*** He became an Orthodox believer several years ago in Diveevo
Moscow, August 10, 2011
"I accept it as God's will for me; it means that I have to go through this period, it means I need it," the fighter said in his interview with Rossiya-24 TV channel.
The fighter says that, "a person who lives with God" has no need for physiological restoration after a defeat.
Yemelianenko said he prays before each fight, and stressed that he planned to continue his career. "I'll keep on fighting," he assured.
The sportsman confessed he has never felt anger for his rival, "never exited himself, never aroused anger as some sportsmen do."
"I believe you should have great respect for your rival," he said, stressing that "a Russian person should always behave worthily, because first of all, we represent our Motherland, our country".
In answer to the question, "What is the most important thing for him?" Yemelianenko said "God the Lord, for He gave me life and family and everything. And among earthly things, the family is the most important thing we have in life. Then come work and all the rest."
He said he became a believer in Diveevo, the Nizhny Novgorod Region - a center of Orthodox pilgrimage connected with the name of St. Seraphim of Sarov.
We went there, and as many people say, Father Seraphim prayed for me. I was another man when I left the monastery. My conscience worked in a different way, I shook off everything that was vain. My questions turned out to be empty. This was three and a half years ago," the fighter said.
Yemelyanenko met with American fighter Dan Henderson on July 30, and suffered a TKO defeat in the first round.