“When I beat people, endorphins were released.” UFC newcomer Daria Zheleznyakova talks about her martial arts journey

Darya Zheleznyakova, 27, has eight victories and one loss in MMA, the fighter has spent the last three fights in the French Ares league, including the victorious one against Liana Jojua. And in mid-June a message appeared about signing Zheleznyakova to the UFC. There is no exact date for the league debut yet, but Zheleznyakova’s manager Alexander Skaredin suggests it will happen at UFC Paris on September 2.

In the meantime, spoke with UFC newcomer Daria Zheleznyakova. And from this interview you can learn:

“A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY TO ME, ‘AMANDA NUNEZ ENDED THE CAREER HOW YOU CAME IN’

– Daria, do you remember your emotions when you learned that you had become a UFC fighter?

– This is very pleasant and bright news. My coach and co-manager Fernand Lopez (works with Cyril Gan, ex-coach of Francis Ngannou) wrote to me in a messenger. He offered to call at 12 p.m. And he said, “I have good news.” Although I had a small guess that it might be a contract with the UFC. And when he told me about the signing, I screamed. I was very, very happy. Although I admit that after, say, those first tears, I didn’t quite believe it, but then the UFC started sending out official paperwork.

Can we say that a dream comes true?

“When I found out I was signed to the UFC, I felt very, very happy. Reassured me once again that I am on the right path.

In your opinion, what interests the UFC?

– An 8-1 record in women’s MMA itself implies some sort of overseas prospect. Look at UFC and PFL girl stats… He’s the same as mine. In the UFC, girls are signed even with a lower record. So I don’t understand your question. I am an active fighter, giving prospects, showing good results. Everything is logical.

Are you ready to make some noise in the UFC bantamweight division?

– In addition to the fact that I am happy after signing, I understand that I now have even more responsibilities. Although I used to plow, but now I will plow even more. I have even more motivation.

Who did you share the good news with first?

– I had no right to spread this news, but I told my mother first. She also cried with joy. She knows better than anyone how it all happened. But my mother said at the end: “Dasha, wait a little longer, you have to wait for the official papers.” Then I called my former freestyle coach Sharap Gitinov. And he was also very happy for me. He was very supportive of me through tough times and said I would be in the UFC.

– Okay, isn’t it enough just to sign with the UFC?

– I agree 100%. You need to believe in yourself, competently build the training process, in order to be surrounded by the right people. Well, you have to set yourself the highest goals, why not? !

– Aren’t you upset that the No. 1 ranked non-weight class UFC champion in two weight classes, Brazilian Amanda Nunez, has retired?

– A lot of people tell me: “She ended her career, as you came” (laughs). I do not worry. It’s his decision. I had a conversation with the former coaching staff about meeting Nunes about two years ago when I replied that I would probably fight her. But for that, I needed to raise my level of jiu-jitsu. And the main condition for this fight was to have the right coach in my corner and a clear plan. In general, we projected our possible fight with Nunes. Although I think it’s a stupid idea to hunt a fighter. After all, there will always be new fighters. Therefore, you must first think of yourself and your progress.

– Now Daria Zheleznyakova appeared in the UFC.

– Well, yes (laughs).

“FOR THE FIRST HALF OF A YEAR I WALKED JIU-JITSU THROUGH TEARS, I DIDN’T LIKE IT SO MUCH…I JUST LOVED BOXING”

– Here is a trivial question – why did you choose martial arts?

“To be honest, I barely remember it. First I came to Thai boxing, then there was kickboxing. And when I started doing martial arts, I was 15. I remember that at first I was just a fan of training. Then I got involved in classic boxing and our relationship with boxing lasted about four years. I was in the national team, I went to the Russian championships, then I ended up in MMA.

Initially, I was considering switching from amateur boxing to professional boxing, but after studying the situation and my prospects in women’s professional boxing… There was no suitable manager and team. And even then, I followed MMA, but realized that to participate in mixed martial arts, I had to master grappling and freestyle wrestling. And it is very difficult.

