“For Khabib, the belt now is just a piece of iron”: Muradov on canceling Nurmagomedov’s fight, UFC 249 tournament and quarantine in Prague

- The Absolute Fighting Championship published the card of the UFC 249 tournament , in which you did not have a duel with Karl Roberson. How long have you learned that you don’t perform at an upcoming show?

- On Sunday. We have been negotiating with the UFC on this issue. But the fact is that my team cannot fly to the USA from the Czech Republic.

- Until the end of last week, did you actively train?

- Yes, I was ready. Weight has almost been made. I had to drive only four - five kilograms.

- The UFC said that they are counting on you in the near future?

- Oh sure. They assured that as soon as everything settles down, they will say when we can fight. I have a good relationship with the UFC. He spent two fights, after which he signed contracts for the next four bouts. At the same time, the whole process took about half an hour - did not even look with whom to meet. Anyway, I never chose rivals. It's funny that before that I went out twice on a short notice, and as soon as it became possible to hold a full two-month camp, the fight was canceled.

- You were told where the show will be held?

- On some island, but where exactly - they didn’t specify. We were simply asked if we could fly to the USA, if there would be any problems. We replied that we will not succeed. The situation is similar to the one in which Khabib Nurmagomedov found himself.

- How did you react to the cancellation of your fight?

- Now you need to think about health. People are dying, and we will think, how can we get to America? This is silly.

- Is it really easier for the UFC to organize a tournament on some private island than to agree with one of the states or a European country?

- In Europe they will not allow it. As for the island, White has all the conditions for this — familiar, connected. Perhaps some fan of mixed martial arts leased this land to him. In addition, Dana has the phone of US President Donald Trump. I do not think that difficulties will arise with the organization.

- Do you support the idea of ​​holding a show in the midst of the cornavirus pandemic?

- In my opinion, this is wrong. I would cancel all tournaments, wait a couple of months.

- Do not you think that the UFC wants to give people at least some reason to distract from problems and enjoy their favorite sport again?

- It seems to me, first of all, the UFC sees an opportunity to make money. NHL, NBA, NFL - everything is banned, and the Absolute Fighting Championship will now be in sight. As a result, everyone will watch exactly his broadcasts. Yes, this is a plus for us. But I wouldn’t do that in spite of the fact that I am performing in this promotion.

- Do you know anything about the plans of the championship for the future?

- As far as I understand, in the near future the UFC plans to regularly hold tournaments on this island. I read that the show will be arranged once a week.

- Is it possible in such conditions?

- If UFC 249 is successful, then anything is possible.

- Suppose, after a couple of weeks you will be invited to speak. Do you agree?

- It all depends on the offer. But there is no strong desire. For me, the health of my family and friends is more expensive than a fight.

- Recently, White said that he intends to collect one of the most stellar cards in the history of the promotion. Can the membership of UFC 249 be called this?

- No, in my opinion, a supercard would be with Habib. Like me, many were waiting for this fight.

- Who would win the battle of Habib and Tony?

- I am sure Nurmagomedov would have prevailed over Ferguson. He is on a different level. There is currently no one close to him. I don’t think that anything will change in the next two years. And after that he will calmly end his career with a record of 30: 0, or there will be even more victories.

- During a press conference Ferguson promised to show how they fight on the street. What do you think, in a real fight, would Tony surpass Habib?

- I often go to America, this does not happen there. I think in Dagestan with street fights it is tougher than in the USA. I myself have not been, but I have friends who told me about this. So in place Tony would not call himself a gangster.

- Is Habib a gangster?

“I would not say that.” But our streets are still a little different than in the United States.

- Due to the refusal to speak at UFC 249 Nurmagomedov, many considered a coward. How did you feel about this?

- A man has 28 victories over his career in mixed martial arts. It is foolish to blame him for cowardice. I don’t think that an athlete can enter a cage and be afraid of something. I have been watching his career for many years. He went for a long time to this and became the best fighter in the largest MMA promotion in the world.

- At the same time, he takes second place in the ranking of fighters, regardless of the weight categories according to the UFC ...

- In my opinion, he is much better than John Jones - both as a person and as a fighter. He surpasses him in everything.

- Perhaps, refusing to fly to the USA, Nurmagomedov put the health of his family at the forefront?

- Oh sure. He has children, parents, a wife. He should think about them, not about fighting. Nurmagomedov is an example for many people. At such a moment, it would be wrong to leave our relatives and go to fight.

- In April 2018, Nurmagomedov entered the championship fight with Al Yakvinta, despite Ferguson’s injury, the change of opponents and McGregor’s attack on the bus. Do not you think that he would have performed this time, if the title stood at stake?

