I've never considered myself as a legend - just a simple man with heart.
A fighter, a real strong fighter, should always look dignified and calm, and I believe that any expression of aggression is an expression of weakness. A strong person will not be nervous and will not express aggression towards his opponent. He will be confident in his abilities and his training; then he will face the fight calm and balanced.
I am the face and ambassador of sambo. The organization I'm working is trying really hard to make sambo a sport on the Olympian level.
A true athlete is someone who doesn't just stop training when they stop competing. It's a way of life, and they keep in shape just to keep up that standard.
For every athlete, it is very important to be able to engage in their favorite thing, give all the best in training, performing in competitions, defending the honor of the motherland.
You know when a person goes into the ring to win, or at least not to lose. I mean, when a fighter is ready and goes to fight, than it can be seen by his look. Regardless of whether he gets hit or not, he goes forward, and regardless of whether he wins or loses, he wants to go forward, and it is clear from his burning eyes.
I gain strength out of familiar surroundings.
I'm very grateful to God for what he gives me. Victories, remarkable victories, but you have to go through the defeats. That is why I praise God for everything.
The UFC didn't want me to fight there so what could I do? We were unable to make a deal. They offered unacceptable conditions.
Cain Velasquez, he has some technical difficulties, but he has ambition, and he's fearless. He wants to win so badly, and he's in great condition. He's a thinking fighter.
It's essential for a fighter to go separately and just focus on training away from everybody else.
I don't know how much the other fighters make. But I need to tell you that, for myself, money is not the first consideration.
UFC is a moneymaking machine. The most important thing for this organization is a brand and its marketing. They have a couple of good fighters, and there are also some very good champions, but they are trying to keep everyone at the same level. The most important thing for them is the promotion, not the fighters.
I have no special strategy. I can just wait to see what my opponent offers.
One needs to live every day according to God's commandments. And then any kind of difficulty or unpleasantness will be manageable.
If Dana White can offer a contract that's not one-sided, and it's not cumbersome to the point where we look at it and realize that we can't fight for him, then we'll fight in the UFC.
I always like and appreciate the support for the fans; I am very grateful to everyone who supports me.
I would like to have a rematch against Fabricio Werdum.
People are making judgements about Russian people based on me. This is why I never allow myself any aggression towards my opponent.
I don't think about fights that didn't happen.
