"I wanted to finish the fight with Werdum early and I made a mistake. I have moved past this and have been training hard. I can't wait to fight again. Silva is a great fighter. My training camp has been very strong...I look forward to competing February 12th against Antonio Silva. He is a great athlete. This will be an exciting fight," stated Strikeforce heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko as he talked about his upcoming February 12 clash with Antonio Silva, the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament and much more. Check it out!
PC: It's an honor to have you on the website. How are you doing Fedor?
FE: Thank you. I am doing very well.
PC: This is a different feel for you to be coming back off of a loss. How have you been dealing with the loss to Fabricio Werdum and how are you approaching the fight against Antonio Silva?
FE: I wanted to finish the fight with Werdum early and I made a mistake. I have moved past this and have been training hard. I can't wait to fight again. Silva is a great fighter. My training camp has been very strong.
PC: For many years, people looked at you as invincible and unbeatable, while you told everyone that any fighter can lose on any given day. Was it kind of a weight off of your shoulders to take a loss?
FE: No. I did not feel I had weight on my shoulders. MMA is a sport and any time you compete, one person will win and one person will not. All I can do is prepare my best and everything is God's will.
PC: I personally love this heavyweight tournament that Strikeforce is doing. It reminds me of the old school Grand Prix days of Pride. Does it help you mentally to know the challenges that you will face in this tournament as opposed to just having an opponent named?
FE: I approach each fight the same. I take things one fight at a time and prepare my best.
PC: What do you feel Silva's strengths are heading into your fight with him?
FE: Silva has proven to be a very worthy opponent, who is skilled in many areas.
PC: Obviously this tournament is built around some very good heavyweights: Overeem, Werdum, Kharitonov and yourself. Do you feel like whoever walks away from this tournament victorious is the best heavyweight in the world?
FE: It is not for me to say who is the best. That is something left to the media.
PC: After enjoying so much success in your career as a fighter, what keeps you motivated to continue to fight at such a high level?
FE: I enjoy the competition of sport very much. This is what motivates me and I will continue to compete for as long as my health and God allows me to.
PC: You seem to be perfectly content with never stepping foot inside of the UFC or fighting guys like Lesnar and Cain. Are you done with that as far as entering negotiations with them and things like that?
FE: My management has worked hard to secure my new contract with Strikeforce and Showtime and I am happy with this relationship. I look forward to getting back in the cage and performing to my highest level.
PC: I appreciate your time. I look forward to your fight against Silva. Is there anything else you would like to say in closing?
FE: Thank you to my fans. I look forward to competing February 12th against Antonio Silva. He is a great athlete. This will be an exciting fight.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]