- No. For Habib, the belt now is just a piece of iron. Everyone already knows who the real and undisputed champion is.

- In the current conditions, did Nurmagomedov have the opportunity to perfectly prepare for the battle?

“I know, not by myself.” It’s hard to train at full strength when you don’t know if the show will take place at all. For Habib, this fight was supposed to be the most serious in his career.

“But what about his battle with McGregor?”

“I don't compare Tony with Conor.” 12 consecutive wins speak for themselves.

“Now Ferguson will meet with Justin Gatgi.” Do not you think that Tony agreed in vain for this fight, because in fact he doesn’t gain anything in case of success?

- When you had a full training, then it doesn’t matter to you who to fight with. You just need to enter the cage. In addition, in case of victory, he guarantees himself a meeting with Nurmagomedov.

- But it may happen that in the summer McGregor will win another victory, and the UFC will be enough of this to once again call him the first challenger ...

- Everything can happen, but questions will already be for promotion. Personally, I'm glad that it is Gatgy who will fight Ferguson. Initially, I thought that McGregor would be replaced. But in this case, the UFC lost the opportunity to organize another high-profile duel.

- What do you have in mind?

- Matchmakers can first arrange a duel between Ferguson and Nurmagomedov, and only then bring his winner to McGregor.

- Whom do you consider to be the favorite in the battle of Ferguson and Gage?

“I think Justin will have a better chance of winning in the first two rounds.” But if the fight drags on, then the advantage will be on the side of Tony. I am sure he prepared responsibly for this tournament. In battles with Habib, there is no other way, because he is a car. I will give preference to Ferguson. Still, I would very much like to see his meeting with Nurmagomedov in the future.

- Still hoping this fight will take place?

- Sure. This will happen. I do not believe in curses.

- You said that in the current conditions it was impossible to train properly. What has changed in your preparation process?

- My training was supposed to last 40 days, instead I returned to the Czech Republic in less than three weeks. Here, under quarantine conditions, I had two sparring partners and two trainers. It was very hard, but I still continued to work. Could enter the cage.

- What is the current situation with the coronavirus in the Czech Republic?

- As in the whole world - quarantine has been introduced. It's Complicated.

- Unlike many athletes, you take this threat very seriously ...

- Responsibly approach this. I have a family that I love. I often try not to go outside, only occasionally get out for a run. I live in Prague, a quarter of an hour from the center by car. Around the forest, nature. Now is the time that you can only help the state while sitting at home. Wrong to walk around the city, fry kebabs.

- Do you see this too?

- It happens. Some people approach this irresponsibly. Everyone has their own values.

- Does the state somehow struggle with this?

- Of course, sanctions have been imposed. If you go out without a mask - a fine of € 500. Depending on the severity of the violation, the amount grows.

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Publication by Makhmud “Mach” Muradov (@makhmud_muradov) Apr 5, 2020 at 8:05 PDT

- Now many athletes often offer colleagues to participate in any challenges. And one of the most talked about recently launched Cristiano Ronaldo. Did not think to join?

- I have not seen Chris Challenge yet. In general, I am a fan of him, but I missed this post. Recently I have been talking a lot with fans, so there’s not enough time for everything. I try to conduct live broadcasts, to cheer people up.

- How?

- Connecting fans to the broadcast. Perhaps someone wants to ask a question, wish for something, take a picture with me at least in this way.

- Sympathy for Ronaldo is based on club affiliation?

- I like him as a football player. As for the teams, I am a fan of Real, Chelsea and Juventus.

- Because of quarantine, you probably have a lot of free time. What did you do besides training?

- I dug up the garden. Spending time with the help of computer games.

- Which ones?

- Dota.

- Do not play in the UFC?

- No. When they add me to it, I’ll think about it.

- Everyone knows that you are close friends with Floyd Mayweather. He told how things are with the coronavirus in the United States?

- Yes. Deducted a couple of days ago. He said to be careful.

- Did this situation somehow affect him?

- He now has such a difficult period in his life. First, the ex-wife died, and then the uncle.

- At the end of last year, Dana White and Floyd reported that they were working on organizing the next match with Mayweather, but after that there was no news on this topic. Do you know anything about this?

- I did not speak with Floyd about this. He said that a big fight was being prepared, but without details.

- Do not you think that Nurmagomedov could be a rival?

- Habib will not agree.

- After all, he himself proposed to conduct 11 rounds according to the rules of boxing and one - according to MMA ...

- That would be the right decision, but this will not happen. Floyd will not go to mixed martial arts.