Pre-OWGP Fighter Interviews

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I will update this as the translations are finished, thanks a whole hell of alot to Tensei:

SERGEI KHARITONOV





- It’ll be my first Pride fight in a while, but my condition is fine. In the Alistair fight I didn’t pay enough attention while I was falling and I ended up dislocating my right shoulder. I didn’t even realize I was hurt, I was fighting with the intent to fight to the end. We will fight to the end no matter what, that’s a Russian fighter.

- Fans probably didn’t expect for me to lose, I didn’t predict it either. But in a big Pride match, anything can happen.

- The healing period for my right shoulder was extremely long, I couldn’t do anything over the summer. I had on a cast the whole time, I was receiving various treatments like massages so that’s the reason it took so long to recover.

- I was thinking about a lot of things during the recovery period, especially about how anything can happen in life. You have people like me who get injured in a sport event, and then you also have people who get into an accident and get badly injured or lose a limb. That’s what I was thinking about. I’m Russian, and I believe that Russians are strong. It was my decision to start fighting, so I was thinking about how I wouldn’t give up and keep fighting til the end.

- After recovering, I did various types of training. I did some farming in the Ex-Soviet farm called Clehov (sp). For example I cut down weeds and dug potatoes. Maybe it might be strange to incorporate these things into training, but it was effective for healing my muscles and strengthening my joints. I believe that fresh air, good food, living with nature has helped my body become tougher. I think I recovered in that sense as well.

- Isn’t it funny? From the word “training” you would normally expect me lifting weights, sparring, and in general have a more serious sounding training regimen, but this time I was focusing on farming. Rather than lifting weights, I trained with shovels in my hand.

- My impression of Aleksander in this fight, well we’re both athletes. In the past we were in the same team, but I didn’t train with him for a long time and I didn’t really pay attention to his movements. I don’t think I’ll know anything until I actually fight him. Groundwork or standing, I have no problems with either. I just come out and fight.

- I do feel strongly that this fight will take me closer to the Fedor match, and I have a strong desire to win. I want to consider my next move after looking at the results. I think this fight is everything. I finally returned to the ring. I want to have a fight that everyone can enjoy. Please believe in me. I look forward to everyone’s cheers. Thanks.

ALEKSANDER EMELIANENKO





- My condition is good right now. Last fight, I caught the flu before the fight and I had high fever. So my stamina ran out, and I think that was the reason I lost. I wasn’t lacking in a skills sense, if I was in good condition then I think I would’ve been able to pound Josh more.

- I trained with Kharitonov before. But I didn’t have any special impression of him while we were on the same team. I think he’s a good fighter in terms of skills and experience. I don’t especially have any special feelings about fighting a past team mate. I think this fight is the same as any fight, and my opponent is the same as any opponent I fight.

- I don’t fear any techniques he will try on me on the ground or standing. I am doing the type of training that prepares me for any attack from any fighter. In this fight I want to keep going forward. I won’t have any problems whether Sergei will go for the stand up for the ground game. I never had a sambo match with Sergei so I’m not aware of the level of his sambo technique as a sambist.

- This is a reserve match, but I am glad to be able to return to the GP. I trained a lot and I hope I can substitute in for somebody else. I’m not hoping of course for one of the four fighters to get seriously injured.

- Prediction for the GP winner? It’s hard to determine. I personally interacted with all four fighters and I know what their strengths are as well. Let’s see…Whoever trained the most preparing for this GP will win maybe? We’ll never know til the end. I think this event will be exciting from start to finish. I will strive to do a good fight as well. I’d like to ask for all the fans’ support.

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JOSH BARNETT





- It’s my best condition ever. Maybe I’m saying the same thing over and over since the GP started, but I’m telling the truth, I feel myself getting stronger every fight and I’m always able to fight in my best condition.

- The reason I trained with James Thompson is because he said he wanted to train together with us. It was maybe for about 2-3 weeks. I was training under Eric Parson the whole time. This time I didn’t do altitude training though. Reason being, it’s so hard that the other team mates won’t be able to keep up with the training, haha. I didn’t do any special training but I worked hard with my usual regimen, and I do believe that I’m well prepared for the GP which is a major goal in my life.

