- The 2021 Russian MMA Championship has started in Kemerovo.

What did you think of it?

- Emotions are extremely positive.

Especially considering the fact that at this moment all Siberia is celebrating the 300th anniversary of Kuzbass.

We are honored to host such distinguished guests as the head of IMMAF, Keret Braun.

The MMA Union of Russia is proud of this partnership and friendship with the International MMA Federation.

As a result, I would like to recognize the current Russian championship in mixed martial arts as the best, most spectacular and most visited in history.

- As you noted, in 2021, the Russian Championship is timed to coincide with the celebration of the 300th anniversary of Kuzbass.

Next year, the MMA Union plans to continue this tradition and organize a tournament in the region, celebrating any important event in its history?

- Usually the championships of Russia in mixed martial arts are held in May-June, as a result of which they are held in honor of the main holiday in our country - Victory Day.

Thus, we always have a reason.

But if there are similar coincidences, as in the case of the 300th anniversary of Kuzbass, we will pay attention to this.

We are ready to do our best to popularize MMA in the regions.

- Given the above, does the MMA Union of Russia plan to hold national competitions in May on Red Square?

- We are considering a similar option, but at the moment we are focusing on the regions.

If we have an application from Moscow and St. Petersburg, but at the same time Vladivostok, Sakhalin, Kazan and others claim to organize the event, preference will be given to them.  

- Until now, the winner of the Russian championship received the right to compete in the planetary championship, while the silver medalist went to the continental competitions.

No changes planned?

- No, the champion will continue to receive a ticket to the World Championship, and the silver medalist to the European Championship.

At the same time, the winner of the bronze medal will go to the World Cup in the Czech Republic.

We are ready for all international starts, the Russian national team will appear at all the above competitions in full force.

- Due to the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (

CAS) on the dispute between the World Anti-Doping Agency (

WADA) and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), for two years, domestic athletes will not be able to play under their flag at major international competitions. Will this practice continue at the upcoming world championship in MMA?

- Russian fighters fought under their own flag at the 2018 and 2019 World Championships.

The situation will not change in 2021.

In this regard, the MMA Union of Russia has absolutely no problems.

MMA is not limited to these stupid and thoughtless decisions.

Athletes must represent their countries, and the national anthem of their country must be played in their honor.

You can't mix sports and politics.

Mixed martial arts are absolutely separate from any political games.

We always find a compromise, a common language for negotiations.

Mr. Keret Brown and his entire team at IMMAF are doing everything possible to ensure that our sport develops in this particular plane.

- Returning to the competitions, do you have any favorites among the participants in the current Russian championship?

- I am deeply rooting for Salamat Isbulaev.

In 2019, he won gold at the European Championship, was recognized as one of the most entertaining fighters.

I hope he will win gold in Kemerovo and go to the world championship.

- At the 2021 World Championships for men, the weight category over 120 kilograms was presented for the first time ...

- It's very good for mixed martial arts.

The more divisions, the more opportunities for athletes to prove themselves.

I would like to note that we also have a weight category up to 52.2 kilograms.

For our part, we have done everything possible so that the fighters can reach their potential.

The country's Ministry of Sports supported us in this.

- In recent years, a number of fighters have agreed that weight categories are not enough, especially over 93 kilograms.

The 18th division has recently appeared in the same box.

Does the MMA Union of Russia plan to move in this direction?

- Our organization is part of the IMMAF.

If the International Federation decides to make the appropriate changes, then we will definitely support them.

- In your opinion, which is better - to leave the current system or follow in the footsteps of boxing?

- IMMAF has finalized and unified all the rules and regulations - coaching, sports, physical.

I think the current system is ideal.

It is not necessary to increase the number of categories.

The quality of the fights is at the fore for us.

You can see for yourself how vivid contractions take place in the cage.

Today we can safely say that MMA is one of the best types of martial arts.

Thanks to Keret Brown for this.

- Some fighters, in particular the reigning

AMC

Fight

Nights

champion

Dmitry Bikrev, expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that professionals are prohibited from competing in the Russian MMA championships.

Does the MMA Union plan to reconsider this decision?

- This is out of the question.

Such athletes can take part in workshops, all-Russian championships.

But national competitions are held in accordance with the IMMAF regulations, which are coordinated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Nevertheless, the same Bikrev should think a hundred times before coming to such tournaments.

The selection is brutal.