- You have recently had a coronavirus. How are you feeling?
- Until recently I thought it was all toys.
Actually, like most people in Russia.
He said that the disease does not exist, he considered it a deception.
When there were two weeks left before my debut fight in ONE FC with Amir Aliakbari, I went to Dagestan to conduct the final stage of preparation.
One day I trained well, but I returned home and felt unwell.
Thought I was overtraining.
I measured the temperature on a thermometer 39 ° C.
I called the manager and said he was ill.
- What happened next?
- I drank pills for three days - nothing helped, and every day my health only worsened.
The temperature was kept, but there was no strength to get out of bed.
I decided to return to Moscow, although the trip was given to me with great difficulty.
We were placed in the Voronovskaya infectious diseases hospital.
I never felt as bad as the first night.
The peculiarity of the coronavirus is that it gets into the head.
Says that you definitely will not get out.
I spent the day in an ordinary ward, but it did not get better, then I was transferred to intensive care.
For three days I was taken out of this state.
Thank you very much to the doctors.
I would like to thank them for their work.
- After that, went on the mend?
- Yes, they returned to the usual ward again.
I spent 16 days there, during which time I passed two tests for COVID-19 - both were negative.
- You said that your lung damage was 25% and 30%, respectively. Do you feel like it has affected your physical abilities, such as endurance?
- Yes.
It's hard now.
I feel that the lungs are not yet the same.
It is necessary to do a huge amount of work to restore everything, to return that volume again.
I have always been distinguished by my "functional", but now I train with the guys and breathe badly.
Previously, under water, he could hold his breath for up to two minutes, but now, after 45 seconds, the lungs begin to burn.
As if they have some kind of lava.
- Did you ask the doctors if the athlete's body is able to fully recover from the coronavirus?
- I am still in touch with the doctors.
They said that everything will be restored, you just need to drink vitamins and work.
The lungs are an organ that can regenerate itself, but it takes time.
There is no magic pill for everything to return to its previous form overnight.
- Perhaps you use some special drugs or methods to quickly restore lung function?
- No.
I swim, run, do breathing exercises, and inflate balloons.
- Speaking about the problems with physical fitness after the coronavirus disease, the footballer of Spartak Zelimkhan Bakayev immediately comes to mind. As a fan of the red and white, how would you rate the current state of the midfielder?
- Apparently, Bakaev is in the same situation as me.
Apparently, he also did not expect the coronavirus to be such a serious thing.
In fact, everyone experiences the disease differently.
Many athletes I know have contracted COVID-19.
Some have no problems with "physics" at all, while others have the opposite.
But Zelimkhan is a perfumed guy.
I think he will soon come to his senses and start to delight us with a wonderful game.
- Many do not believe that such gaming problems can be associated with the coronavirus, in connection with which Bakaev receives a lot of criticism ...
- Many people did not believe me either.
I lay in the hospital under IVs, post a story on Instagram, and they write to me: “The state bought you.
There is no coronavirus.
You sold out. "
But why be surprised, because for a long time I myself did not attach any importance to it.
And when I got sick, I realized how dangerous it was.
- In general, how do you like Spartak's performance this season?
- If you look at the standings, everything is not bad.
But recently there was a match with Sochi.
I got ready to watch, sat down, dressed my son in a Spartak suit, and there it was.
Sometimes it seems that the team is missing something.
- What exactly?
- There is such a thing as Spartak spirit.
It seems to me that he is missing now.
If the fans support them with might and main in the stands, and the players are charged with these emotions and give their all on the field, then they will have no equal.
After all, look, the composition is just crazy.
A good goalkeeper, great defense, Georgy Jikia is just a cannon.
Attack ... I really like Alexander Sobolev.
The guy is handsome.
But something is missing.
They play on an equal footing with strong opponents, with "bags" they lose points.
Sometimes I get angry about this.
- Friends do not pin up?
- They often ask me: "Why are you sick for them?"
My answer is that everyone has difficult times.
You know, it's like a child.
It happens that he put it into a diaper, but you washed it, wiped it, put on a new one and continue to love.
So is Spartak.
It happens that the team also screw up, but you cannot betray it.
I am from the cradle for red and white, and my father too.
Grandfather, however, is for CSKA.
Therefore, as we arrive in the village, jokes begin.
- What place do you think Spartak will take this season?
- I would like to be in the top three.
I think it can be done.
It will be hard to fight for the championship
.
- In October, you were supposed to have your debut fight at
ONE
FC, but due to the coronavirus, it did not take place.
