More News and Notes from Affliction: Banned Fighters Press Conference

Posted by Morgan Marx on 07.21.2008

Quotes from Josh Barnett, Andrei Arlovski, Tim Sylvia, and Fedor Emelianenko

411Mania was in attendance for the post-event press conference featuring Affliction fighters and representatives. Here is a selection of news and notes to come from the event.

Josh Barnett:

* Pleased with win, but unhappy that he knocked out Rizzo due to the respect he has for Pedro. "Pedro has a beautiful soul and a lot of character."

* On a fight with Fedor: "It will be the kind of fight no one will forget, a fight books will be written about. One dynamic fight."

* On the US crowd: "I was apprehensive. In Japan, they know me as God, the Almighty. You can quote me on that. The UFC has a negative crowd aspect. Not the fans, but the whole feeling. Tonight, I didn't know what to expect. There was some booing, that can't be helped. But once the last fights started, the crowd exploded. It was like a hand grenade going off."

* Has a great relationship with World Victory Road. Represents Pancrase as the King of Pancrase. Wants to help get Sengoku over the hump, to establish them as a major MMA organization.

Andrei Arlovski

* Dedicated fight to recently deceased grandmother.

* Felt Affliction was a different situation than the UFC. "I had two fights left on my UFC contract and I fought to win. Tonight, I fought my best performance."

* Currently focused on his MMA career, will see about boxing in the future.

* Boxing trainer Freddie Roach: "My goal was to make him perfect with his hands. He fought very well with his hands."

* Arlovski echoed Josh Barnett's post-victory promo, saying his next fight is up to Affliction.

Tim Sylvia

* Gameplan was to use reach to keep Fedor at bay and use elbows in close. Expected a feeling out process, was surprised by Fedor's aggressiveness. Said his trainer told him it was a compliment, that Fedor didn't want to take chances by wasting time with Sylvia.

* "He caught me thinking, I've never been hit that hard before."

* Didn't think the choke was fully locked in. Was on "queer street" from the punches, felt pressure on his windpipe. "I just knew it hurt like hell."

* "He's (Fedor) unreal. I don't know if anyone will beat him for a while."

* Was impressed with Arlovski's fight, felt Arlovski has gotten better.

Fedor Emelianenko

* Thanked the fans, touched and honored by the support.

* Asked about the American crowd support: "Yes, to be honest, I was surprised. Can't explain why it happened."

* Feels he currently is at his peek. Said he will fight for at least another year, but confident he'll be fighting for a while.

* Told of Sylvia's comments ("I don't think Fedor's human") and asked to breakdown fight between Fedor and Fedor. Gave a sly smile, followed by a long pause. "I can't find answer how to beat myself."

* Said he gets nervous before fights just like everyone.

* Felt he was quicker than Sylvia, wanted to exploit speed in stand up game, where he is comfortable.

* Said he enjoyed the Arlovski and Barnett fights.

* Asked about fight with Randy Couture: "Randy is a fighter with a lot of strengths. It will come down to who takes advantage of mistakes."

* When asked about his hand, which appeared to be wrapped: "I think everything is OK, I think the thumb popped out and then back in."

* Wanted to celebrate victory with Russian fans and supporters, wanted to head to "big roller coasters" the next day.