I had to go through a difficult path during my time in MMA. The hardest part is mastering the fight. I was very lucky to meet Sharap Gitinov on my way, who instilled in me a love for freestyle wrestling, which is not yet visible in my performances (laughs). It was very difficult for me to fight on the ground. As a typical boxer and striker, I had an aversion to ground fighting. It was psychologically difficult for me. For about the first six months or a year, through tears, I went to train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, realizing that I needed it. I forced myself not to want. I didn’t really like it and it pissed me off. I loved boxing. And now, oddly enough, I’m sick of the strike, and I love jiu-jitsu. I’m obsessed with training jiu-jitsu. Over time, everything will last, fall in love.

And your favorite boxing?

– Past love, wilted tomatoes (laughs). I like it, but there’s always some kind of activity that gets boring. It’s more interesting for me now to go to wrestling than to hit material. I want to be a generalist with clear advice.

– Can you remember the last time you used your skills outside of the cage and the training room?

“There was no such thing. Fighters don’t fight on the outside.

– Well, maybe there was something before you started professional martial arts?

– Yes, there was an unpleasant moment that I would not like to announce. But I, a 15-year-old girl, was first instilled with the desire to practice martial arts, love and passion for this sport. After school, I really enjoyed training. Here, I had endorphins when I beat people (laughs). Everything is simple. I also remember that I liked Gina Carano at the time.

“THE WORD ON WOMEN IN THE MARTIAL ARTS CAN BE CONSECRATED IN A GREAT SEPARATE INTERVIEW”

– What do you think of the prejudice that martial arts are not for women?

– (After a pause). To be honest, this is a very deep question, which can be devoted to a whole huge interview. But to answer briefly… It’s in the past, everything comes from the patriarchal system. Now in the world everything is different, especially in women’s martial arts. Including in Russia.

“And how often do you encounter such comments directed at you?”

” I’m not paying attention. It’s just that if they write like that, then the person has nothing to say. Although sometimes they ask me why I’m in martial arts, and not in the modeling business (laughs). A person has the right to decide what to do. There are many disadvantages and nuances in the modeling business, it is not suitable for everyone. It’s easier to judge from the outside, but the world is a little different.

– So you see yourself exclusively in martial arts?

– No. Yes, the next five years are battles. But I also see myself in other areas. I don’t want to dwell on MMA, but I don’t want to talk about my thoughts and reasoning either. My career will not end in MMA – 100%.

– What is your goal for the next chapter of your life, which is called “UFC”?

– You need competent preparation, and I want to approach the fight for the belt. And not only to participate in a fight for the title, but also to become champion. Yes, each fighter fights for their own reasons. Someone has exclusively sporting ambitions, while someone has finances and fame.

– In your UFC division, your Rat team partner Irina Alekseeva performs. Are you ready for a face to face fight?

– Why not? If they bet against her, they will have to fight. Our manager Alexander Skaredin, it seems to me, will answer this question more correctly. But I quite normally consider the possibility of a meeting (with Irina Alekseeva). Remember, Arman Tsarukyan fought with Damir Ismagulov, and they have been working with the same manager for a long time. I don’t think it should stop.

“KHABIB IN A SKIRT”? IT’S NICE TO BE COMPARED TO THE LEGEND, BUT I THINK NURMAGOMEDOV MOST WOULD NOT LIKE IT”

– Who is your favorite fighter?

“Pet Yan!” Yeah, he doesn’t have the best streak right now, but I think he’ll make a strong statement about himself soon again. Also as a person and as a fighter, I like Dustin Poirier. I also like the way Khamzat Chimaev and Muhammad Mokaev are fighting. Well, how can I not remember Khabib Nurmagomedov? ! He is very cool. But, as everyone knows, he ended his career.

– By the way, while preparing for our conversation, I came across an article in which you are called “Khabib in a skirt.”

– (Laughs). It is very funny. Yes, yes, there was an interview where it was even headlined. It’s good to be compared to a legend. Although I think Khabib himself certainly wouldn’t like that. He basically doesn’t support female fights, but I was very happy with such a comparison.

– And where does such a comparison come from?

– I think everything is very simple here. It was an interview not for a specialized publication, but everyone knows Khabib (smiles).

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