Another Fedor's post-fight interview (Japanese Yahoo)

Another Fedor's post-fight interview by the Japanese Yahoo (translation taken from here).

Q: Happy New Year, Fedor! I imagine that you've started 2008 feeling good.
Fedor Emelianenko: Yes. I'm feeling very good (smile)

Q: After your fight yesterday, it looked like you were more delighted than usual. Was this a special victory for you?
Fedor Emelianenko: It was. Actually, friends of mine came all the way from Russia to support me. During the fight I heard them cheering, so that probably explains my facial expression.

Q: Were there any particular reasons why your friends came to Japan to watch you fight this time?
Fedor Emelianenko: It wasn't really that I invited them. They said they wanted to come.

Q: I see. They wanted to see you fight in Japan at least once.
Fedor Emelianenko: I think so. They had never been to Japan before. I think watching the fights live in person got their adrenaline going.

Q: I think it was their first time to see you greeted by the fans with such a warm welcome in such a huge arena. Did they mention their thoughts after the fight?
Fedor Emelianenko: They were surprised to see such a large crowd cheering and felt a sense of pride. (smile)

Q: It seemed that you received louder cheers this time than usual. Did you sense that?
Fedor Emelianenko: Yes I felt it. That kind of support and that kind of arena atmosphere - that's why I came back to Japan. It makes me happy.

Q: So, as long as that kind of support is there, will you continue to fight in Japan?
Fedor Emelianenko: Certainly. (smile)

Q: Can you give us your impressions on the fight with Hong Man Choi?
Fedor Emelianenko: He's such a huge and powerful fighter. He's the biggest and strongest fighter I've ever faced. In that sense, I couldn't match up with him in the strength department so I was taken down. But I was confident that I could win with technique, and was able to beat him with a joint lock.

Q: So was Choi stronger than you expected?
Fedor Emelianenko: No I wouldn't say more than I expected. Before the fight, I calmly analyze the opponent so I never underestimate him. Because of that I almost never get surprised or panic. But when I went to take him down, I was surprised when he went for the takedown himself. I thought he would keep it standing.

Q: I was surprised to see you get taken down twice.
Fedor Emelianenko: But if the ropes weren't there on the second takedown, I would have taken him down. He was leaning against the rope to defend the takedown.

Q: What did you think of Choi's ground and pound? You didn't get hit much but your face is a bit swollen.
Fedor Emelianenko: My face isn't swollen from the punches. It's from my face rubbing the canvas.

Q: So he particularly didn't have any effective offense...
Fedor Emelianenko: No he didn't. Like I said before, he is huge and powerful and was a difficult opponent. But he didn't have an effective attack.

Q: When you got him in an armbar the first time, was he able to escape because his arms are so long that you couldn't get the leverage?
Fedor Emelianenko: Actually, the first armbar was in deep. I heard his arm pop a couple of times. But when he lifted me, my position changed a bit and lost the angle. I didn't think I could finish him and didn't want to use any unnecessary energy so I let go. I didn't want to make the same mistake the second time, so I made sure it (armbar) was tight.