Anjew
Q: First of all, congratulations on your win over Mike Bernardo. How much of a challenge do you feel that fight was for you?
A: That was a great challenge to me. With Mike’s punching power and boxing skills, things could be dangerous for me mainly if I wouldn’t make him doubt from the very beginning of the fight. And I had to keep reminding myself not to forget that it was about a place in Tokyo Dome Finals.
Q: You didn't have much trouble with Mike. What kind of game plan did you put together before the fight?
A: My coach’s plan worked perfectly. We based everything on kicking in the first round to hurt his legs and body. Then, I would start using more punches and high kicks in the second and all the weapons plus kicks in the third. Everything worked out well and I was able to strike a straight right hand followed by a low kick as soon as I started feeling that Mike was entirely focused on the pain from low and middle kicking hard from my side.
Q: You have defeated several accomplished fighters during your short time with the K-1 circuit. What kinds of things would you attribute your rapid progress to?
A: I’m relatively young in K-1, but before getting to K-1 I had some good experience in Muay Thai. My progress is due mainly to that experience and the hard work during the training. On the other hand, I think that the fact that I am rather (an) all-around fighter with kicks, punches and knees and have worked to give the same importance to each has helped me a lot.
Q: A lot of people talk about how your knee strikes have been an extremely effective weapon for you in the ring. How instrumental do you feel your knee techniques have been in your success?
A: It’s a rather sad subject to me. When I came to K-1, knees were allowed to be used in almost pure Muay Thai way, with clinches included. Then, the rules changed and actually we can’t really use real knee work in K-1. You can strike only once while holding your opponent with both hands to the neck. Making straight knees only without holding is okay, but is not as effective as knees used during the clinch. That rule change took away from me a huge potential.
Q: How did you obtain your nickname, "The Scorpion"?
A: It’s because of my fighting style. I like to make my opponents feel safe or distracted and strike quickly for an effective attack.
Q: Your first opponent in the December Grand Prix Finals tournament will be Peter Aerts, a three-time champion of the event. How do you feel you will match up with Peter?
A: Peter is a great fighter. I have very good opinion of him as well inside the ring as outside the ring as a person. We already fought once. (In a five-round bout on July 14th, Ignashov defeated Aerts via judges’ decision.) That fight was not so spectacular, but very hard because of our common background in Muay Thai. The match up is not the best I could get (as a first fight in the tournament) because, even if I win, the possibility of (suffering) injuries is high. Peter knows how to kick. Some people may consider Peter not as good as he used to be, but experience is to his advantage.
Q: What kind of advantages do you feel you might have over Peter?
A: My speed and my stamina.
Q: How ready do you feel at this point in your career to win the December tournament and elevate your status to that of one of the sport's next great superstars?
A: I think that I’m ready to give my best shot, but in the tournament format luck counts for a great part. It’s not enough to be a good fighter; you have also to be lucky on the tournament date.
Q: As a K-1 fighter, what is life like for you in Belarus? What kind of recognition do you receive there?
A: I must say that not many people in Belarus know what K-1 is. Most of the recognition comes from the knowledgeable fans that are following the K-1 with a lot of interest. For the rest, I’m not trying very hard to get into the spotlight, because it’s not in my character and it would put on me more obligations for which I don’t have time enough to assume.
Q: Lately, there seems to be an increasing number of professional K-1 fighters coming out of your country. Why do you think this has happened?
A: For several reasons. They know me and can see how far one can get in K-1. Also, Belarus Muay Thai was always strong, so the fighters’ potential is great. Also, most of those fighters are coming from Chinuk Gym where I train and spar with them. My coach, Andrei Grydin, is very competent and results are good.
Q: What aspects of K-1 attracted you most to the sport and what do you find to be the most exciting aspect of the sport?
A: I’m a competitor and K-1 is the only professional fighting body to allow fighter with standing skills to earn decently their living by exercising their profession. This is for the practical aspect. Then, K-1 is promoting great shows with very enthusiastic and dedicated fans. And, of course, to be able to meet the best in the K-1 circuit is the main exciting aspect for me.
Q: Would you like to add anything else?
A: Yes. I’d like to see K-1 growing in U.S.A., Australia, Asia (outside Japan), because it’s a modern spectacular entertainment and U.S.A. is the place to be. My plans are to fight everywhere, with U.S.A. as a priority.
