“All my life I have been asking for strong opponents. Problem solved”: what Makhachev talked about after winning the UFC title

- What emotions do you experience after winning the championship title?

“Of course, I am very happy.

I've worked all my life for this moment.

Just very happy.

- It seemed that you literally dominated Charles Oliveira.

- He said many times that he would not be able to put pressure on me like his previous rivals.

Followed the plan that was prepared with the coaches ... I have respect for Charles.

This is a very tough guy with an unbending character.

In addition, he had a difficult life.

I respect not only Oliveira, but also his team.

In fact, I did this throughout the week.

But at the same time, I did not get tired of repeating: I will transfer him (to the stalls. -

) and finish.

Did anything surprise you about his actions?

- When I translated it for the first time, I realized that Charles has the skills to work on the ground.

Then several elbow strikes followed, but it just did not strike.

I know my grappling skills, so I had a takedown.

He just did everything he said.

What new goals are you setting for yourself?

- Become number one in the UFC, regardless of the rating.

Now I have one more task - to go to Australia and beat Alexander Volkanovski there.

- Do you already know about the fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Abubakar Nurmagomedov?

I just gave out a lot of interviews.

Then he looked into the locker room and washed, and then immediately came here.

Therefore, I did not hear anything about the conflict.

- Who was the first to call after the victory?

- Home to mom.

For an hour after the fight it was not possible to pick up the phone.

As soon as it came out, I immediately dialed ... Mom sent photos all week, how she cooks pies and distributes them to neighbors.

He said that he would come soon and also try.

Now I just want to return to Dagestan, there are no special plans.

- What did Khabib Nurmagomedov tell you after the fight in the locker room?

- He congratulated even in the "cage".

He joked that it was not just that we came to Abu Dhabi.

- What would Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov say to you now if he were alive?

“First, we would definitely analyze the mistakes.

But I think he would be proud of me.

All my life I obeyed him and did everything as he said.

He always repeated that I would be the next champion after Khabib.

Circumstances were such that it was not possible to fight for the belt immediately after he finished.

But even now it is not too late to do so.

I am glad that I took the belt from such a worthy opponent.

— You were the world champion in combat sambo.

Does that feel like winning a belt in the

- Honestly, I thought for a long time that I was ripe for a championship fight.

Throughout his professional career, he faced the same problems - he could not fight with any of the tops.

Everyone came up with some kind of excuse.

Not that they were afraid, but it did not work.

Before this fight, everyone also said that I, they say, had not yet met with the strongest.

They argued whether I deserved or not a chance to win the title.

But I proved that I can stop anyone.

Everyone saw my level.

- Would you agree to meet with Oliveira on his territory in Brazil?

“We have a great big team.

It's great that now we can all go to Australia and try to prepare there.

Khabib said many times before the fight: if the UFC wants to organize a title fight in Brazil, no problem.

We even sent a message to Dana White about it.

We can show it.

We were ready to fight in Brazil.

- Khabib Nurmagomedov, having spent two title defenses in the

- I definitely have no thoughts about ending my career.

I want to remain a champion and be number one in the ranking regardless of the category, and then we'll see.

- No thoughts of ever trying yourself in welterweight?

- I have to defend this belt several times, and then think about how to climb higher.

In principle, it would be great to become a champion there.

If I dominate my weight, why not try.

Either way, you will be remembered.

Trying your hand at another category and losing is not such a terrible event.

For example, Volkanovski killed everyone in featherweight and wants to try his luck at 70 kg.

He can become a double champion and go down in history as Georges St-Pierre.

- How difficult will the Australian be for you?

“He’s a very tough guy, but he’s too small for this division.

If he wants to fight at 70kg, please let's do it.

But, I think, Alexander's level is simply not enough for this weight category.

- Can Oliveira be called your toughest opponent?

- If you give space to opponents, they will all turn out to be tough.

But both Khabib and Javier Mendez have been telling me all week: “Focus and follow the plan, if you don’t start backing away from it, you will win an easy victory.”

Therefore, there is nothing special about what happened.

- And who can you call the toughest right now?

- I watched the duel between Beneil Dariusz and Mateusz Gamrot.

They put up a good fight.

I think the American is now one of the contenders for the belt.

I don't know with whom they will put me.

I repeat, all my life I asked for strong opponents, but they did not want to fight me.

Glad this issue is now resolved.

They all have to meet with me.

- Is it true that you spent a total of about $ 1 million on preparation?

- Not.

More precisely, if I paid for everything myself, it would have come out about that much.

But we came to Dubai as a team of 20 people and the people here took care of us, providing training camp, accommodation and so on.

The first camp was held in Dagestan, the second - in Kislovodsk and the third - in Dubai.

I always took with me a team and suitable sparring partners, people next to whom I feel comfortable.

So even half of the indicated amount was not spent personally.

- You almost always prefer sportswear.

Will we see you on this occasion in more classic outfits?

I don't feel comfortable in suits.

The last time I wore it was for a wedding.

They hang in the closet, and so far there is no reason to get them.

What do you say when you walk into the octagon?

“I always ask the Almighty to grant victory.

I repeat the same thing.

But the Almighty always gives more than I ask.

- When you found yourself with Oliveira on the ground in the second round, did you immediately realize that you were able to choke?

- The thought was spinning in my head that I could finish it on the ground.

But I was also confident in my actions in the standing position, as I prepared very well.

We have fully studied his plan.

I have excellent coaches in percussion technique.

They said that the side would definitely pass.

Oliveira always walks straight and keeps her hands in front of her.

Therefore, in this component, he did not manage to surprise me with anything.

- How important is the big money for you, which you can now earn?

“If I start saying that I don’t want to earn money, I’ll be lying.

But now I have no problems with money.

I have everything I want to afford.

Friends nearby to help if needed.

I have been training all my life to win this belt.

Glad that it happened and that it was not in vain.

- How do you like the support of the audience in Abu Dhabi?

“I am very happy to become a champion here.

You heard how the whole arena supported me.

I got great energy from the fans.