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"Final Conflict 2004" Post-Fight Interviews
August 15, 2004 Saitama Super Arena Japan
For all those who don't have the capability to download the post-fight interviews conducted by PRIDE and the media on their website - http://www.pridefc.com/index_j.html - the following are short recaps of the interviews (they do contain results). Only Interviews conducted with English translations are listed. Viewer discretion is advised as some language may be offensive to some people. The Pay-Per-View for this event will premiere in North America on August 22nd on iNDEMAND, Direct TV and TVN. DISH Network will premiere the event on August 28th. Check you local guide for times.
When asked if he was satisfied with the decision? Kharitonov said he was not satisfied with the decision but he's developing now so please expect more in his next fight.
When asked about Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's striking? He said as you can see, he didn't take much damage from Nogueira's striking so Nogueira's striking is about the same as others.
When asked if he wanted to fight for the (PRIDE) heavyweight title? Kharitonov said of course, he's still young and he thinks he'll have lot's of chances to do so.
When asked what he thinks he lacks? He said he is developing now. He'll try to train harder to improve his skills in striking and ground technique - all of it.
When asked about the first round and Nogueira attempting a triangle choke and an arm bar, did he feel he was in trouble? Kharitonov said no, he was ready for the fight with Nogueira. Before the fight, he was already expecting everything Nogueira did. He believes he was ready to fight Nogueira.
Kharitonov Thanks everyone
When asked how he felt? He said he felt very relieved - the fight is over.
When asked his impression of the fight and Randleman? Waterman said he was pleased with the outcome. He said it's always hard to fight one of your friends and he considers Kevin one of his friends. He said you don't like to come out swinging and punching and hitting your friend in the face. Waterman said he knows that it is something necessary in this sport to set up submissions. He said he was very pleased with the outcome, that he used a couple of punches to set up a submission and it finished just the way he wanted.
When asked if he wanted the belt and how he thinks he could do against the final two (Nog and Fedor)? He said he was disappointed, obviously, he didn't get a chance to get bumped up to the final match because he felt he could do very well against either one of them. He said he's much stronger than both of them and he thinks his shape is the best it can be right now and he thinks he can give them both a very good fight.
Waterman Thanks everyone
Kevin Randleman (both hands are wrapped) When asked how he felt? He said he felt good. Randleman said when he went out there, he was very relaxed. He said one thing that you always know is that every time he fights for you guys and fights here in Japan, he's learning. He said every time he's in that ring, Bas Rutten and the Quenton Jackson's and the guys that know the sport, they see him learning more and more. He said his ground game sucks but he's getting better but he feels good. Randleman said he went out there and was very relaxed. He said he fought a very smart fight and he made a very stupid mistake and he lost to Ron Waterman. Randleman said as you guys know, Ron Waterman lost to 'Cro Cop', He (Randleman) beat 'Cro Cop', Ron beat him - It's a triangle out here. He said it doesn't matter who you are, on any given Sunday, you can get your ass whooped...butt whooped.
When asked what his game plan was? Randleman said his game plan is to go back home and train what he needs to know most of - and that's ground game fellas. Randleman said bottom line, he thinks he's a tough son of a gun but the bottom line is that he is not that good. He said great fighters know that they are great because they know they have a lot to learn. Randleman said he thinks he is a great fighter because there is a lot of stuff that he has to learn yet. He said the day that he retires is the day he thinks he's done learning. He said he needs to learn Jiu-Jitsu and he needs to learn from the Nogueiras and the best Top Teams in Jiu-Jitsu and when he wants to learn how to kick, he needs to learn from the "Cro Cops" and the Chute Box team where the Wanderlei Silva's and the greatest Muay Thai's in the world. Randleman said you got to go where you got to learn your trade and he said he can't learn it in Ohio. He said we've got to go other places so what he has to do is to become a student again for you guys.
