“Khabib is a hard worker”: the head of the UFC PI science department spoke about Nurmagomedov’s performance and athletic longevity

- The fact that the Russian head of the UFC Performance Insititute science department  will be a real revelation to the inexperienced viewer of mixed martial arts. How did you manage?

- Two and a half years ago, I won the competition. Moreover, since 2011 he lived in Portland. He worked mainly in the USA, partly in Finland.

- In what area?

- In a company that created technologies for measuring the physical condition of athletes before training. In UFC PI, we also use it.

- How did you find out about the vacancy at UFC PI?

- I saw an announcement that the UFC Athlete Training Institute was opening in Las Vegas. This attracted my attention, because at one time he defended a dissertation on this topic, worked with wrestlers, boxers, including Russian ones. It inspired me. I decided to move to another level and applied.

- Why did you decide to be implemented specifically in the field of MMA?

- First of all, MMA inspires me. He has been in contact with this all his life. It started back in school. He was in a specialized class, where for two years he was engaged in army hand-to-hand combat. Then he was associated with wrestlers, judokas, sambo wrestlers. In addition, all my scientific studies were associated with martial arts.

- Was your decision influenced by the fact that MMA is a rather young sport that is under development?

- Yes, in comparison with boxing, mixed martial arts are evolving, growing. I want to become a part of this process and direct it in a more proper direction.  

- But why did you choose not boxing? Indeed, until recently, work in it was much more profitable financially.

- I did not consider such an option. I was inspired by the idea that MMA turned into a full-fledged sport. And the market leader represented by the UFC created an institute that collects all the conditions for raising the level of athletes. Physical training, rehabilitation, nutrition - all this is in one cluster. I wanted to be part of it.

- What exactly is included in your tasks?

- I supervise science - everything related to innovation, technology, scientific research, support for athletes.

- And if you specify?

- After the UFC fighter comes to us, our team collects all possible information about him - about his physical qualities, readiness, functional condition, injuries. Based on this, a profile is created that allows you to identify strengths and weaknesses.

- How is this process going?

- By conducting testing, evaluations, measurements. With the use of high-tech equipment.

- How many tests does this examination include?

- About a dozen and a half. If an athlete has one or two weeks, then we conduct him the whole range of tests. Our team also measures its resting metabolism, body composition.

Based on this, she decides how to structure his diet so that he not only makes the necessary weight, but also does not lose in physical condition. In turn, the physiotherapy department is involved in injury prevention. If athletes have old injuries, everything possible is done to avoid their relapse.

- At the same time, not all fighters of the Absolute Fighting Championship use the services of UFC PI. Regarding the attraction process, do the athletes themselves express a desire to use the services of your center or does the leadership of the promotion send you particularly promising ones?

- Our approach is quite simple and understandable. If you are a UFC fighter, then you have the opportunity to come to us and take advantage of the institute. The conditions are equal for all athletes, who currently number about 600. We are not involved in coercion. If a person comes and asks him to pull up a “fizuha”, then we help him in this aspect. If someone cares about injury prevention, we do it.

- How much time do fighters usually spend in UFC PI?

- Differently. Someone comes for two days, someone stays for two months and spends the entire camp before the fight. Here they train twice a week, get food. These we call "local athletes." They are about 30-40.

- Name a few "local athletes."

- There are fighters who are 100% involved in the process. For example, Joanne Calderwood. For the sake of this, she specially moved to Las Vegas, lives here from May - June 2018. He regularly undergoes testing, works with a team on physical fitness. We help her with recovery and other points. In general, we cooperate with 80% of the entire UFC roster.

- Are there domestic athletes among them?

- Yes, in the 20th of January Andrei Orlovsky came, before that - Alexey Oleinik, who had already worked with us several times. And he stayed for several weeks.

- Who else?

- Peter Yan, Omari Akhmedov, Said Nurmagomedov. I treat compatriots with special warmth. I help them with the translation. I try to make them feel as comfortable as possible in the English-speaking environment, focus on the training process, and not everyday problems.

- Does the UFC plan to  open an Athlete Training Institute in Russia?

- At the moment, the promotion is considering several countries, Russia is definitely among them. Given the traditions of domestic MMA and the number of fans, we would like to contribute to the development of sports here. We have global ambitions. In June 2019, we opened UFC PI in Shanghai and plan to develop further.

- As far as we know, one of the first clients of the institute was Henry Sehudo, the champion in the flyweight and lightweight champion ...

- Yes it is. He personally worked with him before the title fight with TJ Dillashaw.

- If you take Sehudo, what exactly was the work focused on?

- He first came to us in March 2018. We talked and started by conducting a comprehensive survey, identifying strengths and weaknesses. Then they offered him the optimal training program and technology, which on a daily basis measures his readiness for loads.

- How it works?

- She analyzes the state of the body and on the basis of this we look to see if the athlete has fully recovered and whether he is ready for maximum loads. If not, then make the appropriate changes in the training plan. Thus, we not only provide various services in Las Vegas, but also remotely accompany the fighters.

So, he was in the city of Phoenix, Arizona, but I could see the state of his body on my gadget. In particular, his brain.

- Subsequently, Sehudo still asked for help from the UFC PI?

- Yes, he used this technology before his last three fights.

- At one time, Henry performed at flyweight, but then decided to move to a heavier division. Given his physical data, was this the right step for him?

- As you see, Sehudo remained both quick and “explosive”, so everything was done correctly. I can say that our organization also deals with this issue - they help fighters to determine which category it is more convenient for them to play based on their physical indicators.

- As far as you know, you worked with Alexander Povetkin. What is your opinion about Alexander?

- I have the warmest relations with Alexander. We still call each other, communicate both with him and with his team. Of course, we do not interact as before, but continue to communicate.

- Does it surprise you that he has successfully performed at age 40?

- I’m also 40, but I continue to compete - I participate in bicycle races and do decathlon. Now athletes have the opportunity to extend their careers. If earlier at this age physical conditions fell strongly, now we have many tools to reduce negative factors. Take the example of the same Oleinik, Yoel Romero, Daniel Cormier - they are all over 40 years old, but they continue to perform. I think the average age of athletes will increase.

- If you take the example of Povetkin and Romero, the reason for their longevity lies in the unique data of the body or in the competent use of various technologies and drugs?

- Both factors play a role. Genetics is a person’s capabilities, which, coupled with the right lifestyle, help him achieve success in sports.

- Can you call Khabib Nurmagomedov a genetically gifted athlete, or does he belong to those who made themselves?

- Of course, there is some kind of predisposition. You cannot achieve high results without being a gifted athlete. But you can also say that Habib is a real hard worker. It can be seen that he has been working a lot for a long time. His ascent to the top was the result of a systemic process.