MMA legend Igor Vovchanchyn answers the fans' questions.
The first part of the interview can be found here.
Part II of Vovchanchyn's exclusive conversation with M-1 is now available below.
M-1Global.com: Is it true that your manager put you in way too many fights, much more than you wanted to participate in?
Igor Vovchanchyn: Yeah, I think so. I got really tired at times. All my losses bak then were the signals to take a rest.
M-1Global.com: Are you disappointed you didn’t get an opportunity to revenge your loss to Mark Coleman?
Igor Vovchanchyn: Not really. There is a time for everything, I guess.
M-1Global.com: The blond-haired woman that followed you at PRIDE, who was she? A wife or a manager?
Igor Vovchanchyn: It was Eugenia Borschevskaya, the Federation secretary, an interpreter who knows 9 languages.
M-1Global.com: Were you paid to lose in PRIDE?
Igor Vovchanchyn: Of course, but not in the way you assume. Every fighter got paid, the winner got more, the loser – less. Just like in any organization.
M-1Global.com: How did you develop your knockout power?
Igor Vovchanchyn: I started with boxing, track and field. Later on I transferred to kickboxing. I was lucky with my trainenrs.
M-1Global.com: Quinton Jackson gave you a note before the fight (Pride 22). What was written there?
Igor Vovchanchyn: He asked me not to beat him hard. It’s just a psychological hook – to frustrate your opponent no matter how. And it played out more or less well. I was thinking about what was written there because nobody would translate it to me prior to the fight.
M-1Global.com: Was it difficult for you to make 93 kg with your height about 175 cm? How did you keep your speed and stamina? What’s your natural weight?
Igor Vovchanchyn: It’s all about training. I was 93 kg only for the last two years in PRIDE when they introduced weight divisions. But actually my natural weight is around 103-104 kg. Losing weight I did’t feel myself as strong as before. But 104 kg is the best weight for me and I am really comfortable about it. I felt strong, powerful, full of energy. Due to losing weight I felt lack of self-confidence. By the way the same goes for Fedor (Emelianenko), when he lost the weight, he felt out of his comfort zone. It’s not about the shape and visual muscular performance but it was not his style.
M-1Global.com: Would you like to work as a commentator at the M-1 Selection events?
Igor Vovchanchyn: I would like to if invited.
M-1Global.com: Would you still become a fighter now looking back in the past?
Igor Vovchanchyn: Yes, I would become a fighter anyway. I would only change some details though.
M-1Global.com: What is the reason behind lack of Russians on the international MMA scene?
Igor Vovchanchyn: Yeah, I think so. I got really tired at times. All my losses bak then were the signals to take a rest.
M-1Global.com: Are you disappointed you didn’t get an opportunity to revenge your loss to Mark Coleman?
Igor Vovchanchyn: Not really. There is a time for everything, I guess.
M-1Global.com: The blond-haired woman that followed you at PRIDE, who was she? A wife or a manager?
Igor Vovchanchyn: It was Eugenia Borschevskaya, the Federation secretary, an interpreter who knows 9 languages.
M-1Global.com: Were you paid to lose in PRIDE?
Igor Vovchanchyn: Of course, but not in the way you assume. Every fighter got paid, the winner got more, the loser – less. Just like in any organization.
M-1Global.com: How did you develop your knockout power?
Igor Vovchanchyn: I started with boxing, track and field. Later on I transferred to kickboxing. I was lucky with my trainenrs.
M-1Global.com: Quinton Jackson gave you a note before the fight (Pride 22). What was written there?
Igor Vovchanchyn: He asked me not to beat him hard. It’s just a psychological hook – to frustrate your opponent no matter how. And it played out more or less well. I was thinking about what was written there because nobody would translate it to me prior to the fight.
M-1Global.com: Was it difficult for you to make 93 kg with your height about 175 cm? How did you keep your speed and stamina? What’s your natural weight?
Igor Vovchanchyn: It’s all about training. I was 93 kg only for the last two years in PRIDE when they introduced weight divisions. But actually my natural weight is around 103-104 kg. Losing weight I did’t feel myself as strong as before. But 104 kg is the best weight for me and I am really comfortable about it. I felt strong, powerful, full of energy. Due to losing weight I felt lack of self-confidence. By the way the same goes for Fedor (Emelianenko), when he lost the weight, he felt out of his comfort zone. It’s not about the shape and visual muscular performance but it was not his style.
M-1Global.com: Would you like to work as a commentator at the M-1 Selection events?
Igor Vovchanchyn: I would like to if invited.
M-1Global.com: Would you still become a fighter now looking back in the past?
Igor Vovchanchyn: Yes, I would become a fighter anyway. I would only change some details though.
M-1Global.com: What is the reason behind lack of Russians on the international MMA scene?
