MOSCOW, November 14 (R-Sport, Ivan Tugarin) - Taking the fight to the canvas is Jeff Monson's key to victory in Thursday's mixed martial arts showdown against Alexander Emelianenko, the American star told R-Sport.
Monson lost to Emelianenko's older brother Fedor a year ago in Moscow, and now faces his less decorated younger brother at the M1 Challenge 35 tournament in St. Petersburg.
"I expect a tough fight tomorrow with such a mentally tough guy. I have to bring my best fight," Monson said. "If I do what I'm capable of, then I'll feel confident. I'm good, I have no injuries, I trained really hard and I feel myself pretty confident.
Monson gives away six inches in height to the six-foot-five Emelianenko, which all but dictates his tactics for the fight.
"Alexander uses his height advantage, a lot of jabs and hooks. His best is standing up, he's got really quick feet," the 41-year-old fighter told R-Sport.
"His strongest side is standing up, so I'll try to go to the ground of course. I just want to win. Of course a knock out would be great, because you never want to leave it in the judges’ hands."
Monson is also seven kilos lighter than his opponent after the official weigh-in, but denied this would be a factor come fight time.
"I don't really care, it doesn't make any difference. There is a heavyweight category and that is all what matters. I never count those kilograms", said Emelianenko.
The last time Monson was in Russia, for a submission win over Denis Komkin in June, he surprised many in the crowd by coming out to the Soviet national anthem.
Monson, known for his communist political views, claimed that he won't repeat the stunt this time around, but vowed to use a Russian song.
"I think it [the Soviet anthem] is a good song, but I also think you can use it only once. Will I make some surprise tomorrow? It'll be a Russian song, people know what it is. It will never beat the USSR anthem, but it’s a good song."
The M1 Challenge 35 celebrates 15 years of MMA in Russia. Aside from the main event, the fight card also features three title fights and two M1 Selection fights.
