“I would like to be remembered as a good person”: Magomedsharipov on his career in the UFC and the fight with Kattar

“In Russia, fighting more responsibly”

On November 9, Russian MMA fighter Zabit Magomedsharipov will fight with American Calvin Kattar. This fight was supposed to take place in October, but the Russian was forced to withdraw due to illness. Then the promotion managers proposed to hold it as part of the Moscow UFC Fight Night tournament.

“Honestly, fighting in Russia is more responsible. Therefore, from a psychological point of view, it would be easier for me to conduct this battle in the United States. At times, something distracting at home is not always possible to concentrate. Although they recognize me in America too, ”Magomedsharipov said in an interview on the UFC Russia Youtube channel.

Currently, the fighter is engaged in weight loss. He prepared for the fight at a training camp in the United States under the leadership of Mark Henry. According to him, this place was not chosen by chance.

“My friends trained there, so I decided to go to them. A large number of good sparring partners, such as Frankie Edgar, Eddie Alvarez, also played a role. We have three or four rooms in which you can practice different types of martial arts, ”explained the Russian.

The previous battle of Magomedsharipov took place in early March. Then, by unanimous decision, he defeated American Jeremy Stevens. The Russian noted that this victory was not easy for him because of the difference in rating.

“Until that moment, I never fought with top fighters. Many wanted to see how I show myself, I felt responsibility. Therefore, the duel did not go exactly according to the scenario that I was counting on, as the coaches decided that I better not risk it. Only in the end he began to act more actively when he realized that he was tired. But the main thing is victory, ”said the athlete.

According to Magomedsharipov, Kattar is a strong opponent with heavy blows. At the same time, he does not believe that this fight will bring him significant career advancement.

“Kelvin’s everything is in order both with the fight and with the defense, he has good technique and feels the distance. Yes, he is the 11th rating number, so I would not say that a fight with him is a big step forward for me, but at that time all the top fighters were busy, so the managers decided that we need to agree to avoid downtime, ” he explained.

At the same time, the main goal for the Khasavyurt native remains the featherweight champion belt. Yair Rodriguez is called the most preferred opponent, the fight with which was supposed to take place in September 2018. However, the Mexican was forced to withdraw due to injury.

“Rodriguez and I have an unfinished story, and I think we will meet with him sooner or later. In the meantime, I am focused on the fight with Kattar. But I’m tuning in to the fact that next year I’ll be able to fight for the belt, ”added Magomedsharipov.

“In the USA, the more they talk about you, the faster they will sign you”

Magomedsharipov joined the UFC in May 2017. Until that moment, he fought under the auspices of the Russian promotion ACB. The athlete admitted that initially he was not attracted to mixed martial arts, but he preferred kickboxing.

According to Zabit, the signing of the first contract with the American promotion could fail, as the process dragged on. For six months, he only trained and acted as a sparring partner for the current representatives of the UFC. A call from the manager rang at the moment when he intended to return to his homeland and even bought a plane ticket.

It is worth noting that it was Henry who actively contributed to reaching an agreement with the UFC.

“Mark liked the way I trained, the way I sparred with the club’s top fighters. It was clear that I really wanted to get into this promotion. Therefore, he began to actively talk about me in the media. Because in the USA, the more they talk about you, the faster they will sign you, ”the Russian explained.

The first fight of Magomedsharipov in the UFC took place in September 2017. He defeated American Mike Santiago with a stranglehold.

“At that time I did not fight for a whole year, so I really wanted to show myself. He was hungry for victories, even excitement was not felt. But the battle was easier than I thought. It’s usually hard to change to another league, to other people. But everything was different here, ”he said.

It is interesting that in childhood Magomedsharipov was fond of not only martial arts, but football. However, he did not have the opportunity to engage in them at a high level. Then his parents sent him to the closed school "Five cardinal points", where he met with Wushu Sanda.

“This is not an easy school. The training took place three to four times a day, there were mentors and teachers. It was strictly forbidden to leave the territory, for three violations could be excluded. Although I managed to run away, because I was very smart. I do not regret getting there, because this educational institution gave me a lot, ”the soldier recalled.

He admitted that he had already mastered in the United States, which is facilitated by progress in learning English, and even allows the possibility of moving there. At the same time, at least several times a year he needs to return to his homeland.

“It's comfortable there, nice people. However, a person is drawn to where his relatives and friends live. Therefore, I could live, but I would definitely return to Russia. Honestly, I don’t like to be in one place for a long time, it’s boring. Therefore, frequent transfers and fees are easy for me. I also love cars, speed. From America I ordered a Dodge. They brought him a week ago, I hope that I’ll pick it up after the battle. Such a gift to myself, ”said the fighter.

According to Magomedsharipov, the main mistake of many athletes is that they were initially afraid to lose. He himself tries to calmly relate not only to defeats, but also to victories.

“I don’t have the long joy of victory. Everything lasts just a couple of minutes. When you have been in sports for a long time, this feeling is dulled. Previously, I could enjoy for several weeks, celebrate with relatives, now this is not. In general, I would like to be remembered as a good person, and not as a sports legend, ”concluded Magomedsharipov.