"I never considered myself perfect": Nurmagomedov on his weaknesses, the death of his father, the fight with Gatji and rematch with McGregor

- In the fall, you will have your second defense of your UFC title against Justin Gaethje. Tell us where exactly it will take place?

- The battle is scheduled for October 24 and will take place in Abu Dhabi. At first they could not decide on a place, but then they decided that the fight would take place on "Boytsovsky Island". I hope everything works out. I'm getting ready with all my might. I am in training mode.

- 11 months have passed since the last fight. How difficult is it to keep fit, especially during a pandemic?

- I train constantly, conduct sparring sessions. If I have no injuries, then I am in the gym all year round. I have a lot of experience in MMA. I don’t worry about not performing for almost 12 months.

- Where are you preparing for the meeting with Gatji?

- So far we have not decided where exactly we will hold the preparatory camp. Now I am in Dagestan. As for training, there were no problems. I have a gym at home, there is one in Makhachkala. And already on September 10 (the head of the AKA hall. - RT ) Javier Mendes will join us .

- In addition to you, your brothers Umar and Abubakar, as well as teammate Islam Makhachev, are scheduled to perform at UFC 254. At the same time, you admitted earlier that it is difficult for you to fight on the same show with loved ones ...

- Yes it is. But we decided that it would be easier for us to prepare. Makhachev has already been offered an opponent. We are waiting for a response from him. But the athlete is very eminent. Umar is also eager to make his UFC debut. He wants to show what he is capable of. Abubakar is preparing with might and main, very energized and motivated. Also on this show, a fight between Zabit Magomedsharipov and Yair Rodriguez can take place. I think this will be a very important tournament for Dagestan.

- In July, your father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov died. After that, did you think about ending your career?

- There were different thoughts. But at the moment I have a fight. I am preparing for it and do not make long-term plans. Let's see what will happen next. While I will fight. Now I am 31 years old, in September I will turn 32. If you take into account how much time I spent in this sport, then I can be considered a veteran of mixed martial arts. I have been performing for 12 years, more than eight of them in the UFC. I have a very good career behind me, but now I am extremely motivated. I want to go back, fight, be busy with something. This year I will have a training regime. This helps to distract from the news, what is happening around.

- How did you cope with the loss of your father?

“ I don’t think there’s anyone here who has been ignored by this. Someone's friends were dying, someone's relatives. This is a great loss. We had a very close relationship. He was not only a father to me, but a friend and coach. We were constantly together. Of course I'm worried. If I sit with a stone face and say that now nothing bothers me, this is not true. I think about him. Perhaps these feelings can take me to another level, make me stronger.

- Recently Gaethje announced that he does not plan to arrange a skirmish with you in advance of the fight. Are you planning to do the same?

- I didn’t want to conflict with my opponent before a fight. This is absolutely unnecessary. Yes, with some I had to enter into skirmishes, to answer. But there were few such cases, and this did not happen on my initiative. As for Gaethje, I have known him for a long time. Ever since the days when he fought in WSOF and PFL. Justin helped me before my fight with Darrell Horcher. Then Tony Ferguson withdrew from the show, and I had the first fight after three operations in a row.

- What exactly was his help?

- Assisted with the weight-lifting machine. At that time, it was exhausting for me. When the last 2.5 kilograms were left to lose, he was there. The last of them drove in a hot tub, and he carried me out of it. Then I, Islam Makhachev and Omari Akhmedov participated in one tournament. Everyone was busy, so there weren't enough people.

- How do you feel about Justin?

- I have no complaints or dislike for Gatji. He fights, wants to be the best in the world. I respect that. I admit his aspirations, work. He went through a lot. This is a very worthy opponent. We saw what Justin did to Tony Ferguson. In October we will enter the cage, do the job, shake hands and leave.

- In one of the interviews Gatji said that your main weakness is that you consider yourself perfect, and your surroundings only "caress" you ...

