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QUOTABLES: Fedor Emelianenko discusses premature retirement talk, not considering himself a legend and more
Jul 5, 2011 - 10:05:49 AM QUOTABLES: Fedor Emelianenko discusses premature retirement talk, not considering himself a legend and more

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"I did speak of retiring and it was said in haste. After returning home, I discussed the situation with my coaches and spiritual father. After this I was absolutely sure that it is not the time for retirement and I must continue to fight. Now I'm training and preparing for the next battle with Dan Henderson. We will look at the circumstances after and evaluate then... I am human like everyone else. I don't consider my achievements as a 'legacy.' I've never considered myself as a 'legend' - just a simple man with heart. I have been blessed to have competed with success. MMA is a sport and any time you compete one person will win and one person will not. All I can do is prepare my best and everything else is God's will... I have competed as a heavyweight all my career and this contest with Dan Henderson will be in this weight class as well. I will prepare to the best of my abilities. What happens after is God's will."

-Fedor Emelianenko talks to MMAWeekly.com about prematurely speaking of retirement following his loss to Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva in February, his own take on his career and his upcoming fight with Dan Henderson.

Penick's Analysis: The subject of Fedor Emelianenko's "legend" and "legacy" has long been a hot topic amongst MMA fans, but as Emelianenko has done more and more interviews over the last several years it's become clear just how much that conversation doesn't concern "The Last Emperor." He fights because he can provide for his family and because he's had the skill to compete at a high level throughout his career, but the "legend" that grew out of his fighting success has been a product of his fans and put him on a pedestal that he really never asked to be placed upon. Now, he'll fight out the rest of his career on his own terms, and for however many fights he has left he'll hope the conversation about his "legacy" won't be overblown.