After returning to Russia, Fedor's long-time striking coach Alexander Michkov gave an interview in which he talked about the fight with Silva, weight issues, made some bold steroids accusations and talked about Fedor's future. Enjoy!
- What was the game plan going into the fight?
- We didn't really have one. We planned to adjust according to the situation. First, we wanted to "feel" the opponent, then start the real action.
- Does it concern you that Silva was 10 kg heavier in the day of the fight, how can you explain such a tremendous weight-gain?
- Of course it amazed us. Think about it, how can the normal human-being gain 10 kg in 24 hours? There is something fishy here. The truth is, all our fighters, I am talking about Russian fighters here, that are fighting under M-1, train on their natural abilities. Of course, they take vitamins, but that's it. At the same time, all the foreign fighters, I think about 99% of them, are taking chemicals. Obviously it was not a problem for Silva to make a weight. He weighted 264 pounds in the day of the weigh-ins, and the next day, he was already over 280, he gained 10 kg...Its very hard to fight with opponent like this.
- It was declared that during Grand-Prix, there will be a medical checking, that would find any attempts of taking illegal substances (steroids)?
- The situation is very unclear. For example, we hear rumors that two other quarterfinals may be fought in the state that is very liberal with the testing. Why? Because any kind of semi-deep testing will prevent Overeem from fighting. With an naked eye, you can see that he is gormandized with steroids. We asked organizers to use Olympic style testing, but they declined to do so. And that was the right decision, because otherwise, everyone will get busted but Fedor.
-Giving the fact that Fedor has lost two of his last fight, do you things something needs to be changed in the way he trains? maybe add something new or remove something form the training?
- We haven't given this a thought yet, but its obvious that something needs to be changed. This question is open right now.
-Right afetr the fight, Fedor declared that he is thinking about retiring. Did you talk to him about it, what's his opinion now?
- He is ready to continue fighting. The lost has broken him at all, it was emotions speaking.
-Whose initiative it was to stop the fight, was is the doctor or Fedor himself?
-It was doctor's decision. He asked Fedor is he wants to continue the fight, and Fedor said: "Yes, I want to continue" At first, doctor agreed, but then he moved a little, came back and said that he can't allow Fedor to return for a third round, because his eye completely shut and he (doctor) couldn't take that responsibility to let him fight.
-How is Fedor now? How is his eye?
- Everything is OK. It was just a regular haematoma, when one of the vein is popped. Already yesterday, he could see everything. The eye is not damaged at all.
-What are the plans for the near future?
-Fedor expressed his desire to participate in Russian National Sambo tournament, so in the end of the month (tournament will be held in February 25 and 26), we are going to St Petersburg. We are not taking any pauses and are ready to train and be involved in the various competitions