Mikhail Zayats: “Linhares is pretty weak in his standup…”

On Aug. 1 at Affliction and M-1’s “Trilogy” event, a long-anticipated M-1 Challenge rematch between Mikhail Zayats and Lucio Linhares will take place.

Zayats won the first meeting between the two during the ‘08 M-1 Challenge season via decision, however, the victory did not come without controversy. Several pundits in attendance believed that Linhares should have gotten the nod from the judges and the fact that the event was held in Russia somehow affected the scoring.

At “Trilogy,” the two will meet again in a middleweight matchup that could serve to determine who is the top pound-for-pound fighter in all of the M-1 Challenge.

A member of Fedor Emelianenko’s Team Imperial, Zayats has been training side-by-side with Emelianenko as the two prepare for their respective bouts at “Trilogy.” M-1Global.com recently had the opportunity to speak with Zayats as he prepares for the biggest fight of his career.

M-1 Global.com: How did you begin your career as an athlete?

Mikhail Zayats: Back in 2000 during my duty in Army I started competing in hand-to-hand combat. This period I consider the dawn of my sports career.

M-1 Global.com: You’ve got solid wrestling skills. How did you develop them?

Mikhail Zayats: Living in Bryansk I used to practice freestyle wrestling. Consequently I moved to Penza and that’s where I got introduced to sambo. During my college years I won European jiu-jitsu championship held in Poland.

M-1 Global.com: What’s your goal in MMA?

Mikhail Zayats: To compete at the highest level possible. To become a champion. To be the first.

M-1 Global.com: How did you transition to MMA?

Mikhail Zayats: I liked that you can mix up striking with wrestling. It’s a huge adrenaline boost when you enter the ring, it’s comparable to parachute jump.

M-1 Global.com: You’ve been fighting in M-1 Challenge and now Affliction awaits you. How significant is this for you?

Mikhail Zayats: This is a big step forward for me. I’d even say it’s two steps in one.

M-1 Global.com: You have already fought Lucio Linhares at light heavyweight. Now you are going to rematch at middleweight. How is the dropping down in weight going on?

Mikhail Zayats: Usually I weigh around 90 kg so it’s safe to say I fare between these two weight categories. At the moment I limited my ration and already tip the scale at 87 kg. It’s going pretty well actually. I feel great.

M-1 Global.com: What do you think of your opponent and how do you prepare for the rematch?

Mikhail Zayats: Linhares is pretty weak in his standup but is extremely agile on the ground. (He) moves a lot (and) prevents you from striking. So that’s why we practice a lot of ground game.

M-1 Global.com: Don’t you personally believe it would be better for you to fight at middleweight?

Mikhail Zayats: No, I don’t think so. It all depends on your opposition. Cutting weight on a regular basis takes its toll on your health which leads to some certain problems. I intend to fight in middleweight only at the highest level but test myself against light heavyweight in less significant tournaments.

M-1 Global.com: You’re currently in the midst of a two fight losing streak. How does that impact you before your upcoming fight?

Mikhail Zayats: Losing to the Korean (Jae Young Kim) guy in February bothers me a lot. As for the Brazilian opponent, I don’t think I lost that bout. I’m sure I would have won if they would allow us to continue in the additional round. However, we analyzed my past performances and came up with improvement plan.

M-1 Global.com: In your recent fights you’ve preferred standup to the ground. How come?

Mikhail Zayats: Well, I feel comfortable in both aspects. The things we exercise in practice, I’m not always able to execute them in a real fight as well… That’s why I preferred to stand. I want to grow in all the aspects to be capable of dominating my opponent wherever the fight goes. Or when I can’t seem to win on the ground I dominate him in the standup.

M-1 Global.com: Right now you are in the training camp in Stary Oskol. How much do you train?

Mikhail Zayats: As of now we train 2 -2 1/2 hours a day, run much, work on strength. This will end in 10 days. After one week of rest will start working on speed and fighting combinations.

M-1 Global.com: How do you like to spend your spare time?

Mikhail Zayats: Well, I spend it at the sea with my family.

M-1 Global.com: So you are a family man, right?

Mikhail Zayats: Yeah, I’m married with a daughter who’s 2 and 1/2 years old.

M-1 Global.com: What’s your wife’s attitude towards your MMA career?

Mikhail Zayats: Of course she worries that I’m absent for long periods of time. But she understands it. When I come back home I dedicate all my time to her and our family.