Russian-born British fighter Muhammad Mokaev told that most people come to sport to earn money, but if they don’t have the opportunity to play for their country, they can only change of sports citizenship.
Mokaev was born in Buynaksk in 2000, but when he was 12 he moved with his family to England and represented Great Britain in amateur MMA competitions. Now Mokaev plays in the UFC. Previously, Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina spoke out in favor of a change of sporting citizenship in order to be able to participate in international tournaments.
– What do you think of the change in sports citizenship?
“People have been plowing since childhood, their aim is to earn money. Maybe someone just wants to be an Olympic champion, because he has money and all, he has just enough medals, but 98% came here to earn money for the family. If they can’t play, what choice do they have? Of course, playing for other countries.
The country either has to provide them (and they don’t provide much), or solve political problems so that athletes, and not just athletes … here you could, for example, fly safely to tournaments , so that everyone gets visas . Let them, and not for people to sit and wait,” Mokaev told .
– It still seems to me that the British flag behind your back does not prevent you from feeling like a Dagestan and always saying something about yourself and your homeland to the rest of the world?
– Of course, it doesn’t bother me. There is no problem with that.
– The UFC only allows the use of the state flag during outings or photo shoots. If you had the opportunity to go out under the flag of the Republic of Dagestan, would you like to?
– That would be interesting. I wasn’t allowed to do it when I started, but if it’s allowed, I’d like to be the first fighter to do it.
Mokaev (7-0 in MMA) will fight at a tournament in London on July 23, his opponent will be 31-year-old American Charles Johnson (11-2). The fight will take place in the flyweight division (up to 56.7 kg).
Source : MatchTV
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