Fedor Lauds Werdum’s Patience, Mental Fortitude

Fedor Emelianenko file photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Though the rest of the world may be counting Fabricio Werdum out, Fedor Emelianenko isn’t underestimating his challenger in this Saturday’s Strikeforce/M-1 Global headliner at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

The 33-year-old Emelianenko, who hasn’t lost since December 2000, said the two-time Abu Dhabi champion isn’t your run-of-the-mill fighter.

“He’s a fighter who thinks a lot. He’s not a standard fighter,” said Emelianenko through a translator on Wednesday. “One of his strongest (attributes) is that he’s a very patient fighter and during difficult situations in the fight, psychologically, he doesn’t give up.”

And while others complain that the world’s No. 1 heavyweight hasn’t faced a stern challenge in quite some time, in Emelianenko’s book (and in most rankings), Werdum represents his third straight top-10 opponent.

“I’m always very interested in performing with fighters who belong to their top 10 and it has been a long time that Fabricio Werdum belongs to the top 10,” said Emelianenko.

• Emelianenko stated that he wouldn’t pursue any political aspirations until his athletic career has completed.

• When asked if Brock Lesnar’s status as UFC heavyweight champion had any influence on the Russian’s decision to go with Strikeforce, Emelianenko had a one-word answer: “No.”

• Emelianenko’s wife Marina has joined her husband for the first time in America for one of his fights. Marina had previously attended events with Emelianenko in Japan. “I’m absolutely not nervous about her being here, as she only helps and supports me here,” said Emelianenko.

• Emelianenko said he requested the presence of two of his Russian Orthodox clergymen on the trip to the U.S., a “favor” that Strikeforce obliged. “We communicate all the time. We have a lot of spiritual discussions because me and my team usually have a lot of questions,” said Emelianenko. “The fathers help us to find the answers to these questions. And certainly we also pray.”