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[nezlam1]

Fedor's Striking Coach: Fedor Has Slowed, But Still Fastest Heavyweight -- MMA FanHouse

Fedor Emelianenko compensates for diminishing speed with his ever-increasing experience, says Alexander Michkov, the Strikeforce and M-1 Global heavyweight's striking coach of nearly 10 years.

In an interview published on the official Russian-language M-1 Global website, Michkov made some interesting remarks on how the aging process has played on Fedor.

"With regard to age, it certainly has an effect," he said, translated. "To some extent, a decrease in high speed performance, but this is offset by experience."

Michkov admitted he is less wary of Fedor's "lightning" fast hand speed when holding pads for him than he would have been several years back, but believes Fedor's movement is still better than anyone in the heavyweight division.

"Now the speed, of course, is a little slower, but -- knock on wood -- continues to be enough for Fedor to win," Michkov said. "There's a reduction in speed, but his combination of attacks have grown. And, in my opinion, to date, he remains the fastest heavyweight."

Michkov has been Fedor's striking coach ever since Fedor began competing MMA. When asked if Fedor would have been successful had he chosen to become a professional boxer, Michkov, who carries a Russian title of "Masters of Sports" in boxing, said Fedor could, but MMA was a better avenue considering that it would have been a sin to disregard Fedor's background in Sambo and Judo.

[Bloodbeard]

Dos Santos is the fastest!

[mma #1 fan]

I have a bridge to sell any of you that believe this

[GFB]

I bet he moves buckets of steam on the side...

[TheKidInside]

what exactly is so unbelievable? obviously you slow down with age but he has enormous experience against some of the best strikers not to mention his amazing ground game. he's still in his prime even if he is a bit slower...taken with a grain of salt

[Diegonightmare]

I don't know why all the cynicism in this thread either. Speaking in terms of overall speed, I would say Fedor is in fact the fastest heavyweight. It's a very tired cliche to say "a heavyweight that moves like a middleweight", but Fedor is exactly that.

Cain Velasquez is also very quick and nimble for a heavyweight. Brock Lesnar, for all his size, is surprisingly quick too. But I think Fedor is faster and more nimble (especially if you are considering all "theaters of action" of MMA) than these guys.

In terms of pure hand speed, I think Arlovski or possibly Overeem is faster.

[Pasha K]

I dont know, maybe he is a bit slower, but that right punch against Rogers was extremely fast.

[GL Jeff]

With the way Fedor throws his punches, his speed is increased. Its kinda like a windmill. I think Fedor has the fastest hands in the HW division. But I think Brock is faster overall, that guy moves sooo fast, ask Heath.

[Vla001]

Guys, Fedor has definitely slowed down...

But... Fedor has never been only about the speed, he has always been about the TIMING. He is able to throw those ridiculous overhands because he times them so well. He sizes opponents up, times them, and then commits EVERYTHING to one punch. Look at his recent fights: with Arlovski, he was struggling to time him at first, then as AA was about to jump into that flying knee Fedor is already throwing a punch. The same with Rogers: he misses one overhand right at first, but that's ok, he times the next one perfectly. As Rogers is about to throw his punch, Fedor commits everything and catches him on the button at exactly the right moment.

Fast fighters don't need perfect timing because they can overcome it with sheer speed. Fedor just anticipates where his opponent is going to be in 1-2 seconds - That's EXPERIENCE. You can be the slowest fighter in the world, if you can anticipate where your opponent will be in 5 seconds you can KO anybody.

[KevoOnTheRadio]

Fedor is slow old and done!! Brock would kill him with his speed!! Hang on a sec....*slaps myself*. Yea, slowing down, he's still faster then 98% of the HW out there. He's the best (around) nothin's ever gonna keep him down. $10 to the guy who names that song.