While visiting Moscow to hold a seminar, Sem Schilt gave an exclusive interview to m1mixfight.com in which he told about the evolution of Martial Arts in the Netherlands, revealed the plans for the future and shared his feelings about some big battles against Russian MMA-fighters.

M1mixfight.com: First of all we’d like to congratulate you with the forthcoming wedding!

Semmy Schilt: Oh, thank you very much!


M1mixfight.com: The first question regards your popularity in the Netherlands? How often do people recognize you and ask for an autograph or a photo?

Semmy Schilt: I think I’m getting popular in Holland now. After I won the 3-rd K-1 Championship. A lot of people were watching it on TV. Nowadays when I walk in a big city, people recognize me and ask me for a photo together. It happens more frequently now.


M1mixfight.com: What Golden Glory fighters should the fans keep in mind? In your opiniion who's going to shoot in the international scene?

Semmy Schilt: I think Gokhan Saki is a good fighter in kickboxing. People watch him.


M1mixfight.com: Tell us about your training system. Do you use any weight lifting trainings?

Semmy Schilt: At this moment I don’t really lift weights much because the kickboxing…it’s more explosive. When I fought in MMA I did a lot more weight training as it was much more important then.


M1mixfight.com: How often do you train ММА and what aspects do you work on? What's the level of your wrestling skills and submission game? Is it improving?

Semmy Schilt: I’m not really concentrating on MMA right now. I do train a little because we got another fighter Michael Knaap who is an MMA-fighter himself. So I train with him. That’s it..But I know a few submissions and arm-locks. But in a fight it’s always different, it’s rather difficult to apply it in a fight.


M1mixfight.com: Do you plan to switch to MMA on regular basis or to participate in MMA bouts from time to time? If it's going to be permanent which organization do you have in mind to sign with? Are any negotiations going on right now?

Semmy Schilt: There are no negotiations going on now. I have a contract with K-1 which also cooperates with Hero’s (from now on DREAM) and M-1 Global I believe. Maybe there are some options so that I could participate there. Also I had a fight in Serbia which was a good experience.


M1mixfight.com: Unfortunately, we did not see the video of your fight in Belgrade. Can you describe it?

Semmy Schilt: Well, my opponent kept the distance thus not letting me reach him with the kicks or punches. Once he got closer and shortly after we got to the ground. I found myself on the bottom, then I reversed him and started to G-n-P him with and the end of the bout was there.


M1mixfight.com: What kind of martial art in your opinion relates better to ММА?

Semmy Schilt: I believe jiu-jitsu relates to MMA the most. And also of course judo and sambo which is popular in Russia. Actually I think it’s the matter of connecting the pieces of the puzzle together. There is no separate technique or style that is the best, it’s not possible. For every single situation there is the best solution and it’s not always the same style.


M1mixfight.com: Now let's talk a little about rematches. What was your impression of fight against Fedor? How badly do you want the rematch?

Semmy Schilt: Well, I don’t believe in a rematch. The match has happened long time ago, you know. I had a good fight with Fedor. I lost on points and it’s too bad. Well, I think he was the rightful winner at that moment. Maybe down the road if we fight again it’s going to be different. And for me, personally, it’s not going to be a rematch, it’s going to be a real fight again. What’s done is done. I’m not too much into chasing the best. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen


M1mixfight.com: What fight was tougher for you: Fedor Emelianenko or Sergei Kharitonov?

Semmy Schilt: Emelianenko…Fedor. Yes.


M1mixfight.com: Have you ever suffered an injury? How hard was it to recover after the fight against Sergey Kharitonov?

Semmy Schilt: How hard was it to recover?? (smiles) I didn’t have any injury in that fight, the only thing I had was black eye but nothing more. I didn’t have a cut or anything. It was just a hard fight.


M1mixfight.com: Who do you consider the best fighters in ММА in light-heavyweight and in heavyweight?

Semmy Schilt: In heavyweight I think it’s Fedor. They say a lot about the UFC, about Randy Couture and now Nogueira but I think it’s Fedor, Nogueira, Barnett, then there’s Kharitonov but these are the contenders from Pride. Then, of course, you got Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture. But it’s all about the politics, what side you are on and what you gained the most by winning from who


M1mixfight.com: Do you have a nickname that fans named you or you'd like to use yourself?

Semmy Schilt: No, I love my own name. Actually, my name is a little bit a nickname. Normal people when I meet them call me Sem but everywhere they call me Semmy. So I can say it’s my nickname now.


M1mixfight.com: Whom do you consider as the serious opponent for yourself in K-1 today?

Semmy Schilt: I don’t like to call the names but for me the serious opponent is probably Glaube Feitosa, he’s a very good fighter. My next opponent will be Jerome LeBanner against who I’m defending my world title. Any fight can be dangerous though. When guys have nothing to lose some pretty interesting situations might occur.


M1mixfight.com: How long do you plan to fight at the professional level?

Semmy Schilt: As long as my body is healthy.


M1mixfight.com: What do you think are the reasons of Ruslan Karaev's poor performance recently?

Semmy Schilt: What I think? In my opinion I don’t Ruslan very well, but I think he’s a big talent. But his management doesn’t work as it should. When you suffered a big KO loss you have to take some rest. But I guess in his case he had a contract that he had to finish off so they made a wrong decision. I think it’s not his fault, it’s the fault of his management or the contract with K-1 was too harsh. When you have a KO loss and then you have another KO loss you have to think more than twice and you have to be smarter than that.


M1mixfight.com: How do you see the future of ММА, K-1 and boxing? Which of them is the most and the least perspective?

Semmy Schilt: Now in Holland kickboxing is getting more appreciating. First you had boxing but people now learn about kickboxing and they like it. But MMA is a little bit too hard and rough sport which is something people dislike. We have still a long time to go until people accept MMA because sometimes it can be brutal. But I’m glad kickboxing grows now and after that MMA is coming. Also there is a problem regarding kickboxing as certain criminal activities are involved there.


M1mixfight.com: Do you watch UFC events? Have you watched UFC 81? What do you think of Antonio Nogueira’s victory?

Semmy Schilt: I watched the bout. I think it was a very good fight. Nogueira took some beating but eventually he submitted Tim Sylvia. I haven’t watched other fights from UFC 81.


M1mixfight.com: What are your thoughts on Dana White's repeated statements that Fedor doesn't deserve to be even in top-5?

Semmy Schilt: (smiles) I think it’s a very American way to provoke guys. Fedor beat Coleman who didn’t get any chance but even Nogueira didn’t have a chance. The fact Fedor takes it easy now I can’t blame him. You have to think about your body, not only about the money.


M1mixfight.com: It's a well-known fact that you was one of the eight fighters to participate in the Finals of K-1 2002. You had to face Bob Sapp then. However shortly before the tournament you left the finals. Officially you suffered a shoulder injury. The question is whether it was a real injury or had you been a victim of some backstage intrigues because K-1 wanted to see the rematch of Ernesto Hoost and Bob Sapp?

Semmy Schilt: I don’t know what people say but I suffered an injury big time.


M1mixfight.com: Well and last question, does Semmy Schilt intend to become the first ever 4-time K-1 champion?

Semmy Schilt: The intention is definitely there. I’m not retired yet although some Dutch magazines suggested so