“It was a leap of joy”: Nurmagomedov on hugs with White, Porje’s heavy hit and retirement

- What are your impressions of the fight?

- Porje is one of the best fighters in the world. Not in the state, not in the weight category, but on the whole planet. Of course, I expected it to be a tough fight. I would call him a great fight.

- In the second round, you missed a few hard shots from Porrier. What did you feel at that moment?

- He hit me in the face. If I do the same to you, you will not like it. This is not to anyone's liking.

“What about Dustin?”

- A very cool opponent. He hit several times, and in the case of the first guillotine, Porrier was close to victory, it was very dense. But I expected this from him, it was part of the plan. During the second, I realized that I could take advantage of this moment. I think he left too much effort trying to strangle me.

- Was the last week difficult for you?

- It's not in one week, but in the last few years. I train very hard and without days off. Of course, the last days were also difficult - with a weight-raiser and journalists from all sides. I’m calm in the locker room, but when I went to the octagon, I felt responsible. I saw friends from the city, village, relatives, felt tension.

- Your father was in your corner for the first time during the fight in the UFC. How did it affect?

- As already said, when I go to the cage with my father, there is a feeling that I go there with a lion. My team gives me so much energy and strength ... I am glad that I was able to show such a performance in front of my father. I am here thanks to my sparring partners. We are very close with teammates and coaches. They brought me to where I am now. We won and will continue to win.

- Your teammates also took part in this tournament. How hard was it to fight them on the same show?

- It was very crushing. I could not focus. I would not like us to play at the same show. We saw the pros and cons, I think that there are more minuses. I didn’t feel the best way. But you need to talk to them and find out their opinion.

- Now your track record has 28 victories and not a single defeat. In your opinion, what does this mean?

- I do not know. Another thing is interesting. Your career record is 28: 0, you have 12 consecutive wins in the UFC. You are one of the biggest stars in your sport, but still everyone will say that you need to fight with something in order to prove something. Show respect and put me in first place in the ranking of fighters, regardless of weight categories (Pound-for-Pound. - RT ) next week. I deserve it.

- After the battle, you exchanged T-shirts with Porrier and promised to donate money from the sale of the T-shirt to his fund. Why did you decide to do this?

- It seems to me that I can sell this shirt more expensively than Porier. I have more followers on Instagram. I will transfer all the money to his fund. I heard that he is engaged in charity work. We are famous, we have money, we can help others. If you are able to distribute your money, then this is good, but if you think only about them, then this is bad. Supporting others is very important to us, even if we will only please one child.

“You jumped out of the octagon again.” Why?

- I wanted to get to my coaches, but I saw Dana first. It is soft, so I decided to land on it. This time everything was not on emotions. It was a leap of joy. If you have never competed at this level, then this is difficult to understand.

- Can we say that this has already become your chip?

- No, this must be stopped. From 2008 to 2012, I studied with children. The first thing we teach is respect. You need to respect the audience, your sparring partners, friends, especially the coach. This is what distinguishes mixed martial arts. There is such a moment ... I came to my senses and said, they say, everything, but they do not let go ( smiles ).

- UFC President Dana White said that the next contender for the title will be Tony Ferguson ...

- My next opponent is a very good steak, double cheese burger and juice with ice. I want some rest. Please give time.

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- Over the past months, it has been said about your possible duel with Georges Saint-Pierre. How do you look at it yourself?

“He's a very cool guy.” Great champion, athlete. A good example for young people. He wants to come back and add a fight with me to his legacy, he thinks he can lose weight up to 70 kg - I'm waiting for him. If Saint-Pierre likes this belt, I can give a picture with him. Ready to fight - welcome.

- Would you like to speak again at the tournament in Abu Dhabi?

- I fought everywhere - in the UAE, USA, Russia, Africa. I believe that the United Arab Emirates in general, and Abu Dhabi in particular, is the safest place in the world. I would like to speak here. I am well supported here. I hope the fans like my style, like my fight, the whole show taken together. I would love to come back here, especially since the UFC has already agreed on another show. I think I could have fought in Moscow on the 50,000th arena, or even in Africa.

- Are you really attracted by the prospect of a fight in Africa?

- Here the arena was built in two months. I think the same thing can be done in Congo, Nigeria or Sudan. Ready to fight there if the UFC wants it. Africa is in a difficult situation. There are many villages where people die because there is no water. Why not organize a tournament there?

- Is it all about the UFC?

If the promotion decides to do something similar, then I will support this idea. I can fight there with Saint-Pierre. Why not in December - January to measure strength in the Congo, and spend all the money earned on charity. In Abu Dhabi, the UFC earned about $ 50 million, and if they get $ 30 million there, then why not give them to those in need?

- Do you plan to move to another weight category and become a champion in two divisions?

- No, I'm not a welterweight, not a featherweight. I feel great in the light category. Perhaps I will rise higher, but not now. Moreover, I already have two different belts, the new one is heavier.

- After this fight, you beat Fedor Emelianenko in the number of wins in a row. Are you sure that you can hang gloves on a nail in time and leave undefeated?

- Anyone can lose. When you are born, you are weak, then you become strong. Then you grow old and weaken again. I don't think I'll be here forever. Now I am an undefeated UFC champion, but I don’t know what will happen in six months. I am currently making a story with my team. I remember when in the next room we had a room, I woke up from the sounds of training. My father taught me acrobatics how to push up correctly. Then I was four years old, now I am 30.

- What would you say to your young fans?

- Respect your parents. Be close with them. Father and mother are everything. Everything will be fine in your life if you obey them. Everything else is transitory. When you are 15-17 years old, you think you know everything. Feel the power. At such moments, you sometimes cease to respect them. But you must always remember how they raised you.