Is there any certainty about when the battle will take place?
- At the moment I am in Phuket.
It is comfortable to prepare here, excellent conditions.
And since ONE FC holds tournaments in Singapore, there is no need to undergo acclimatization, and it's not far away.
Now they gave me half a month to assess my physical condition, the progress of my recovery.
I would like the fight to take place in mid-February.
- Is your opponent's name already known?
- No, but I would like to get along with Aliakbari.
It seems to me that it is the fight with him that will show what I am worth.
Amir is strong, he defeated strong fighters.
He recently contracted coronavirus too.
At the moment, it is unclear how the Iranian will survive the illness and whether he will be able to recover by February.
If not, then ask for another opponent.
- You train in the
Tiger
Muay
Thai hall
.
Russian fighters have long chosen this camp.
Are there many compatriots there now?
- Unfortunately not.
Apart from me and Abu-Muslim Alikhanov (welterweight fighter ONE FC. -
RT
) there is only Khalil Rowntree from the UFC and a couple of other guys.
There is someone to work with.
The coaching staff have a lot of free time.
The only thing is, I would like more sparring partners.
-
Didn't Pyotr Yan come
?
- I wanted to, but admitted that it would be difficult for him to endure quarantine.
Will not master.
I know that Peter plans to go to the USA in the near future.
- Surely Russian fans are interested in why you chose
ONE
FC
as the continuation of your career ? After all, the majority of domestic fighters, if they go, are mainly in American promotions -
UFC,
Bellator or
PFL.
- I was offered a good contract.
He is interesting from a financial point of view, besides, I can continue to perform in Russia.
I also like Asia.
The family is comfortable here, and I am comfortable performing.
Of course, I want to try my hand at the UFC.
But ONE FC is also signing interesting heavyweights.
My category used to be in a depressing state.
Let's play three fights here, and then we'll see.
- Were there any options to sign a contract with the
UFC or
Bellator?
- No.
No offers were received.
If the UFC made contact, I would immediately agree.
- For any money?
- Of course, I wouldn't want to fight for a penny.
All the same, this is labor, coupled with solid spending.
Do the math: two to three months of preparation, vitamins, nutrition, massage and nutritionist services.
I would like to receive good money for this.
If they offered $ 14 thousand for the battle and the same amount for the victory, I would agree.
- In Russia, many fighters are of the opinion that the
ACA
promotion in terms of the level of competition significantly surpasses
ONE
FC and ranks third in the world.
Do you agree?
- No.
In different promotions, there are problems in certain weight categories.
Of course, the UFC and Bellator are now out of competition, but ONE FC seems to me to be a more interesting organization than ACA.
This applies to financial and media components, as well as some other aspects.
Everyone has their own opinion.
Personally, I enjoy Asia.
As for the level of heavyweights, look at the same Aliakbari.
He won all three fights in the ACA and could have won further if he stayed.
But for some reason, he moved to ONE FC.
This means that the promotion can interest strong fighters with something.
At the same time, I agree, and there are enough decent guys in ACA.
- Where is it easier to get into the
UFC?
- In my opinion, from ONE FC.
It seems to me that the UFC and Bellator follow him more than the ACA.
But I could be wrong.
It's better to ask the managers.
- Surely many people learned about you from your performances in
Fight
Nights
Global.
Considering that under the contract with
ONE
FC you are allowed to fight in Russia, would it be interesting to have several fights in this promotion?
- Undoubtedly.
Overall, the promotion itself has hardly changed.
Sponsors appeared, but Kamil Hajiyev stayed.
In my opinion, he conducts business normally.
I would love to fight in Russia if they offered an interesting opponent and a good fee.
I like performing in front of my compatriots.
Our fans are the coolest in terms of their ability to create energy and atmosphere.
And Fight Nights Global was fine with me in all aspects.
I only had two fights there, but everything was great.
- Over the years of its existence,
FNG has repeatedly become the object of criticism.
For example, some fighters were unhappy that they were not paid their fees on time.
Have you faced similar problems?
- Personally, I was paid the next day.
I have not met those who had problems with this.
Kamil personally donated money.
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- To fully return to the elite of Russian MMA,
FNG needs to arrange a major fight.
In your opinion, what kind of duel could help the promotion achieve this goal?
- Revenge between Magomed Ismailov and Vladimir Mineev.
At the moment, you can't think of anything better than this fight.
Is that a fight between Malykhin and Ismailov or Mineev.
