Emelianenko: Khabib took the place that was worthy for a long time

The legendary Russian fighter Fedor Emelianenko gave an exclusive interview to "SE" before the fight with Frank Mir. The Russian and the American will fight on the night of Saturday. And on Thursday they had a day of communication with the press.

- The last camp before the fight you spent in Holland. Why not in the US, where you can find a lot of high-end sparring partners?

- In Holland I already have a good team - the coaching staff, the fighters who help me there. I'm comfortable there. Although, of course, I feel best at home. But in Russia, due to the popularity of MMA, there are certain difficulties in the preparation. Therefore, I gathered a team and went to Holland.

- There were no thoughts to conduct the training in the US?

- Invite me, and I will go with great pleasure. But to train constantly - no.

- Your rival Frank Mir is a jiu-jitsu master. Will you try to work with him in the stance?

- We'll see (smiles). In the course of the battle we will seen.

- On one of the photos in the instagram you have a knee bandaged. Was there a trauma?

- It's nothing. Nothing serious. It's all over.

- Can you say that you are completely accustomed to the cage? You in fact used to be less comfortable in it than in the ring.

- I feel good in the cage. I play in it even more than in the ring.

- But you yourself feel that you have become a different fighter than there were 10 years ago?

- I feel that I'm not getting any younger. But I'm getting more experienced (smiles).

- Mir called you a wonderful person. But at the same time he said that he was annoyed with how you behave towards the press - they say, you do not talk much.

- I do not know what to say. I am asked questions, I answer them.

- Could anything make you talk trash about a rival?

- You know, people need to be treated the way you want them to treat you. I do not want people to say negative things to me, or anyone else. Therefore, I try to suppress the negative and treat others with respect and love.

- How do you feel about the popularity of Khabib Nurmagomedov? Do you see him as your successor as the main Russian star of the MMA?

- I'm very kind to Khabib. I'm glad that he became the champion of the UFC and took the place that had long been worthy. I hope that he will confirm his status, and will help young fighters, share his experience.