>>What now? I tell you what now. Now I'm gonna call a couple of pipe niggers with a pair of pliers and a blow torch. They will get Mediaeval on your ass! You hear me now, hillbilly boy!?<<
A: That was a great challenge to me. With Mike’s punching power and boxing skills, things could be dangerous for me mainly if I wouldn’t make him doubt from the very beginning of the fight. And I had to keep reminding myself not to forget that it was about a place in Tokyo Dome Finals.
Q: You didn't have much trouble with Mike. What kind of game plan did you put together before the fight?
A: My coach’s plan worked perfectly. We based everything on kicking in the first round to hurt his legs and body. Then, I would start using more punches and high kicks in the second and all the weapons plus kicks in the third. Everything worked out well and I was able to strike a straight right hand followed by a low kick as soon as I started feeling that Mike was entirely focused on the pain from low and middle kicking hard from my side.
Q: You have defeated several accomplished fighters during your short time with the K-1 circuit. What kinds of things would you attribute your rapid progress to?
A: I’m relatively young in K-1, but before getting to K-1 I had some good experience in Muay Thai. My progress is due mainly to that experience and the hard work during the training. On the other hand, I think that the fact that I am rather (an) all-around fighter with kicks, punches and knees and have worked to give the same importance to each has helped me a lot.
Q: A lot of people talk about how your knee strikes have been an extremely effective weapon for you in the ring. How instrumental do you feel your knee techniques have been in your success?
A: It’s a rather sad subject to me. When I came to K-1, knees were allowed to be used in almost pure Muay Thai way, with clinches included. Then, the rules changed and actually we can’t really use real knee work in K-1. You can strike only once while holding your opponent with both hands to the neck. Making straight knees only without holding is okay, but is not as effective as knees used during the clinch. That rule change took away from me a huge potential.
Q: How did you obtain your nickname, "The Scorpion"?
A: It’s because of my fighting style. I like to make my opponents feel safe or distracted and strike quickly for an effective attack.
Q: Your first opponent in the December Grand Prix Finals tournament will be Peter Aerts, a three-time champion of the event. How do you feel you will match up with Peter?
A: Peter is a great fighter. I have very good opinion of him as well inside the ring as outside the ring as a person. We already fought once. (In a five-round bout on July 14th, Ignashov defeated Aerts via judges’ decision.) That fight was not so spectacular, but very hard because of our common background in Muay Thai. The match up is not the best I could get (as a first fight in the tournament) because, even if I win, the possibility of (suffering) injuries is high. Peter knows how to kick. Some people may consider Peter not as good as he used to be, but experience is to his advantage.
Q: What kind of advantages do you feel you might have over Peter?
A: My speed and my stamina.
Q: How ready do you feel at this point in your career to win the December tournament and elevate your status to that of one of the sport's next great superstars?
A: I think that I’m ready to give my best shot, but in the tournament format luck counts for a great part. It’s not enough to be a good fighter; you have also to be lucky on the tournament date.
Q: As a K-1 fighter, what is life like for you in Belarus? What kind of recognition do you receive there?
A: I must say that not many people in Belarus know what K-1 is. Most of the recognition comes from the knowledgeable fans that are following the K-1 with a lot of interest. For the rest, I’m not trying very hard to get into the spotlight, because it’s not in my character and it would put on me more obligations for which I don’t have time enough to assume.
Q: Lately, there seems to be an increasing number of professional K-1 fighters coming out of your country. Why do you think this has happened?
A: For several reasons. They know me and can see how far one can get in K-1. Also, Belarus Muay Thai was always strong, so the fighters’ potential is great. Also, most of those fighters are coming from Chinuk Gym where I train and spar with them. My coach, Andrei Grydin, is very competent and results are good.
Q: What aspects of K-1 attracted you most to the sport and what do you find to be the most exciting aspect of the sport?
A: I’m a competitor and K-1 is the only professional fighting body to allow fighter with standing skills to earn decently their living by exercising their profession. This is for the practical aspect. Then, K-1 is promoting great shows with very enthusiastic and dedicated fans. And, of course, to be able to meet the best in the K-1 circuit is the main exciting aspect for me.
Q: Would you like to add anything else?
A: Yes. I’d like to see K-1 growing in U.S.A., Australia, Asia (outside Japan), because it’s a modern spectacular entertainment and U.S.A. is the place to be. My plans are to fight everywhere, with U.S.A. as a priority.
>>What now? I tell you what now. Now I'm gonna call a couple of pipe niggers with a pair of pliers and a blow torch. They will get Mediaeval on your ass! You hear me now, hillbilly boy!?<<
Ojciec Dyrektor Dzialu K-1 www.mmaniacs.pl 2003 - 2010
Krzysztof Piekarz
Marian.B.
Anonim
