"Stop playing games with me": Magomedsharipov demanded from the UFC to organize his title fight with Volkanovski

Russian UFC fighter Zabit Magomedsharipov appealed to the leadership of the promotion with a demand to organize a title fight for him with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. He recalled that in a short period of time he had already changed several rivals, but not a single fight took place.

“Hey UFC, stop playing games with me! How long can you wait until you do what you promised? Before the April UFC 249 tournament, I waited first for Yair Rodriguez, then Brian Ortega, then Zombie (South Korean fighter Cheng Song Jung. - RT ). As a result, none of the fights was organized and they were told to wait for Max Holloway and Volkanovski's revenge. It passed a long time ago, let's see how you keep your word! I deserve to fight for the title and I will be able to take this belt, "Magomedsharipov wrote on Instagram.

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Post from Zabit (@zabit_magomedsharipov) Aug 6, 2020 8:04 am PDT

The compatriot was supported by the UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. He published Magomedsharipov's post on his Instagram, adding that he really deserved to fight for the title.

At the same time, the Russian fighter Eduard Vartanyan noted that the conduct of the fight depends on Magomedsharipov himself.

“The logic is simple: if the fight is interesting, it will take place. Even if you are fifth in line or tenth, but if there is interest, then you will fight. Therefore, everything here depends on Zabit. If he can promote his possible fight with Volkanovski, he will fight. Moreover, he can win this meeting ", - quotes Vartanyan" Championship ".

On August 29, Magomedsharipov was supposed to meet with Rodriguez as part of the UFC Fight Night tournament in Las Vegas. However, two days ago, the American media, citing the president of the promotion, Dana White, and the manager, Abraham Kava, reported that the Mexican received an ankle sprain and was forced to withdraw.

In mid-July, Magomedsharipov had already arrived in the United States to prepare for a fight, the winner of which could become a contender for the Volkanovski belt. In any case, this is exactly what his manager Rizvan Magomedov said. At the same time, it is strange that only a Russian officially documented his intention to enter the cage at the end of August.

“It's funny that I signed a fight contract and Yair didn't even do it. The UFC has not announced the main event of the tournament. There are two options: the promotion is playing games or Rodriguez is a coward, "commented Magomedsharipov on the cancellation of the fight.

The UFC has assured that they are looking for a new opponent. It is assumed that the Russian may again meet with Calvin Katter, over whom he prevailed in November last year. The American himself also did not mind getting even for the defeat, but this option did not suit Zabit. He challenged Volkanovski, noting that he had won the previous fight without a fight.

“Volkanovski, I know that you are a great champion and are tired of fighting Max Holloway. Let's try some new blood. I promise it will be unforgettable. Let's give the fans what they want, if you need a little time, September or October suits me, ”he said to the Australian.

Volkanovski repeatedly included Magomedsharipov, along with Jung, in the list of contenders for his belt and noted that it would be interesting for him to fight with a Russian, whom he considers "a skillful and well-rounded opponent." At the same time, his only condition was the victory of one of the fighters in the candidates' match.

The UFC champion did not cheat on himself now. In response to the challenge, he said that he was not a "replacement fighter", while expressing the hope that the meeting with the Russian would take place this year.

However, Rodriguez himself did not like that Magomedsharipov was trying to find a replacement for him and hold a title fight bypassing their meeting. He made fun of Zabit and urged him to wait for his return.

“Since when have you been doing trash-current? Is it you or your manager? In any case, both sit and wait for me like dogs, because you are the whining, with the little dogs sticking out their tongues.I'll see you in October-November in a five-round duel, ”Rodriguez said to the Russian.

Magomedsharipov has six wins in six UFC fights, in the last of which he defeated Katter. Immediately after that, manager Magomedov announced that Rodriguez could become the next opponent, with whom he was supposed to meet back in May 2018. Then the Mexican refused to meet, for which he was fired from the promotion.

The Russian hoped to fight in the UFC 249 tournament in April this year. It was assumed that Ortega could become a rival, but this fight also fell through. According to Zabit, none of the leaders in the ranking accepted his challenge.