Fedor's way day 4

Today was the first day i would go out and see true American media. It was the Strikeforce press conference. Unfortunately i didn't know what time it was and i assumed it was around noon. I got down at 10 and i heard people saying Fedor just left so i was in stress to find a way to go there. Luckily 2 guys who are high in M-1 offered me a ride to downtown Chicago baby. When i entered the room i was overwhelmed from the press. So many cameras and so many reporters i still have to get used to the huge influence mma has in the USA. I felt kind off small when i walked around with my HD hand camera. The best thing what i felt this day was that at a moment Fedor looked right in my camera and smiled. 

Afterwards he gave me a hand and a hug just like that. I am so amazed by this man and he still surprises me every day. 

Afterwards we al just hang out a little at the press conference and that was it for the day. 

The good news of the day is that Apy Echteld arrived today. A big man for Vitalskills. He is the guy who brought Fedor to Holland to train with Peter Teijsse. Fedor is still very fond of Peter and asks his opinion every day. Peter is a good friend of mine and i tell you this guy has so much potential in being one of the best stand-up coaches in the martial arts world. 

That’s it for today from tomorrow the weight-in and the last preparations start so keep following this blog!!!

Fedor's way day 2 & 3

If been here for a couple of days and im really starting to get along with everyone. I never knew the Russian culture but i can tell you this its a culture about discipline and respect. The first day i only shaked hands with Fedor and his entourage. Now when i see them we shake hands and pound each other on the back. They look me in the eyes and smile and this is when you know you got accepted. It is still a honor and a privilege to follow this guys with a camera and invade there personal life.

Fedor for me now is without a doubt the best fighter in the world. I know he is not wearing a belt but a belt is just a belt you win bouts and you get a title shot and if you good you are called the champion. But it’s very easy to take away a belt from a champion. Allot of former champions had the belts for a few fights and lost it. Fedor is a champion without a belt. Everyone knows that. This is the guy you want your kids to look up to. 

Enough about my vision on Fedor ill tell you guys about the days. Tuesday day 2 of Fedor's way was a simple day just like Monday. Just shopping. The only thing that was new to me was that it was the first time if have seen real American Fedor fans. I love how big MMA is in this country. We gotta love the USA!

The great thing about this day was the seeing of his private training. Know that it was such a honor to witness this. His training in reality is simple and old skool. He starts of alone stretching, moving around and shadowboxing. After this he continues doing some Sambo with his big Sambo trainer and after that he does some pads with his stand-up coach. It's funny that Fedor doesn’t use any high-tech equipment fancy stuff. He didn’t even had shin guards. His training had a vibe that i never felt before. Everybody was quit and just watching how the last emperor prepared for his big fight. Fedor keeps it to how it supposed to be. Hard training and no bullshit around it.

In the lobby of the hotel i met 2 guys who where big big Fedor fans. They came al the way from California to meet Fedor and get his autograph. I had a good talk with those guys because they were not obsessed but they were just big fans. I saw some other guys in the lobby who were obsessed. For example they screamed at fighters like "Hey Matt can i get a picture with you please please please"!!!! 

I posted a little interview with this 2 great guys online.

The third day was very exciting because al the fighters were finally in the hotel and the open workouts started. All the press was arrived and the circus started. No more shopping and relaxing its al about autograph's and interviews now. I am amazed about the press hunters who jumped on Fedor with no sense of respect. They put a camera into his face and just started babbling. I film Fedor but i film him with respect. I try not to bother him and just take footage without putting a camera in his face. 

Guess this is the USA. 

After this i went to Chicago downtown with some Russian friends of Fedor. He had to do formal stuff so we went out and have some fun. Little did i know that one of the guys who was with us was a 4 time Olympic gold winner. We had a blast and i tell you this trip makes me want to go to Russia because man you gotta love Russians in the USA.

Stay tuned for more!!

Fedor's way day 1

I woke up this morning at around 6:30 am thanks to the jetlag. I share a room with Peter Teijsse and this guy is amazing. I now see why Fedor wants him here. When you hang out with Peter he always got this positive vibe around him and for a reason he just motivates people. For example after breakfast i did a little cardio workout with him. Normally I’m not the cardio guy but Peter pushed me to a level i never reached before. I think Fedor sees this also.

I have never really met Fedor just shaked hands with him at a training session in Holland. This morning at breakfast was the first time i really met him and his friends. Fedor is here in Chicago with his 2 trainers, 2 of his best friends and of course his spiritual leader father Andrey. I drank a coffee with Peter and Father Andrey and i tell you this guy is amazing. He is so polite and respectful and you get this unexplainable feeling when he is around.

We al met at 11:00 pm to go shopping and just chill out and see some malls. Little did i know a nice limo was waiting in front of the hotel that was reserved for Fedor and his people. When i sat down in the limo it kind of got through me that im sitting in a limo with the best fighter in the world and his friends. 

The first stop was Toys r us to buy some toys for Fedor's newly born daughter. It is still so fascinating that a guy that has been called the baddest man on the planet, in reality a very sweet man is. 

After the toyshop we went to a big mall and a big shop that sold things like camping stuff and allot of guns.

Its only 16:00 pm now and Peter and me are relaxing. Later at five i will witness the first training of Fedor in Chicago. In the hotel the Strikeforce organization put up the training rooms and the office. It’s really starting to live around here. All the fighters are staying in this hotel and in a few days it’s going to be incredible.

Stay tuned for more!!

Fedor's way introduction

My name is Marlon Bizzo a representative of Vitalskills in Holland.

Vitalskills is a martial arts concept created 10 years ago but never continued for several reasons. 

Almost a year ago a few people revived the concept and now we are working hard to show everyone what Vitalskills is.

The reason why Vitalskills is connected to Fedor is because our trainers have worked with them. For instance our kickboks trainer Peter Teijsse and our Ground trainer Remco Pardoel have worked with Fedor during his time in Holland. But that’s not al. One of the Vitalskills founders Apy Echteld works for M-1 as manager of Fedor and other fighters. 

Fedor asked if Peter could come to Chicago to stand him by for his big fight with Dan Henderson.

This was good reason for Vitalskills to send me over to follow Peter and Fedor 5 days before his fight. I am going to be so close to Fedor and see everything that this Russian champion does 5 days before such a huge fight like this.

This is Fedor's way 

Follow this blog to know what is happening around Fedor and the Strikeforce event.