“I don’t know the fighter who could defeat Khabib now”: Tsarukyan about Nurmagomedov, Ovechkin and work at Severstal

- Which of the hockey players was an idol in childhood?

- In childhood, I liked Ilya Kovalchuk most of all. I don’t remember which team he played for, but I watched matches with his participation. Not only in the NHL club, but also in the Russian team.

- Why did you admire Kovalchuk?

- I was very impressed with his technique. In addition, he used the right grip, like me. Of course, I also liked the game of Alexander Ovechkin, but Kovalchuk sympathized more.

- How did you feel about Eugene Malkin?

- Along with Kovalchuk and Ovechkin, he was one of my three favorite hockey players.

- At what age did you start playing hockey?

- At 12 years old. Many of my classmates went to the section, I decided to train with them. Hit the Amur.

- Didn’t you think that at this age it’s too late to start your career in this sport?

- Yes, I understood that it would be very difficult to catch up with those guys who had been training since the age of five. But by the age of 15, he added quite well and practically reached their level, but in the end this was not enough.

- By the time you go to hockey, you were already actively involved in wrestling. Was it difficult to combine these two sports?

- No. At that moment, hockey was in my first place. Four times a week I attended training on ice and only once or twice engaged in wrestling.

- Passion for two sports at once did not affect school performance?

- I never had a problem with my studies. I always had time.

- What position did you play?

- Left forward.

- As far as you know, your height is 175 cm, but usually more textured guys go to hockey. Was it difficult to deal with physically more powerful peers?

- I was quite able to compete with them. It was not necessary for me to engage in a power struggle, but at the expense of speed I understood them quite well.

- Given your subsequent career in MMA, can you assume that you often fought on the ice?

- Yes, there were skirmishes, but basically the brawl took place not on the site, but in the locker room.

- You want to say that you fought with teammates?

- Yes, mainly with them.

- What was the reason?

- There were different situations. For example, on time did not give a transfer or something like that.

- Can you recall the most vivid brawl?

- It is difficult to single out one, because there were a lot of them. I really loved to fight.

- It happened that both teams participated in the fight?

“No, there was no such massive battle, but once they fought five by five.” I can say that on ice it is not so interesting. No one took off their helmets, and there’s no point in hitting a metal mask. Therefore, he preferred to catch people after matches.

- In light of this, your parents did not advise that you better try yourself in mixed martial arts, and not hockey?

“No, they never told me what to do.” I myself made decisions, after which I introduced them to the course of affairs.

- What prompted you to leave hockey?

- They began to disband the team, and only five to six people took part in the main team. Other clubs lured someone, someone left. As a result, only weak players remained. After that, I saw no reason to continue.

- Didn’t you think that it is worth changing the team and then everything will go better?

- No, at one point I realized that I did not want to engage in hockey aimlessly. I came to this sport much later than the rest and realized that I could not keep up with the best. In total, the team had 40 people. He perfectly understood that getting into an adult team is unrealistic for me.

- Worried about leaving hockey?

- No. He realized his chances and, as a result, was not upset.

- Nevertheless, now you have taken the position of a physical training coach at Severstal. How did a UFC fighter without professional experience in hockey get such a job?

- Initially, I was offered to replenish the core team. But I refused, because this business needs to be given 100%, which I can not afford. For me, UFC is a priority.

- And after that you were invited to the place of a trainer for special training?

- Yes. And that suited me.

- Previously, you did not work in this specialty. What do you think about managing responsibilities?

- At present I am studying at the Institute of Physical Culture, in addition, I have been speaking at a professional level for six years. I know better than any coach what to do and how.

- MMA and hockey are very different from each other. Are you sure your techniques will help hockey players?

- The game will show. I want to note that I will be responsible for special training: work on endurance, strength, physics. Let's bring some elements from fighting training to classes. Everything else is the prerogative of other mentors.

- Does this work involve full employment?

- We are currently negotiating on this topic.

- Your work at Severstal will not interfere with your career in MMA?

- No. In preparation for the fight, I will focus exclusively on it, disconnect from all other matters.

- Will Severstal be satisfied with this?

- Yes.

- How active are you now in hockey?

“I don't have much free time.” But lately, I started to follow hockey again. Now you need to understand who plays how, what tactics he adheres to. Before that, I almost did not watch matches.

- Who are you rooting for?

- For Severstal.

- Is it solely in the light of recent events?

- No.

- Do you watch only KHL matches or also follow the NHL?

- Only the Continental Hockey League. It is interesting to watch the performances of Russian players, many of whom you know.

- But after all, in the NHL there are also enough Russians?

- Yes, but the interest is still caused by domestic teams. At the same time, I remember that Ovechkin still plays in Washington, and Malkin in Pittsburgh.

- Many fans express dissatisfaction with the fact that in the KHL the champion is almost certainly known, while in the North American League an unambiguous favorite often wins. Does it annoy you?

