New Nog Interview After Final Conflict...

[robbypark]

The following interview was conducted by mmaweekly.com's Japan team after Nog's victory over Cro Cop at Final Conflict:

After submitting Mirko Cro Cop in an exciting fight during the November 9 Pride, Rodrigo Minotauro talked with our team from Japan. Wanderlei Silva didn't go to the Pride party after the show and Minotauro got all the press and fans attention. While he was giving autographs, Minotauro confirmed for us that he will face Emelianenko Fedor on February 2004 for the Pride Heavyweight title. The Russian fighter never defended his belt; since, he defeated Minotauro on March 13, in a fight decided by the judges.

How do you see your fight against Mirko Cro Cop?

I think that I did what I had to do. I heared a lot of bull**** from all over the place... people saying that my game was obvious and that I would be knocked out. I stood for more than six minutes against Cro Cop and I survived. He didn't survive a minute on the ground with me. That´s the fact.

You had a lot of problems during the first round. What happened?

I couldn't keep him on the ground as I intended to and I had to change with him in his game on the feet. I was punched several times, but I proved I'm prepared to face any kind of opponent.

But you were knocked down in the end of the first round...

Man, Mirko's kick is like a stone! He hit my head and I really got in trouble, I almost got knocked down. It was the most painful shot I've ever felt. But I still knew what I had to do. I kept following my corner instructions, I returned calm to the second round, took him to the ground, mounted him and I did what had to be done.

He obviously got desperate when he saw himself under that situation. Why did you risk to lose the position trying to submit him, if you could beat him mounted and punching ?

That's my rule, I had to submit him. My conquer wouldn't be the same if he hadn't tapped out.

Now you have an open way to get your belt back. Did the Pride producers already talk to you about it?

Yes. I will face Fedor in February to take my Heavyweight belt back.

[Shamrocked]

I can't wait to see Fedor pound the **** out of this arrogant prick yet again!

[D241]

Nog by Kimura round 2

[TheRockSays]

nog by sub, 2nd round

[just Brian]

Shamrocked, I don't think he's arrogant. I think he simply vindicated himself. Nog said it - there was a lot of bull**** about how Mirko was going to tear through him (you didn't hear any of that from me by the way). The Mirko bandwagon was f---ing out of control. But all that's beside the point, it seems that in this interview Nog called it like it was - he gave Mirko credit for owning the stand-up, but the ground was all Nog. End of story, nothing arrogant there.

And now the rematch with Fedor...Fedor by KO. :twisted:
Fedor completely dominated Nog last time, Nog posed no threat to Fedor at all, sort of like Randy vs. Tito = total one-sided domination. The only thing he wasn't able to do was finish by KO. I suspect that "KO" will be Fedor's single goal this time around - Ground or standing.

[Force]

I think the second fight will go much like the first one. Fedor will dominate physically and Nog will not ba able to get the sub. I was very impressed with Nog's performance but I don't think he will be able to get the belt back. After he loses to Fedor I would love to see the Mirko Fedor matchup.

[Shamrocked]

Shamrocked, I don't think he's arrogant. I think he simply vindicated himself. Nog said it - there was a lot of bull**** about how Mirko was going to tear through him (you didn't hear any of that from me by the way). The Mirko bandwagon was f---ing out of control. But all that's beside the point, it seems that in this interview Nog called it like it was - he gave Mirko credit for owning the stand-up, but the ground was all Nog. End of story, nothing arrogant there.

And now the rematch with Fedor...Fedor by KO. :twisted:
Fedor completely dominated Nog last time, Nog posed no threat to Fedor at all, sort of like Randy vs. Tito = total one-sided domination. The only thing he wasn't able to do was finish by KO. I suspect that "KO" will be Fedor's single goal this time around - Ground or standing.I was referring to comments made in other recent interviews. Not neccessarily this one. I used to like the guy, now I enjoy seeing him take a beating which is exactly what Fedor will give him.

[grapplingengineer]

I like Nog alot, and think I'd have to objectively know him better before I could say what he was saying was out of arrogance. Some was factual, he did give CroCop alot of credit, you've got to have alot of confidence to do what he does, and he's earned plenty (but I still consider humility one of the top 5 best attributes a personality can adopt).

What makes me nervous is the "that's my rule, I had to submit him" statement. That could mean a couple of things, but it could mean he doesn't give much credence to boxing, kickboxing, and transition skills (wrestling, takedowns, etc)(or at least to using them in a fight), and that could keep him from the top again. That would be foolish.

[deanmalenko]

Nog is a great technical fighter but Mirko is better.

[uhhuhuhhuh]

Nog is a great technical fighter but Mirko is better.

Mirko is better at? getting submitted via arm-bar? He did prove that :)

[claymore]

If they fought again I'm sure Mirko would win. Nog has tremendous ability and not to take anything away from that, but his win was somewhat lucky.