Q: One of the unfortunate disappointments that happened in your last fight was your injury: broken finger, which you already had surgery on more than a year ago. According to the international norms, after such injury you can talk about coming back not earlier than over half a year. Does that mean that you will not be competing anymore in 2008?

A: To tell you the truth, I don't feel strong pain. My hand is healing; let's hope that everything will come together. But my next event is planned for November; in St. Petersburg there will be a World Championship in Combat Sambo.

Q: You don't plan to take part in "Affliction 2" in October?

A: I would like to compete at Affliction 2, but so far I'm not sure if that will happen.

Q: Your brother Aleksander was supposed to compete in the past Affliction event. What was the reason they would not let him in the ring? Many are afraid, that a similar situation will repeat during next event.

A: I cannot comment in any way on this situation. Aleksander really was removed from competing because of some blood analyzes. So I cannot really say anything.

Q: Last couple of years you don't train with your brother; he moved to live in St. Petersburg, and your training sessions are mainly held in Stary Oskol. Are there any plans to restart joint training sessions?

A: It is more convenient and better for me to train in Stary Oskol, but this does not sit well with Aleksander at all. As far as I understood from his latest interviews, he likes it in St. Petersburg, and he's not planning to leave it for any training sessions.

Q: A big support group has flown with you to America. How important is that for you?

A: It is important for me, of course, when close people are near; those who always support me, worry and pray for me. It's sad that not everyone got a chance to come, but despite that it was nice to see the guys who are rooting for me at the arena.

Q: Do you have any plans to fly to Beijing, to support Russian athletes?

A: Unfortunately, my plans are turning out in such a way, that I will not be able to go to Beijing. Although I would love to.

Q: Among the organizers of the Affliction event there is this world renowned manufacturer of styled clothing, done in gothic style. Even you came out in an Affliction T-Shirt. Do you prefer such "brave" style of clothing?

A: I prefer more of a simple style. Although, I do like Affliction style of clothing very much, it's convenient, comfortable. All the symbols of the Orthodox Church were present on my shirt, so I decided to wear it while coming out to the ring.

Q: In one of the recent interviews you talked about a project "Fighting Fedor"... Were the participant casted already? When will it start?

A: This question is for Vadim Finkelstein - he takes care of this project. I don't know any exact dates.

Q: What are your upcoming plans?

A: I'm flying to America right now to take part in a press conference. Also we have negotiations with the Affliction firm.

Translated by stripthesoul