Kazakh mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Artem Reznikov On June 17, Sochi will host the ACA Lightweight Grand Prix quarterfinal matchup against Davi Ramos, who has been playing in the UFC since March 2017. Meanwhile, a fighter from Brazil has managed to pick up four wins with three losses in the organization. Ramos has lost his last two UFC fights against Islam Makhachev (in September 2019) and Arman Tsarukyan (in July 2020). Since then, the 35-year-old Brazilian fighter has not fought.
Reznikov, 30, has 22 wins and six losses in MMA, while the last time a Kazakh fighter entered the octagon was in September 2020, when he beat a Russian by split decision. Yusuf Raisov. After that, Reznikov managed to come into conflict with the ASA because of a rematch with Raisov.
Recall that the league on its official resources announced a rematch in December 2021, however, under the announcement of this rematch, Reznikov left a comment: “Why am I not aware?” After that, public correspondence began with a discussion of fees. In general, the second chapter of the fundamental confrontation between Raisov and Reznikov was not intended to take place then.
Now the relationship between Reznikov and ASA has changed for the better. And both fighters are taking part in a solid Lightweight Grand Prix that brings together the best fighters in this division. It’s the rematch between Raisov and Reznikov in the Grand Prix Final that many fans want to see.
To do this, Reznikov must go through Ramos next Friday, after which in the semifinals he will meet the best of the quarterfinals Ali Bagov – Rashid Magomedov (the fight will take place on July 22 in Sochi), and Raisov will compete with Eduard Vartanyan for reaching the decisive stage.
The correspondent spoke to both Raisov and Reznikov.
Reznikov wants to try his hand at boxing, even though he doesn’t particularly follow the sport
“A year and nine months have passed since my last fight,” says Reznikov. – This time has passed quickly, but I really missed it, I can’t wait to get into the octagon.
– Were there options to fight earlier?
Yes, there were such options. But I tore my chest in October and recovered for a very long time. Now there is nothing to worry about. I am in good shape.
– A little more than six months ago, you had a conflict with the ASA on the background of the announcement of your revenge with Raisov.
“Now everything is settled, we are on good terms with the league.
– Your current contract is only designed for the Grand Prix?
– At the Grand Prix, and then we’ll watch.
– Is there an offer from America?
– There were conversations, but I would not like to go into details. I have a valid contract with the ASA, it must be completed, and at the moment everything is fine with me.
But do you want to join the UFC?
– Of course I want. I am the fighters of Kazakhstan.
I will now face Davy Ramos, who recently competed in the UFC, and he did well. Lost to good highs in recent fights – Arman and Islam. To be honest, I only watched those two of his fights, I didn’t watch them anymore. That’s enough. Why study combat five years ago? People change during this time.
– Can you name Ramos’ weaknesses?
– I will try to fight with him in the rack. My boxing trainer and I have done an analysis, we have blanks that can be used.
– Now, by the way, many MMA fighters try their hand at boxing.
“I would like to try. I have good boxing, I train with the masters of the sport and it is going well. There were no corresponding proposals, but they were offered on camera. But there there is a small surcharge. Yes, and the cam does not interest me so much, a traumatic sport. After a fight, you can leave for a long time.
Who would you like to do a boxing match with?
– I wouldn’t do it with boxers. But with an MMA fighter or a boxing fist – it’s interesting. But I confess that I am not much boxing.
– Even behind Gennady Golovkin’s fights?
– No no. Golovkin’s fights are different. Boxers like Golovkin, Canelo, Usyk, Joshua, I am.
– Recently, Saul Alvarez lost to Dmitry Bivol.
“Now I will keep an eye on Bivol.” I liked his performance.
But let’s talk about Golovkin, shall we?
“I don’t know him personally. As in Russia, probably, Khabib (Nurmagomedov), so in Kazakhstan – Golovkin.
– On September 17, Golovkin, 40, is to participate in a trilogy with Alvarez, 31.
Yes, there is a big age difference. But if Golovkin can win, it will go down in history for a lifetime. He’s great to go out and box at such a level. We must give him his due.
Reznikov: “I don’t even think about Raisov. We do not talk”
– We have already remembered the performance of Ramos in the UFC. And who can now be called the strongest lightweight in the UFC?
