Uzbek fighter Makhmud Muradov (25-8) got his UFC career off to a good start with three straight wins, but then suffered two consecutive losses. His upcoming fight against Bryan Barberena (18-10) on July 22 in London could be his career-defining moment.
In an exclusive interview with Telecomasia.net, Muradov talks about:
- the reasons for his defeats and underestimating his opponents;
- starting his own promotion and promoting Uzbek fighters around the world;
- Nursultan Ruziboev's UFC debut and his prospects;
- his readiness to fight Muslim fighters;
- the talents and quirks of former UFC champion Jiří Procházka.
"I only have myself to blame for my defeats"
- How has your life and career changed since you returned to Uzbekistan from the Czech Republic?
- I live both in the Czech Republic and in Uzbekistan. Nothing has changed here.
- But in one of the interviews you said that you could not extend your visa and that you were going back to your home country.
- They did not give me a visa, but then they changed their mind and gave it to me (laughs). Now I'm doing well. I have my own league, we've had seven tournaments. People like it, they are excited about it. The last tournament was in January, and now people are waiting for us to continue.
I've put everything aside now, I'm concentrating on my training and preparing for the fight. Unfortunately I have two defeats and I need to win.
We had good training in Poland and the Czech Republic. Now I'm ready for the fight. My opponent prefers stand-up fighting, which is good. Bryan Barberena likes clinch fighting, and I also started with the stand-up, so I think it will be a great fight.
- Have you already thought about your two defeats? What mistakes did you make?
- Of course, I was the only one who made mistakes. I'm the only one to blame. I lost the first fight against Gerald Meerschaert because I underestimated him. I prepared well, but my plan for the fight was not the right one. I just had to stay calm and keep going like I always do. And what I did was trying to finish him with every punch because I had won the previous two fights by knockout and got bonuses. This time I wanted to win by knockout too, but I underestimated him. And I paid for it: at some point my legs just stopped working.
I was close in the second fight. Caio Borralho is a very good fighter, which he proved with Gadzhi Omargadzhiev and Armen Petrosyan, he won against other tough fighters.
I should have focused on training like I'm doing now to prepare for my upcoming fight.
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- What motivated you to start your own promotion? Is it for business or more of a social project?
- It's definitely not a business. I created it for the people, for the MMA fans. There are a lot of them, but there was no good organization. Only recently, four or five years ago, an MMA association was founded in Uzbekistan, and in this short time a lot of things have changed for MMA. Our sport officially exists thanks to Otabek Umarov.
"I'm ready to hold a joint tournament with Khabib's league in Uzbekistan"
- Not all young fighters can get into the UFC right away. Do you consider promoting the best fighters from your league to other top promotions?
- The first fighter from my club fights in ONE. I signed Ramazon Temirov to RIZIN, there are two other fighters who will fight in Europe. In Kazakhstan my fighters are in Naiza and Octagon. One of our guys will fight in RCC league in Russia and another one in the MMA Series. There are a lot of Uzbek fighters competing all over the world. I will try to sign Temirov either in Dana White's Contender or in the UFC.
- Khabib Nurmagomedov's Eagle FC league has recently been holding tournaments in Central Asia. Are you considering the possibility of cooperating with them and holding a joint tournament in Uzbekistan?
- Everything is possible. It depends on the offers. I am open for cooperation and joint tournaments.
- Recently, your compatriot Nursulton Ruziboev successfully debuted in the UFC and has already got his second fight. What do you think about his potential and talent?
- You can't tell after one or two fights that he's going to be a champion. When I had three wins in a row, everyone said I was a future champion. His attitude and his plans are the most important thing.
I still have plans to get into the top 15 and even higher, but he proposes, God disposes and gives us what we deserve.
Nursulton has a rich history in MMA. He is experienced, he has had over 50 fights. He did very well in his first fight, let's see how he will do against Caio in November. If he prepares well and doesn't go to the ground, he can win. It won't be easy, but he will win.
"I will refuse to fight with a compatriot, but fighting with a Muslim is no problem"
- You fought twice with Abus Magomedov. Would you like to fight him again?
- One time I didn't have a visa, but I knew I would get one. However, the UFC said they didn't want to risk it and canceled the fight. The second time I hurt my hand. You can see it's still swollen. If they offer me a third time, I'll take it. I have never refused, and I have never chosen my opponents. If they offer, I will fight with anyone, even you (laughs).
- Usually Muslim fighters prefer not to fight each other. Do you have any limitations?
- I do not want to fight with my brothers, but this is a sport. The UFC doesn't take rejection very well. If you say no to them, they can ban you for six months or a year. That's our job. We knew where we were going. But if they tell me to fight Nursulton, I will refuse. He is my compatriot, why do I need it? Two Uzbeks in the strongest promotion will find someone else to fight. It's not that he's better than me and can beat me, it's just that there are a lot of Americans, Brazilians, Europeans in this league. There are a lot of guys you can fight at 185 pounds.
- There's a title fight at your weight between the two African guys who have really hyped it up with their dispute over who's the real African. Who benefits more from this kind of trash talk, Israel Adesanya or Dricus du Plessis?
- To be honest, I haven't even followed their debate. I know du Plessis because he fought in KSW, beat Roberto Soldić once and lost to him once. I don't follow these discussions that much. I don't care who says what. Let them get in the octagon and prove their point.
Bet on MMA with 1xBet"Ankalaev is the most uncomfortable opponent for Prochazka"
- How is Jiří Procházka recovering? Is he ready to fight for the vacant title and who could be his opponent?
- We've discussed this with his coach recently. Jiří is completely healthy now. They wanted the fight in October, but November would be the best time because he's already started preparing, but there's no opponent.
- Could it be Magomed Ankalaev?
- I think Ankalaev won't get a title shot right away because of the long layoff. They can give Procházka the winner of the fight between Jan Błachowicz and Alex Pereira, but in that case it will be difficult for him to get ready again in two-three months. If Pereira wins, he might jump right back into it because he's crazy. A fight with Pereira would be a very good option for Procházka.
- Who would be the most uncomfortable opponent for Procházka?
- Ankalaev, because he can both punch and wrestle. I have sparred with Procházka and I know his endurance and versatility. He's an unusual fighter and you don't know what to expect from him. I've worked with a lot of people and traveled the world a lot, but he's one of a kind.
- I saw him fight Abdul-Kerim Edilov in Moscow and he lost quickly. How did he improve so significantly?
- Yeah, he has already knocked out everybody at RIZIN, including Vadim Nemkov. He's really stepped up to the next level. Jiří can lock himself in a dark room for three days with no food and only drink water. He's a strange person. Sometimes he comes to the practice, sits there for half an hour and says, "I'm taking your aura. It helps me." All right, take it. If it works for him, why not?
- Is it easier for you to prepare for the upcoming fight in Europe when you don't have long flights and acclimatization?
- Yeah, it's a lot more comfortable. A lot of my friends will come because it's a two hour flight from Prague. I am very happy that I am fighting in London. There are many Uzbeks here. God willing, this fight will go well and I will win without any injuries. And then I would like to fight again before the end of the year.
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