- Like any other sport, hockey is unpredictable. Something may not work out for the leader, and another will take over. Therefore, you should not be sure in advance of the success of a strong team or athlete.

- What tasks does Severstal set for the season?

- I have not talked with the management on this topic.

- In your opinion, are Cherepovets able to get into the playoffs?

- Of course, I’m sure that they have all the qualities for this. But I think that Severstal hockey players should set themselves the goal of winning the Gagarin Cup. Of course, we must act steadily, but think only about fulfilling maximum tasks.

- Who is your favorite KHL player?

- Sergey Plotnikov. At one time he defended the colors of Amur, so I have been following him for a long time.

- Currently, one of the most popular hockey players of the league is Kirill Kaprizov. How do you feel about him?

“He doesn't really impress me.”

- Who would you call the best Russian hockey player at the moment?

- Ovechkina. He is a media person and casts a lot. In addition, Alexander is a very tough player and never hesitates to go butt. Therefore, it is very interesting to watch.

- Recently, more and more representatives of other sports are trying their hand at MMA. What do you think, Ovechkin would have achieved success in mixed martial arts?

- If you wanted, of course, it would work out. Ovechkin would have been a little harder, because for the most part boxers and wrestlers go to MMA, not hockey players. But a professional athlete can adapt everywhere, so we are waiting for Alexander in the UFC.

- Who would you like to see Ovechkin as a rival?

- McGregor.

- Your last fight you had in July. Have you discussed with UFC the date of your return to the octagon?

- Not yet. But I think that my next fight will take place in January-February 2020.

- With whom would you like to fight?

- While this does not bother me much. Whoever they give, I will fight with that. Now I need to win several victories in a row, and only then think about battles with the strongest athletes. Of course, now I would like to face off with the representatives of the top 15.

- Conor McGregor has not yet decided on an opponent. If you were offered to fight him on January 18 in Las Vegas, would you agree?

- Sure. No one would refuse the chance to meet with MacGregor. This is a money battle.

- What do you think, who should become the next opponent of Khabib Nurmagomedov?

- Tony Ferguson. He has a series of 12 victories, he killed all who can and, like no one else, deserves a fight with Nurmagomedov.

- Ferguson has a chance to get the better of Nurmagomedov?

- I think no. Everyone says that the American is strong in standing and has skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but, in my opinion, Tony is a convenient opponent for Khabib.

- Name the most inconvenient opponent for Nurmagomedov.

- There are none at the UFC right now. I don’t know a single fighter who could defeat Khabib now.

- Do not you think that the leadership of the promotion could get the idea to organize a fight between Nurmagomedov and McGregor at a tournament in Moscow or St. Petersburg and forget about Ferguson?

- Yes, do not exclude this. But the problem is that Habib himself is opposed. I think that only a fabulous fee can influence his opinion. Of course, it would be interesting to see the duel between Nurmagomedov and McGregor in Russia. But it would be more correct to arrange his meeting with Ferguson.

- Why?

- Now many people think that he is the only one who can stop Nurmagomedov. When Tony loses, this question will be completely closed.

- You were outraged by the behavior of McGregor at his press conference in Moscow?

- His words should not be taken seriously, because he does the show. It must be treated like a fool. He is a buffoon by himself. Everyone understands that he says this not just, but in the hope of getting revenge. Conor hopes that by insulting Dagestan, he will provoke Khabib to agree to meet with him.

- Does McGregor have a chance to beat Nurmagomedov in a rematch?

“He can only hope for lucky punch.”

- Can Nurmagomedov be called the best Russian MMA fighter in history?

- Yes of course.

- But what about Fedor Emelianenko?

- Fedor will forever remain the first great Russian fighter, Khabib - the second.

- What needs to be done by Nurmagomedov to be considered unequivocally the greatest among the Russians?

- Nothing. Emelianenko will still remain in history as a pioneer.

- I think Oleg Taktarov would hardly agree with this ...

- I do not consider him a fighter. I only saw Oleg in business, but he acted absolutely technically.

- Moreover, he is the winner of the UFC tournament .

- Firstly, then the promotion was completely different. Secondly, I heard that in the main battle he fought with his friend. Therefore, for me he is not a full champion of the UFC.

- Taktarov said that he was ready to head the McGregor fan club in Russia. Why is he doing this?

- He is a provocateur, likes to attract attention.

- Recently, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov called on the UFC to organize a fight between McGregor and your former opponent, Makhachev. Is Islam able to defeat Conor?

- Sure. It’s hard to fight with an athlete who is a freestyle wrestling specialist. In his last fight, Makhachev fought the best grappler in the world (Davy Ramos - world champion 2011 and 2015 - RT ), but he could not oppose him. I don’t think that McGregor will agree to fight with Makhachev, because for him it is very risky.

- Do you think Conor is an outsider in a duel with Islam?

- Yes. For him, this fight would be very difficult.

- Can Donald Cerrone be called a more convenient opponent for McGregor?

- Undoubtedly. Conor is comfortable with those who prefer to fight in a stance.