Fighters Only

Issue 187

January 2020

“Big Country” on being big in Japan, and elsewhere.

In past conversations with you I know you have put Fedor Emelianenko at the top of your fight wish list. What would it mean for you to finally get that fight? Is he the big boss at the end of the video game for you?

That would be like a bonus level or a hidden level on the game. I look at Fedor as the heavyweight of all heavyweights. He is the greatest heavyweight that has ever graced MMA. From fighting in Pride to Strikeforce, he’s always been the guy.

Rampage Jackson is on your wish list, too. Do you ever see that fight materializing?

I have tried to get Rampage to fight me for the last year or so. That one won’t happen. I don’t think he wants to fight. Every time I have asked for it they have said he was too fat for me. That doesn’t make any sense because I thought I was the fat one.

With the longevity of your career and competing at the highest level against the all-time greats, do you feel like you get the respect you deserve?

I really don’t know. I know I am really lucky that I get to do what I do. If people think I suck, then I suck. If people think I’m good, then I’m good. I just go out there and enjoy doing what I do. At the end of the day, I have a beautiful family and beautiful friends and that’s all that matters.

We all know fans want to be invested in fights. A good storyline will do just that. Where do you fit in the Bellator storyline right now?

Right now it’s just about going out there and having the story actually be told. I don’t think a lot of people even know there is even a story being told.

What would you want them to know about the story right now?

I think its just about who’s left. Right now the story line is going to be about Japan. I think that’s the story line being told. Japan has a different type of fan base. You have to have boots on the ground to market there. That is the one thing with teaming up with RIZIN, that will help the story line. I have fought in Japan a few times. There are only a few marquee guys that can carry a card and hold a crowd out there.