– I am thinking of Islam Makhachev. In my opinion, he should beat Oliveira. In principle, the two strongest fighters should meet in the near future, and it will be a very interesting duel. And this fight will take place on the ground. I doubt Oliveira can finish it from the bottom, and whoever is on top wins the round.
– Back to the ACA Grand Prix. Doesn’t it seem that your part of the group is stronger than the one in which Raisov and Eduard Vartanyan have already reached the semi-finals?
– It happened. Our part of the network is stronger. But there are no questions. The league did not choose the grid, but adjusted to the desire of the fighters. Someone wanted to fight in March, someone – later. I had an injury, that’s why I said I could fight in June. ASA reviewed the athlete’s readiness.
– I’m sure you consider yourself the favorite in your grid. Who do you think you will face in the final?
– Either Vartanyan or Raisov (smiling). If Vartanyan is in the same form as in the fight with Ilunga, then in a percentage ratio of 60-40 in favor of Raisov. If Vartanyan enters such form as he fought with Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov, Andrei Koshkin, then Eduard will win.
Raisov is a fighter who always looks the same. And if you take Vartanyan two years ago, he’s a slightly different fighter.
– Okay, many fans want to see your confrontation with Raisov in the final.
Yes, I have to win two fights first. And I don’t want to look behind Ramos. All thoughts revolve around him.
– Are you in contact with Raisov?
– We just have a negative attitude towards each other. We don’t greet each other and we don’t talk to each other. I do not care. I don’t even think of him.
– If you have to share a cage with him, then it will only be a sport?
No, and personal too.
– In the last quarter-final on July 22, Ali Bagov and Rashid Magomedov will also meet in Sochi.
– It’s a good fight, one of the strongest of the moment. This is the only pair where the two CIS fighters meet, and not against a Brazilian or an African. If Ali cuts the weight well, he will be a slight favorite.
Raisov: ‘I don’t like Reznikov, and there are reasons for that’
– How did you react to the fact that your fight with Vartanyan was postponed from September to November?
– Wrong. I found out a few days before the announcement. Well, what to do. I wish Edik a speedy recovery. No one is safe from this.
– Your last fight was in March. Accordingly, the next one will take place in November. Not too big simple?
“I’ve had downtime like this before. It has not affected me and will not affect me in the future. I always do performances, competitions: whether in grappling or wrestling. Maybe I’ll do some boxing.
– What do you think of MMA fighters trying their hand at boxing?
– I heard that boxers are bad about it. Probably, they consider him disrespectful to their sport.
I wouldn’t say that. When a fighter challenges a high class boxer, it is of course wrong. And if an MMA fighter fights another MMA fighter or against a boxing veteran…I think that’s a good idea and a good story.
– With whom would you like to fight according to the rules of boxing?
“To be honest, I didn’t even think about it. I would like to fight someone from the Europeans.
– And compatriots?
– I like to compete against foreign athletes more. It also attracts people. But if there is an interesting name, why not.
Back to your fight in the semi-finals. What weaknesses can you name in Vartanyan?
– I see my superiority in all aspects. That’s why I train hard. We’ll see you all in November. In all aspects I have to be better, and Edik thinks he is better. I wish him a speedy recovery, that he gets back to his best form and that we show a spectacular fight.
– Who can you make out on the other side of the Grand Prix grid?
All four fighters are strong. Rashid is my friend, we communicate warmly. Let’s see how the guys show themselves.
– Okay, many fans want to see your final with Reznikov. Is this opposition fundamental?
– I have an aversion, and for that my reasons. If it was personal, I wouldn’t expect a duel, but like any self-respecting man, I should have made up my mind. And we decided when there was something personal.
I have long been a peaceful person and am not a talker to set up fights. I go out and fight. If there is something personal, then we don’t decide it in public.
– Reznikov says that there is hostility and you do not communicate.
– We have the right, we are men, there is no problem with that.
– But you have to admit that such a final would have been the brightest.
For the public, yes. For me…I wouldn’t say.
I’m interested in Davi Ramos, we’ve known each other for a long time. And I also consider myself a good grappler. I have a good grappling coach Arbi Muradov, good wrestling coaches. These are the legendary guys – Adam Saitiev, Zelimkhan Huseynov. Some of the best sparring with me are Razambek Zhamalov, Akhmed Chakaev. In boxing – Bahram Murtazaliev. In MMA, all my brothers. They’re just guys who are the best in their sport. It is by working with them that I have to evolve.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
