Do you do any other exercises outside?

Fedor: Yes. Nature is always more tasty. I love to do exercises outside although it has been cold. But we still run outside and do certain exercises to get the blood flowing.

Do you have to watch your weight when training?

Fedor: No not really. I am usually in pretty good shape. It is just a matter of getting into fighting shape. The training allows my body to find its natural weight for the fight.”

What are your favorite foods you have to give up while training?

Fedor: Well, there is no drinking vodka for one thing. And I can’t have any sweets.

Family:

Fedor spends most of his time with his family. He has two daughters - Marina, who is nine years old and Vasilia, who is one. He likes to play with them, take them to the zoo, take them for rides and shopping, but he particularly likes to read books to them. He has two younger brothers, Aleksander and Ivan, and an older sister, Marina. Both of his brothers have trained in MMA. His father, Vladimir, was a steel worker and his mother, Olga, was a teacher. Fedor attributes much of what he has accomplished to his mother as she always encouraged him to pursue martial arts.

Do you see your family when you are training?

Fedor: Yes. It calms me.

Is it hard to be a father having to be away from home when you are traveling for business?

Fedor: Yes. I am always looking for a department store or toy store when I am traveling so I can bring something back to my kids. I am also always talking to them on the phone.

Do your kids know what you do? Have they ever seen you fight or watched one of your fights on tape?

Fedor: My youngest is too young, but the oldest knows. She has never seen me fight however.

Best Friend/Relationships:

His best friend is Dennis, a friend since they were kids. Dennis helps him train, comes out to all of his fights and is always in his corner.

Fedor is also an acquaintance of the Former President of Russia Vladimir Putin.

What is your relationship with Vladimir Putin?

Fedor: We do not talk on a regular basis. It is just that he had seen one of my fights on TV and took an interest. Vladimir Putin has always been very kind to me and I have always appreciated his interest in my career and the sport of MMA. We have in common our love for Sambo, the National sport in Russia as well as MMA. Vladimir Putin is a black belt in Judo and a master in Sambo. I have promised him that I would always participate in Sambo if I was able to, so that I could be a role model for young people in Russia and continue the rich tradition of the sport. After I beat Matt Linland in Russia, Vladimir Putin was very kind and invited all of the fighters and their camps to the Presidential Mansion.