Interview with Fedor Emelianenko in Saitama (thanks flyinpig for translating).
----- How is your conditioning?
Fedor Emelianenko: I think it's good.
----- Did you study Hong Man Choi?
Fedor Emelianenko: I watched videos of his fights and game-planned with my trainer.
----- Do you have any special strategy to deal with the tall Hong Man Choi?
Fedor Emelianenko: My strategy is the same as usual. Strike him, put him down on the mat, and knock him out. That's all.
----- Do you have confidence to knock him down in a stand-up war?
Fedor Emelianenko: Won't know until I try. I can't say that I have confidence.
----- It sounds like you trained intensively on low kicks.
Fedor Emelianenko: No, I trained various things. Perhaps I just happened to be working on low kicks when that Japanese journalist visited my training session.
----- You said you watched video of Hong Man Choi. What is your impression of him?
Fedor Emelianenko: Of course he's quite big, he's good with punches and knees, and he's gotten plenty of knockdowns. I think he's one of the better MMA fighters.
----- Did you spar with tall fighters to simulate Choi's height?
Fedor Emelianenko: As you might expect, there aren't many fighters as large as him.. But I did ask my sparring partners to mimic Choi's skills.
----- What kind of fight would you like to display?
Fedor Emelianenko: I would like to show some new things, the same as every time I fight. The most important thing is to give it everything I've got and make sure the fans are happy.
----- For this fight, knee strikes in a 4-point stance will be illegal. What do you think about that?
Fedor Emelianenko: I don't think there's any problem.
----- Stand-up or ground? Which way is easier to beat Hong Man Choi?
Fedor Emelianenko: I'll make that decision in the first few minutes of the fight. Right now I can't really say.
----- Do you think Choi has any secret plan?
Fedor Emelianenko: Many of the fighter's I've faced up until now also said that kind of thing, so there isn't much to be surprised about. By all means I'd like to see if such secret plan can be worked against me in a fight.
----- You have experience fighting a very tall fighter in Semmy Schilt. Does that fight serve as any reference for the Choi fight in any way?
Fedor Emelianenko: Allow me to answer that question after the fight is over (laughter)
----- Do you have any message for all the fans out there looking forward to your fight?
Fedor Emelianenko: Have a happy new year, everyone. And on New Year's Eve at Saitama Super Anena please cheer for me. I'm always thankful for your support. Thank you.
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