- It’s funny that Nogueira is looking past my skills and saying “that’s all jiu-jitsu technique.” I never had a jiu-jitsu training session ever. All the fighters have their own styles, and even though the styles may be different we are all doing it for the same goal. My base is catch wrestling, and that’s my style.

- I know that in Japan, the BJJ and pro-wrestling worlds has a feud against each other, I feel a bit of responsibility too. But the start of that was Judo, when Karl Gotch showed Japan pro-wrestling, and in the 90’s the pro-wrestlers fought judo-kas, and set up the feud of Judo VS pro-wrestling. In BJJ, Konde Coma showed Brazillians jiu-jitsu, and BJJ artists fought judo-kas. So personally, I think the beef is bigger for pro-wrestling VS judo or BJJ vs judo.

- (When asked if he wanted to avenge his loss to Mirko) I don’t really mind who wins in the opposite side of the bracket. That’s because whoever rises to the OW GP Finals, is worthy of being my opponent.

- A lot of fans may be worried about the strength of pro-wrestlers, but I’ll show you guys the real strength of pro-wrestlers in this event. I’ll show you that “pro-wrestlers are truly strong!”


*Nogueira could not show for the interview due to scheduling

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Wanderlei Silva





- I felt I had to increase my weight for this fight, so I did. I’m at 99kg just now. What changed the most is power. I’m at best condition now, so it should be a good fight.

- I don’t have the recent Mirko videotapes, I watched it a few times in the past but not anymore. Is my gameplan the same as before? Well to tell the truth, I never have a plan going into any fight. I’m ready to fight on the ground or striking, and as for plans I usually think up of them in the flow of the fight. I think in my head about the various things I want to do, but I don’t know what will really happen so I’ll just think about them while I’m in the fight.

- The recent Mirko is undoubtedly an incredible fighter. He’s like an idol in Japan now. It’s a lot of fun for me to fight him, and I think my motivation will rise higher after beating him so I look forward to it. His weakness is, to put it bluntly, the ground. Watching him, his BJJ technique is very limited.

- I will decide while I fight whether I will go head on with strikes, or go for the ground game. But my style is to take the offensive with strikes, so I think the beginning will be a striking war.

- Mirko is a kick boxer, I think any of his kicks have the potential to cause damage if they connect. I especially trained the low kick defense this time. For now I want to concentrate on the ground, I want to give it everything I build up for this fight. Of course, I want to prove that my Muay Thai will overcome his Kickboxing. I really want to KO him by knees.

- I think it’ll be a historic match if me VS Nogueira becomes a reality. This fight will be an upgrade for my career, so I’m extremely excited.

- I’m the smallest of the four, but I think the most important thing is to train very hard for the GP. In addition to the physical aspect, training, skills, and the team’s support are important as well. Each coach will instruct me on how to prepare for the opponent, and that’s very crucial as well. You also need the help of god. For me, this GP will be an extremely tough event, but I love to challenge myself so I want to keep pushing myself without fearing about a loss.

- It’s an honor to have Takada call me “Mr. PRIDE.” It’s not something I earned by myself, but with the help of everyone in my team. Pride has overcame many obstacles. That’s the same as my life. As a fighter, I have the mentality that one must overcome his obstacles.

- I think this will be the most exciting event of the year. I want all the fans to come see this event. I will be fighting heavier opponents, but it was because of everyone that I was able to be in this GP. I will try my best to make this a great match.


*Mirko (as usual) didn't show up for the interview.

[soo2bhuge]

thanx for the post!

[sonar1234]

Good to see Sergei back, another great ppv by Pride i cant wait to order this.

[QuieTSToRM33]

good post

[Hunter]

thanks for the post Murilo appreciated

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Mirko skipped the press conference as usual:



***Goddamn Wand's arms look huge.

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Josh says that Nakamura and "Kiss" Nakao make a lovely couple. And if he wins the GP, he will use his money to buy them a nice wedding present.









When asked about Mirko not being there, Silva said, "Whatever... I don't care."

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