Fedor Emelianenko: I would definitely like to be Heavyweight Champion again

Two legends will collide as "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko and Dan "Hendo" Henderson go head to head in the main event at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson, set to take place July 30th from the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.  Also featured will be Women's Welterweight Champion Marloes "Rumina" Coenen, putting her title on the line against Miesha "Takedown" Tate in the co-headlining bout and "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler taking on Tim Kennedy in a Middleweight showdown.

Below are highlights from today's Media Conference Call, which included headliners Fedor Emelianenko and Dan Henderson, as well as Marloes Coenen and Miesha Tate. 

Fedor Emelianenko

• Of course (defeating Dan Henderson) would be a very important victory. Dan has been a champion in many different organizations.  It would be very important to me.

• Well, of course (being Champion again) is important.  Its definitely something that I would like to achieve again.  For me, what is most important is to be a master of the sport and to be on top of my game.

• No, (I am not training any differently than before my losses), everything is just as it was.  We're are preparing for him just the same as before.  Nothing specifically, we've trained as we have before.

• I don't know (how long I will continue fighting).  That's God's will.  We'll fight our next fight and then after that we will see.

• I started off fighting in Sambo and became a Champion in Russian Sambo.  After that, the opportunities came up to fight in MMA as a professional and I took that opportunity.

• I always had a desire to fight and while I was fighting in the unpaid ranks, I just got an opportunity to fight professionally and make some money. I never really thought I had any special talents, I just tried it out and kept winning. Of course I trained a considerable amount and developed my talents the best I could, but certainly I believe God has blessed me with my talents and that has a great deal to do with it as well.

• Right now, I am not thinking about wins or losses or any future opponents.  Right now, I am just thinking about this fight and after this fight we'll sit down and figure out what the next move is. I don't know (if I will retire if I lose), we'll see.  Everything will be known after the fight.  It's better to talk about it then.

• Absolutely not, (losing two fights in a row) hasn't affected my confidence at all.  If God has given me a certain path, I have to go down that path and feel confident about it.

• One thing I've learned (from losing) is that I know I can thank God for both all of my successes and failures and all of my good times and bad times.  I am thankful for all of those lessons.

• Well, if it is God's will, then I could certainly continue fighting for years to come. I would like to continue fighting and thank God right now I feel great and I am in good shape.

• Like an Orthodox Christian fighter.  That's how I would like people to remember me.

• (Fighting for a promotion under ZUFFA) doesn't really matter to me.  The main thing is is that the fans of the sport get to see both of us fight and see the best fighters fight.

• I'm not sure what I am going to weigh on the day of the weigh-in, but probably what I've weighed before.  Maybe a little bit lighter - maybe around 100kg. I have always fought as a Heavyweight and I didn't see any reason to fight at a lighter weight.  There hasn't really been any significant offers to fight at a lighter weight, so I will fight at the weight I always have.

Dan Henderson

• I don't believe that (not bulking up) was a decision at all. It's tough for me to gain weight.  I've done plenty of weight lifting for this and plenty of eating.  I'm not going to feel outmatched or small out there.  I'm planning on going out there and, not fighting directly in his power, but being able to move him around.

• I guess (what I learned from Matt Lindland fighting Fedor) is to not get caught on bottom in an armbar.  I've seen him fight plenty of times and watched video on him.  Fedor is dangerous whether he is in shape, out of shape, it doesn't matter.

• (Asked what Fedor should fear most about him) I guess my size.  I don't know if he should fear me at all if he wants to win.  I think we both know that we are both dangerous and we have to be careful out there.  But, I am not afraid of him and I am pretty sure he isn't afraid of me.

• I watched both of his last fights and I felt that it seemed like against Werdum he got a little cocky with his submission defense thinking he wouldn't get submitted - everyone can get caught I guess.  With Silva I think he was a little bit out of shape and the size definitely got to him.

• I think that anybody that has their back to the wall coming off of two losses like that is definitely more dangerous.  But, he will still be trying to hit me with the same punches that he would have been trying to hit me with if he won those last two matches.

• (Asked who has the bigger right-hand between he and Fedor) I don't know I guess we'll find out.

• No, I don't think Fedor is just another name. It definitely excites me for the opportunity to fight him.  I am ready to go and just waiting to get in there at this point.

• In most fights, I tend to try and knock a guy out, but I don't forget about my wrestling.  I am not going to do that in this fight either, I will try to utilize my clinch and wrestling, but I am also going to stand and bang with him.

• I have no plans of going anywhere (once my contract expires).  I'd like to defend the Strikeforce belt and go from there.  You know, but we have to figure everything else out as well. I think regardless of whether it is the first fight or last fight on my contract, I am always trying ot go out there and be exciting and try to finish fights.