Fedor Emelianenko: 'I Was Just Happy That I Won'

Source: Sherdog

Fedor Emelianenko snapped out of a three-fight losing streak this past weekend when he earned a decision victory over Jeff Monson in the main event of M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Monson. However, many have questioned why "The Last Emperor" was not able to put Monson away during the bout.

"I was very happy with (the outcome) because everything we planned before with my coaches, I did exactly what they asked me to do," said Emelianenko, in an interview with Sherdog.com after the fight (thanks to MMAMania.com for transcribing). "I went for the kill once before against Fabricio Werdum and I paid dearly for that. This time I thought I better change my strategy. Monson was a tough fighter and I was just happy that I won."

Fedor, who has lost to Dan Henderson, Antonio Silva and Werdum in his last three fights, was competing in Russia for the first time in over four years. Emelianenko was in control of "The Snowman" for the better part of the fight, but refused to go to the ground against the former UFC fighter. Talks of Emelianenko competing on the Dream New Year's Eve card have already started, with Satoshi Ishii a possible opponent.

Dana Becker is a staff writer for FightLine.com. He can be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DanaBecker.