“Negatively disrespectful”
For 2020, the Russian branch of the Absolute Fighting Championship (UFC) has planned a large number of new projects, including two tournaments, an increase in the number of television broadcasts, as well as the opening of a sports hall under the auspices of the promotion.
According to Andrei Gromkovsky, UFC Vice President for Russia, the organization is doing everything possible to increase the competitiveness of MMA against the background of other sports.
“Last year turned out to be very successful for us. We also have many plans for 2020. We hope that our athletes will show even better results and become role models for young people who will come to MMA and develop our sport, ”Gromkovsky said at a press conference in Moscow.
The functionary expressed the hope that the main star of one of the tournaments in Russia will be the representative of the lightest weight category Peter Yan.
“I would really like Peter to perform in Russia. I hope that the stars converge and we will be able to organize his battle. That would be awesome for a Russian audience. Last year we had a wonderful card in which Zabit Magomedsharipov and Alexander Volkov fought. Both got the upper hand. Not all tournaments win our athletes, but this only emphasizes that the UFC is the most transparent and fair league, ”said Gromkovsky.
The manager added that the uniqueness of the promotion lies in the fact that it unites representatives of many cultures and athletes of different origin.
“MMA is, first and foremost, a sport, and this is what we focus on. Of course, it all depends on the particular battle, but it is always a competition of individuals. We are very pleased when the fighters have the opportunity to prove themselves from the best side, and the fans empathize with them. The main thing is that it remains a sport, we strive for this, ”the promoter emphasized.
At the same time, the attention of many has recently been attracted by the REN-TV promotional video advertising the battle between Conor McGregor and Donald Cerrone as part of the UFC 246 tournament in Las Vegas. In it, an ex-champion in featherweight and lightweight was described as a “clown who imagines himself to be a great fighter” and “balabol”. Commenting on what happened, the vice president of the organization emphasized that such an attitude towards any athlete is unacceptable.
“For us, the most important thing is the fighters and their attitude towards them. Therefore, we are negative about disrespect. We understand this situation, while I will refrain from further comments, ”said Gromkovsky.
The last time McGregor entered the octagon in October 2018 was when he was defeated by Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov. Their confrontation has become one of the most striking in MMA, in connection with which many fans expect a rematch.
“So far we can only speculate. There were no official confirmations. But I think, in any case, it’s too early to make any plans, because so far everyone is waiting for the MacGregor-Cerrone battle, ”said Gromkovsky.
"The Irishman chose a digestible duel"
It is interesting that it will be Jan who will comment on the McGregor-Cerrone battle on Russian television. However, the fighter emphasized that at the same time he should not be called a TV presenter, since he had not had such an experience before.
“I will rather help. But this fight is very interesting to me from a professional point of view. In the octagon will meet two universal fighters, two basic drummers. I’m sure they will show a spectacular duel, ”said Peter.
The favorite of the battle, most experts consider McGregor. The Russian is also confident in the victory of the Irishman.
“For myself, I know who will win. Of course, in MMA it is difficult to predict how the battle will turn out, but Conor will be the favorite. He chose a digestible option for himself. Cerrone will enrich this fight, and McGregor will allow himself to declare himself after a long absence, ”explained Jan.
The last duel of Jan himself took place in December last year. Then he defeated the American by Juraj Feiber. According to the lightweight, his next goal is to win the championship belt.
“At this stage, I am interested in the fight for the title. His organization is the first task of my team, my managers. In a year and a half, I won six flyweight bouts. No one else has such a winning streak. But the champion of our division, Henry Sehudo, does not want this meeting, he avoids me, to put it mildly, ”the Russian said.
Ex-two-time UFC champion TJ Dillashaw, currently serving a two-year suspension for doping, could become his potential opponent.
“This is a very interesting fighter, a big name in the USA. I think in the future we will meet with him. I was never confused by the doping past of rivals, because in battle it will not help them. You can stuff with anything, but it's all about psychology. If a person is not confident in himself, he tries to find help on the side, ”Yang shared his opinion.
In addition, he noted the importance of promoting mixed martial arts in Russia.
“Of course, this is a huge plus that MMA is interested throughout the country. The greater the coverage, the more people will get the opportunity to watch fights. When I speak in the USA, they constantly ask me why my fights are not broadcast in Russia. Therefore, it’s cool if the popularity growth continues, ”Yang concluded.