You can take turns with both in one evening
(laughs)
.
But seriously, it would be great to organize a duel with the participation of Fedor Emelianenko or Vitaly Minakov.
- And the fight between Ismailov and Alexander Shlemenko?
- That would be cool too.
As you can see, a lot is tied to the Magician.
- With whom would you prefer to see Ismailov's next fight - with Mineev, Shlemenko or revenge with Alexander Emelianenko?
- Emelianenko has nothing to do there.
This guy is no longer at that level.
Ismailov will do the same with him as in the first battle.
Mineev spent a lot of time in Dagestan and probably pulled up the fight, and in terms of striking technique, they are practically on par with Magomed.
This battle is probably the most interesting for me.
In second place, with a minimum gap, I will define the fight with Shlemenko.
Alexander is a very strong-willed fighter, with him there would be a cool cabin.
- Is your choice influenced by the fact that the battle between Ismailov and Mineev promises to be hot not only in the cage, but also outside it?
“I don’t like it when mud pours.
I think that you shouldn't touch your religion and relatives.
But you can use a competent trash-talk, as the same Ismailov does.
It's interesting to watch this.
You see that a person's head is also working.
Mineev goes a little too far.
But overall, I don't mind.
This is the age of the Internet.
It is not interesting to watch how the soldiers are silent.
It is more reminiscent of the PRIDE times.
I’m not saying that it was bad then, but everything changed.
-
Before the fight between Ismailov and Shtyrkov, you gave Ivan good chances.
- I gave 60 to 40 in favor of Magi, but I had no doubt that it would be difficult for him.
I knew that Ivan would prove himself.
Just look at the dimensions, how much more Shtyrkov was.
He had to catch Ismailov with one hand and break with the other.
But in reality everything turned out differently.
- Shtyrkov disappointed?
- Ivan must be given his due, because they did not believe in him.
They said that Ismailov would come out and take it apart.
Shtyrkov prepared well, showed character.
Moreover, Magomed even "breathed" closer to the ending.
He took his leg and went to the ground, but there he encountered resistance.
- Shtyrkov also "ate" ...
- Yes.
Even if not the way it used to be.
Ivan was better prepared than usual.
In general, I liked the fight.
Yes, I wanted more blood, action, but it turned out well.
- Didn't you think that Shtyrkov had to try to work more clinically with Ismailov, because he was noticeably inferior to him in speed and because of this he could not really compete in the stand?
- I don’t think so.
Fighting in a clinch is very hard.
In my opinion, it would only be negative for Shtyrkov.
He is a basic sambist and is not used to such work.
Consequently, it would “acidify” even faster.
Ismailov is a fighter, this is his element.
In my opinion, Ivan chose a good tactic for the fight, it was just necessary to better defend against passes to the legs.
In this case, things could have turned out differently.
- Shtyrkov had experience in heavyweight performance. Would you be interested in fighting him?
- Yes, provided that Ivan is not in the light heavyweight category.
Shtyrkov is a good opponent, he would not refuse to meet with him.
We know each other, follow each other on Instagram, exchange messages from time to time.
I think this fight would be interesting to the public.
- Besides Shtyrkov, with whom of the Russian fighters would you be interested in a fight?
- With Evgeny Goncharov, for example.
He is on the rise, right up to the fight with Mukhumat Vakhayev, he had a long unbeaten run.
Alexander Emelianenko is probably already a downed pilot.
I don't want to share the octagon with him.
You can also name Anton Vyazigin.
A very interesting heavyweight.
By the way, in the next battle he will fight with Goncharov.
Speaking of Caucasian fighters, all the top heavyweights there are on contracts.
Ali Isaev is signed to the PFL, Rizvan Kuniev is to the EFC.
It's interesting for me to fight with the worthy.
Still, time is running out, I'm not getting younger.
- In my opinion, you forgot about Sergei Kharitonov ...
- This is a dream fight
(laughs)
.
- How do you assess your chances in the battle with him?
- In fact, this is an easy fight.
Firstly, because of Sergey's age, and secondly, because of his problems with wrestling.
I saw the fight with Linton Wassell and was very surprised.
At that moment I realized that our battle with him would be unattainable.
Of course, Kharitonov could have hit the stance, he has powerful hands.
But it would be hard for him to work, wondering whether I would hit or walk in the legs.
- Can you name the one with whom you would not like to fight?
- With Vitaly Minakov.
I very much sympathize with him.
I consider him the strongest heavyweight in Russia, even if we take into account Alexander Volkov.