Randleman jokes with the reporters for a bit
When asked if anything was happening before the fight (in reference to Waterman - argument or something)? What was his feelings before the fight? He said he likes all the guys. He said, honestly, he would fight his own fucking sister. Randleman said he is the worst fighter in the world to deal with on the day of a fight. He said he's an asshole but right after his fight, he's back to being a very nice person. Randleman said he'll fight his own sister. He said this is his job - right after the fight is over, he'll freakin hug Ron Waterman, he'll kiss his kids, he'll pray with him. He said he has no ill feelings toward any fighter... Mirko 'Cro Cop,' if he beats him the next time they fight or if Mark Coleman, if they have to fight some day, this is their job. This is what they are striving to be. He said they are striving to be the best fuckin fighters in the world and he doesn't care if he has to kick your fucking ass (talking to a reporter), kick Ron Waterman's ass or get his ass kicked by Ms. Elizabeth (standing right behind him with Mark Coleman), this is what he does. He said this is what pays his bills, this is what is going to send his kids to college. So he said if he has to fight you (talking to the reporter), so be it. Randleman said, afterwards, he'll buy you a beer. He said okay, no biggie, no biggie at all. He said no problems behind the stage - Life is good.
When asked how his hands where? He said his pride hurt more than any injury you'll ever see him sustain in the ring. Randleman said "but one thing for sure, you guys have one of the greatest cultures." Randleman said he knows his culture but he is learning a great culture from you (Japanese people)...samurai's...and the way you have lived your heritage...you have no idea what it's doing for me and my friends. Randleman concluded by saying he looks forward to showing you more of the samurai in him.
Randleman Thanks everyone
When asked how he felt? He said he felt good.
When asked if he was planning to finish with a high kick? He said no, he was planning to finish - it could have been a punch, it could have been a kick.
When asked how Alexander Emelianenko was as an opponent. 'Cro Cop' said he surprised him. In Alexander's previous fight, he didn't see much. 'Cro Cop' said he's a good fighter - besides, he's Fedor's brother. 'Cro Cop' said he's good heavy, very hard punch...he's good.
When asked if Alexander hit him with knees? 'Cro Cop' said he didn't touched him.
When asked how his four weeks were in Tokyo? He said it was a hard time for him because he was away from his family - Especially from his son who is 1 1/2 years and needs his father beside him but business is business. He said he wanted to thank Mr. Shimada for letting him train at his Dojo. He said we trained there two times a day - he appreciated that.
When asked how his knee was? 'Cro Cop' said actually, it doesn't matter right now but eight or nine days ago, he injured his knee during training. He said he thought in the first moments that he broke something, but x-rays said nothing is broken - just some ligament fractures or something...he doesn't know how to explain. He said he was worried about it because he couldn't walk for two days - he was lying in bed. He said he had to fight but, one week later, it's really not a good feeling. He can feel it now. 'Cro Cop' said he needs to go into therapy, after two weeks, he'll be as good as new.
When asked about his condition, percentage wise? He said he was not a 100% because he couldn't train - he had to be careful. 'Cro Cop' said last week, he wasn't able to kick at all in training, so he was just doing some punches - and 10 days without kicking, it was stressful for him because he didn't know how his leg would react. He told people that but it was okay.
When asked about what he thought about the outcome of the Grand Prix? He said he thinks we were all disappointed because of what happened. He said he understands both fight and fighter but it wasn't Nogueira's fault...He said so Fedor jumped at him and he hit Nogueira's head so he doesn't know if he would agree with a no-contest fight. He said, anyway, he's not a judge, it's just his opinion...it's just his opinion.
When asked what is next for him considering tonight's outcome? "Cro Cop" said he wants to rest two weeks and check his knee. He said October is coming, New Years Eve is coming - he said he will fight anyone.
When asked who would he would prefer to fight - Nogueira or Fedor? He said they will both come - So it doesn't matter who comes first.
(Reporter) - So you want them to unify the belt? He said yeah, they can fight - it is fair, they should fight before.
(Reporter) - Then you want to challenge? 'Cro Cop' said then I want to challenge one or the other - Even if I have to fight both of them. He said Nogueira for revenge...because there are three of us at the top of PRIDE.
And he said he didn't forget Kevin (Randleman) - Kevin too (in reference to wanting to fight in the future).
'Cro Cop' Thanks everyone.
(8/15/04)
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