- I am surrounded by some of the best fighters in the world. In the hall, we do not "caress" each other. Perhaps sometimes I would like this (smiles), but this does not happen. We are always in competition and want to defeat each other. This competition has brought us to this level. Otherwise, I never considered myself perfect. Ideal never was and never will be. I think Gaethje is wrong. I am a very self-critical athlete. My family has always demanded a lot from me. I was not treated as a champion, but as a person who must constantly plow and not relax.

In 2017, you compared the duel between Gaji and Eddie Alvarez to a fight between two alcoholics. Since then, have you changed your mind about Justin's style?

- I hope they are not offended by me. Look, it was a very interesting fight. But he actually looked a lot like that. Gaethje has changed a lot since the defeats to Alvarez and Poirier. He began to fight more prudently, made an emphasis on boxing. He knows how to work as number two, but he is also good in attack. I think he matured as a fighter. He won so many times, knocked out so many strong fighters. Very impressed by his winning streak. This is a very worthy and strong opponent.

- During preparation, do you focus on your opponent's strengths or do you primarily think about your own qualities?

- I do not prepare for fights, thinking about the skills of my counterpart. Focused only on their skills. I have wrestling, stamina, striking technique - I improve myself in these aspects. Although many people call me the best in this sport, I still try to develop.

- What would you note the strengths and weaknesses of Gaethje?

“We know Gaethje is doing well. He has a good low kick to the front leg, uppercut from the back hand, front side kick, takedown protection. He knows firsthand what wrestling is. But we are also aware of its weaknesses.

- Which ones?

- We understand that Gaji is getting tired. In the beginning, Justin is very good. He won many fights in the first rounds. This is a very explosive fighter. So I'm going to make passes to the legs and make him defend himself. Then it will fizzle out even faster. I want to look him in the eye and ask him after each round how he is feeling. In my plans to prolong the fight.

- Many people consider Gaethi the most uncomfortable opponent for you. Do you agree?

- At the end of 2017, it was believed that Barbosa was the most uncomfortable opponent for me. That he is good in standing and does not allow himself to be transferred to the ground. They said the same thing about McGregor. About Poirier, Raphael Dos Anjos. They need to somehow promote this battle. I agree that Gaethje is a good fighter. If he was bad, he would not have fought for the title.

- Gatji himself talks a lot about his wrestling skills. Don't you think he is slightly exaggerating his skill in this aspect?

- Information about his struggle is definitely not exaggerated. He's very strong. But I won't have a problem if I can't get him to the ground. Let's fight in the rack. I have fought with many great drummers, both amateurs and professionals. I have never had bruises or scratches on my face. If you have to sweat, miss a few hits, then it's not scary. I'm tough. Don't think you missed me.  

- In your opinion , Gajee surpasses McGregor in striking technique?

- I don’t think so. Let's see it in battle, but my fighting IQ says Gajee is no better than McGregor in a standing position.

- In 2018, your guaranteed fee for the fight with McGregor was $ 2 million. Subsequently, it was reported that you earned about $ 6 million for the meeting with Poirier. Will the reward be even more impressive for the fight with Gaethje?

- Of course, the fee has grown in two years. In this regard, I am in complete order with the UFC. I do not break the price, but I also know what I am worth. I think I deserve to get more for the fight with Gaethje than for the fight with Poirier. In my opinion, I am doing my job well, it is not just that I am in my place.

- Recently, your possible fight with Georges Saint-Pierre has been discussed again. Are you still interested in this?

- The fight with Saint-Pierre inspires me a lot. This is my father's dream fight. I would very much like to fight with him. But time is running out, next year he will turn 40. It's time to decide whether we will fight or not. Dana White said that after the fight with Gaethje, he intends to negotiate with the Canadian. If he agrees, then the battle will take place. There is interest both from my side and from the UFC.

- Why is the opportunity to fight Saint-Pierre so important for you?

- The last time he lost was in 2007, and my career began a year later. In total, our unbeaten streaks have lasted over 25 years. I don't think the UFC will have a duel like this in the near future.

