Their impression of Yarennoka!, revealing future plans, potential Fedor's opponents and more
1. Whose idea was it originally to organize the Yarennoka! event?
Vadim: We had the idea a long time ago. Fedor is Pride champion who has fought in Japan forever. In 2007 Pride was purchased by one American company following which Pride died.
In October I got call from ex-Pride staff representative who told me there was an opportunity of organizing an event in Japan. Shortly thereafter we came to agreement that we’d hold an event called ‘M-1 Yarennoka!’ which would embody farewell to Pride.
Sergei: Yarennoka in Japanese means “Let’s do this” or “Can we do it?”. Actually we had this question in mind while arranging things. As far as I’m concerned we succeeded.
2. What problems did you come across while organizing this event?
Vadim: We had a bunch of problems as it was the first time we made an event of this caliber. Lack of time for instance. Also they gave us a smaller arena than we expected because there was not enough time to conduct a full-scale campaign advertising the upcoming event. So we decided to not take the risk. The arena could seat only 22’000 spectators but there were about 27’000 in attendance, the arena was pretty much overcrowded. It was simply impossible to dismantle the arena in one day.
Sergei: For the next event we’ll get the building which would seat 40’000 people. We are confident there still will be lack of free seats. It was the case the last time as a lot of potential viewers couldn’t get a ticket.
3. What is your impression of M-1 Yarennoka! event?
Vadim: I have very nice impression. Everybody could understand Pride legacy will live on in M-1 Global. The main idea of the best championship passed on to M-1.
Sergei: MMA fans evaluated our efforts. We had the same staff that used to organize Pride events, we had just the same energy. And the most important thing is we have Fedor Emelianenko.
4. How did you manage to gather fighters from different promotions?
Vadim: First of all we stated that we intend to collaborate with different promotions in the first place. We’ll keep cooperating with K-1 and other organizations willing to cooperate with us. Right now we do our best to arrange Fedor – Randy fight. Almost everyone wants that megafight – Randy, M-1 Global and every single MMA fan in the world.
5. Can fans expect further collaboration with K-1, DEEP and ex-Pride staff?
Vadim: Sure! We’ll gladly work with these promotions.
6. Was New Year’s Eve Yarennoka! the first M-1 Global’s event or an independent tournament supported by M-1 Global?
Vadim: Yarennoka! was conceived to say good-bye to Pride. We made it together with the world’s best team. Pride can be dead but its idea still exists and it lives in M-1 Global.
7. What do your M-1 colleagues say about the last event?
Vadim: Everybody is satisfied with the quality and amount of work we’d made, event success validates this statement. We were running out of time but we did it. Millions of people were watching M-1 Yarennoka! live.
8. What’s next for M-1 Global?
Vadim: We plan to keep MMA fans happy. There are 5-6 major events a year planned. We intend to hold ‘M-1 Challenge’ in four countries. You’ll get the details later on.
9. What can you say about Fedor Emelianenko vs Hong Man Choi bout? Were you even worried?
Vadim: Actually I felt worried a lot. Choi is not as skilled wrestling-wise, he has much less experience, but he is 35 cm taller and 60 kg heavier than Fedor. Choi possesses KO power in his hands. It was a very dangerous bout. We were quiet nervous. There is no doubt in Fedor’s versatility but a fight is a fight and everything can happen. Choi’s strikes are much more powerful.
Sergei: This victory meant a lot. I personally was overfilled with emotions. When the fight was over we instantly jumped on the ring to hug the winner and shake his hand.
10. Who came to support Fedor?
Vadim: There were many well-known persons. Our friend Jean-Claude Van Damme with his wife and three kids came. As for the athletes there was Natalya Rogozina (boxer, multiple belts holder) and Olesya Kovalenko (Sumatori – multiple European and World sumo champion). Basically we had a tight group of 40 people. We are extremely grateful to everybody for their support.
11. Is it truth there is a possibility of rematch between Fedor and Choi?
Vadim: If Choi agrees we won’t hinder the fight from happening in the future.
12. Who will be Fedor’s next opponent and when the fight will take place?
Vadim: Now I can only confirm that Fedor’s next fight is scheduled to take place in the USA. More detailes in a couple of weeks.
13. What can you say about the possibility of the rematch against Semmi Schilt?
Vadim: There are no oponents Fedor won’t like to fight. Schilt has already tried himself against Fedor back in 2002. He is a good kickboxer. I don’t think he’s greatly improved his MMA skills since then. But if there is a brisk demand for it – it can happen.
14. Was Yarennoka! one night stand or will this event be held on a regular basis?
Sergei: This championship closed curtains of legendary events held inder the Pride banner. Now we’ll revive this tradition under the name of M-1 Global.
Vadim: We saw off Pride but MMA fans shouldn’t feel upset about it. M-1 Global will do its best to resurrect wonderful MMA-events and make fans happy.
