn near my entire life and one of the things I respect about most MMA fighters is that even if they talk smack and hype the fight before hand they can usually give each other a hug afterwards and have a common respect. From what I saw when Lesnar beat Mir and starting taunting him afterwards he is the exact opposite of what fighting and martial arts is about ... discipline and respect. Thats why I don't like Lesnar. He got in the face and taunted a man he had already beaten down in competition.
Who cares if he hates Rocky? lol. It's a fictional movie ... for what it's worth I liked Apollo Creed better when I was a kid. You don't need to feel sorry that I don't think Fedor is cocky because it's my opinion. I just don't see where you can say what makes him cocky.
It's true that there are just some people that no matter what they do will rub you the wrong way. It's just something about human nature. If thats what it is thats fine but I don't think it's fair to call him cocky. He is so modest and really the opposite of cocky. Thats why I said it seems you hate the guy because he is Russian. It just seemed like thats what you have against him ... not a big deal though.
11-06-2009 @ 10:17AM
exp said...
To be honest, Fedor is not on the top of my list. I like to smash Rashad's face real bad. He is so fake. Unfortunately, I am not a fighter so that's not going to happen. Lesnar being afraid of gays might lead hollywood to make a sequel to the movie 4th kind called 6th kind when gays take over the world and big bad Brock is our last chance. No. I think hate is a strong word for me. Let's say Lesnar is not a guy that I would hang out with. Anyone who is sexist, racist, homophobic, or in any way discriminates is not my type of person.
I actually have a lot of Russian friends but Fedor sounds holier than thou. He talks about not wanting to be a slave to the UFC but he is a slave to the Russian government. It's just not him. Putin and his gang have so much control over everything in Russia. Fedor sounds like a guy that is upset about everything American (I don't blame him) but he wouldn't mind if Russia was doing the same things.
As a country, I won't respect Russia as it has its hand in genocide in the middle east. Once we put Cheney in jail, maybe we could put Putin and Blair on trial as well.
11-05-2009 @ 9:31PM
josh said...
How can you guys say that about Fedor, look at Lesnar. If you guys can sit here and bash Fedor for being cocky, then you CLEARLY have never watched an interview with Lesnar. Fedor is one of the most humble fighters I've seen in a long time.
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11-05-2009 @ 10:29PM
lannahc22 said...
Exp your damn right your not a fighter if you were you would learn to appreciate just how good Fedor really is. But hey if you want to learn to be a fighter we can go down to where I train and they can shut the door behind us and Ill show you everything you need to know...
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11-07-2009 @ 1:36AM
Paul said...
I started taking TaeKwon Do as an adjunct to weight training some 20 years ago. I was a top bodybuilder in my day (late 1970's to mid-80's and then a natural career until 1992). Martial arts people are much more humble and spiritual than bodybuilders as a general analysis and subjective perspective. I know that everyone is unique, but as far as where I had my integrity tested more was with bodybuilders. Not all are bad, just a small percentage. Having said that, almost all of the people in MMA are humble and Fedor reminds me very much of a spiritual Native American Shaman whom I know from AZ, for over 23 years now. Fedor is probably as spiritual of a man that one can encounter outside of the Native American people (and other aboriginal peoples who still partake in ancient spiritual rituals). As with any fighter, he has his confidence, but that cannot be confused with his utter reverence for a god (in a country that all but took religion away at one time) and he is the consummate family man---he is loyal and kind to his elders and he is loving and compassionate to his brothers, friends and family. I have watched MMA since Royce Gracie won the first UFC. I have been watching Fedor for the past eight years. He is the most mentally powerful human being that I have ever been near. There is something very unique about him and the only other time that I had this same feeling is when I met Arnold when I was just 18 years old. Arnold was superior in his sport as has been Fedor. Fedor is much more humble and much more an "in the moment humna being." Arnold lives for the moment for sure; however, he is always trying to climb higher mountains. Whenever Fedor is interviewed, he speaks of what is important to him and his friends, family, and god are always mentioned with great humility as his priorities. I am not religious in the sense of going to church; however, I am deeply spiritual and that is something that life teaches you if you are open to it. Fedor is still a young man, but spiritually he is as old as a rock--he oozes a type of inner peace not often seen in today's world.
I am looking forward to the fight. Brett Rogers is a compelling story, growing up in the toughest part of Chicago (which is no longer there) he has had to overcome great odds and obstacles to be where he is today. I admire him greatly. He has a very good chance against Fedor. Having said that, win or lose, Fedor's spiritual calmness will not go away, nor will his amazing MMA record. He and Rogers are both worthy of the attention and the acclaim that they are both receiving. I sincerely hope that people on this board who are in constant banter over Fedor and what he is and what he isn't, look at the whole person to learn from as well as be entertained by. Johnnynumber5 is a very intelligent blogger and knows a lot about the entire sport of MMA. I oten read what Johnny posts and usually agree. For those of you who are constantly fighting from behind a screen made of plastic; it is easy to pick on others and try to destroy people's credibilty who have chosen MMA as a life (the actual fighters). They walk into that cage (or ring) and literally lay their life on the line for us to watch. I have such great respect for the sport and these two men in the main event of this fight (as well as all fighters in MMA). I would never be so bold or so audacious as to rip one of these men to pieces from behind an anonymous screen. It is not often that men of Fedor's and Roger's caliber and intergrity allows us into their private life. I think we all owe them thanks and gratitude and not mockery and hatred. Just my humble opinion.
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