- How do you feel about the fact that some people consider you an unseen fighter?

- I learned about it when I became the champion. For 12 years, a person has come out, endures everyone, is the champion of the UFC. You have to think of something. That being said, I have some of the best performance in MMA history in terms of tickets and views. If someone calls me unattractive, then that’s his business. But I disagree. Watch my fights with Barbosa, Poirier, Iaquinta. The fight with Edson was recognized as "Performance of the Year".

- If you fail to organize the battle with Saint-Pierre, how likely is it to have a rematch with McGregor?

- If it did not work out to fight with Georges, then I would meet with anyone who will take over Porier. Whether it's Ferguson or McGregor. At the moment, it is Dustin who is the first contender for the lightweight belt.

- McGregor was one of the first to wish your father Abdulmanap health and was among those who offered condolences. Has your attitude towards him changed?

- I have an equal attitude towards him. This is a passed stage. Moving on. To live in the past, to keep something in oneself ... It was and it was. When a person offends it is not good. But when your father is wished to be healthy, you can't help but like it. We have in common with him only on October 6, 2018.

- In April, the UFC was unable to organize your fight with Ferguson for the fifth time. Do you think it will take place someday?

“I don’t know why, but deep down I believe that we will fight Ferguson. I would very much like him to face off against Poirier. I think Dustin will win, but Tony has a great chance.

- In 2019, your possible fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. was widely discussed. Is there still a possibility that it will take place in the future?

- I was offered to measure strength with Mayweather in Europe. They said, "Yes, the UFC will judge you, but we will pay the fines." But I signed a contract with the Absolute Fighting Championship. For me it is more expensive than money. I don't know what the promotion thinks about the fight with Floyd. It would be interesting: 28-0 against 50-0. I think we could sell a couple of million broadcasts. But it doesn't matter to me now. Fully focused on meeting Gaethje.

- In July, Pyotr Yan took over Jose Aldo and became the second Russian UFC champion in history . Did this make you happy?

- What kind of a fool must you be not to rejoice? Good, competent fight. After the second round, Yang rebuilt greatly. It was evident that his hunger, motivation, desire to become the best was much higher than that of his opponent. Sometimes it works. If I'm not mistaken, he will have a fight with Aljamein Sterling. A very good opponent.

- As a champion, what advice would you give to Jan?

- Less distraction, focus on the training process. As soon as you become a champion, the hunt begins for you. Holding the belt is much harder than grabbing it. I wish him good luck and health. Peter has come a very long way. It is very difficult for an ordinary boy from Siberia to become a UFC champion.

- Do you agree that the fight between Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier will determine the best heavyweight of all time in MMA?

- Not. For me, the best heavyweight in history is Fyodor Emelianenko. At the same time, even Cormier himself considers the Russian one of the strongest, but puts him on the same level with Kane Velazquez. As for the upcoming tournament, Daniel is better in almost all aspects - striking technique, grappling, wrestling. But in terms of stamina, he's 41 now. At this age, you are no longer the same as seven years ago.

- What are your expectations from this fight?

- I would like to see Cormier win and end his career. I think it would be ideal to win and leave the belt.

- At the ACA 107 tournament, Magomed Ismailov sensationally knocked out Alexander Emelianenko. How would you rate the outcome of this duel?

- Magomed was fine. I prepared very well, fought well. It's all about Alexandra. Yes, he has a very famous name, but the time is long gone.

- Did you expect Emelianenko to be so hard?

- Yes. He was never famous for protection from passes to the legs, and Magomed plays takedowns well. I think it will be much more difficult for Ismailov in the battle with Alexander Shlemenko. It would be very interesting for me to see this. Middle or light heavyweight. I think it will be a very good fight.

- Apart from you, who is now one of the five strongest Russian fighters at the moment?

- I put Petr Yan in the first place. Hammered - for the second. Makhacheva - in third place. Askar Askarov would be on the fourth line, and Magomed Ismailov would be on the fifth. After all, he will write to me if I do not turn it on.