“Conor went too far with words about Dagestan”: Khanozhko about the shocking McGregor, the fight with Khabilov and the fight of the Emelianenko brothers

- On Saturday you will meet with Rustam Khabilov. What does it mean for you to be a participant in the first purely Russian confrontation in the history of the UFC?

- I don’t particularly focus on this, but overall it’s nice to be part of the story. For me, this is a chance to remember something in the UFC, but it would be even better to prevail in this battle.

- How is this fight different from the battle with foreign fighters?

- I am equally attuned to fights with all fighters, regardless of nationality. Earlier, I already fought with the Russians, so there is nothing new for me.

- But now this is happening in the UFC ...

- What's the difference? When the cell closes, you forget about who you are, where and with whom. You focus solely on your opponent. Therefore, the status of the fight does not put much pressure on me.

- Did the UFC offer you a duel with Khabilov, or did you yourself put forward this idea?

- The manager said that I have the opportunity to fight with Rustam. On the same day, I agreed.

- Do not hesitate?

- I discussed this idea with a coach, a team, after which I gave a positive answer. Around noon, I was offered this fight, and in the evening I agreed.

- Did the UFC offer you other rivals?

- No.

- Khabilov himself enthusiastically accepted the idea of ​​a duel with his compatriot ...

- Everyone has their own opinion. If he didn’t like it, then what can you do. He may criticize this fight, but on Saturday we will enter the cage. I think that after the gong we will discuss everything and forget about this unpleasant incident.

- At the same time, Khabilov’s discontent was due to the fact that it was you who allegedly initiated the battle organization ...

- If I could choose, then Rustam was one of the last on the list of fighters with whom I would like to fight. This also applies to any other Russian. But it turned out as it happened. Had to take this fight.

- Before the fight did not talk to him about it?

- No. We are not familiar with him. Only a couple of times I saw him in the hall. We trained in one place and crossed in the locker room.

- You said that threats came to your address because of the decision to meet with Khabilov. Now they keep coming?

- This information has been exaggerated. It was more likely not threats, but a small hat. Yes, in the comments there were inadequate schoolchildren, but this happened before. Rustam is a media person, many people follow him on social networks. Apparently, in this way they decided to support him. But on the Internet this is normal. I do not pay attention to it.

- Some fighters get into fights with fans. Didn’t enter into confrontation with especially zealous fans?

- You won’t answer everyone. I do not want to stoop to their level. I prefer to leave such people alone with themselves. Their goal is to anger you, bring you to emotions. If you answered, then they won. I don’t want that.

- And in real life there were no conflicts with Khabilov fans?

- No. We live in the same hotel with other participants in the tournament. It has a lot of team representatives. But everyone reacts sensibly. I did not notice slanting glances. Adequate people understand that this is just a sport. There is nothing personal here.

- Conor McGregor, after saying about Dagestan, was waiting at the hotel, and after that they threw a bottle during one of the events ...

- McGregor went too far. Recently, he has been carried in the wrong direction, and he has crossed all borders. If he had been met here, everything could end in disaster. Conor needs to put the brains in place.

- McGregor is clearly trying to get a revenge with Nurmagomedov. Do you think he will succeed?

“I don't think so.” These attempts look pathetic and ridiculous. It would be more logical for Conor to think more about sports, to win several fights. McGregor is a high-level fighter. Having a series of victories in his assets, he could have hoped for revenge. Now it looks very ridiculous.

- Why?

- In the first match he was left no chance. The first two or three rounds, he showed serious resistance, even in the fight, but in the end Habib dominated. In addition, in the last year, McGregor thought more about whiskey, and Nurmagomedov seriously added. In my opinion, at the moment, revenge is not of interest.

- Can Tony Ferguson be considered the most uncomfortable opponent for Nurmagomedov?

“I would not call him kryptonite for Habib, but this person is able to surprise.” Ferguson is a very unconventional fighter, it is not clear how he thinks. He can create problems for anyone. Now Tony is the only athlete whose fight with Habib would be interesting.

- Continuing the topic, what kind of duel between compatriots would become a dream fight for you?

- I do not even know. Mikhail Koklyaev vs. Alexander Emelianenko. What is not a dream fight? (Laughs)

- For example, Fedor against Alexander?

- That's too much. Despite all the conflicts, they are brothers. I would not want to see this fight.

- Khabilov is famous for his struggle, and you experienced serious problems in this aspect. How did you work on this?

- If you have problems with the struggle, then you need to devote as much time as possible to this. Therefore, we worked on it every day.

- Have you invited a wrestling specialist to your camp?

- No. To make progress, it’s not enough to do this for a month or two. People have been working on the struggle for years. Despite the fact that I can’t do much, I already managed to make progress. It is very important to believe in yourself.

- Would you like to go to Team Alpha Male or American Kickboxing Academy to tighten your skills?

- As for TAM, then no, since lightweights train mainly there. But I really want to attend the training camp in the USA and speak there at the number tournament. Earlier there were problems with the visa, but in the near future I am going to fill this gap.

- Which team would you like to train in?

- Hard Knocks 365 under the leadership of Henry Huft. Kamaru Usman and Robbie Lawler are involved there.

- What do you think, how will the battle with Khabilov end?

- I will win - either by decision or by knockout in the third round.