Everyone associates the name of Rasul Mirzaev with MMA. The fighter has 18 wins and four losses, the last time he entered the ACA league octagon was in March of this year. Now Mirzaev will be able to fulfill his dream – to try his hand at boxing. On October 7, in Moscow, he will organize a boxing match with Nikolai Chibisov, a well-known bare-knuckle fighter.
The October 7 show will take place at the Grand Circus of Moscow, and last Friday Mirzaev attended as a guest another boxing tournament at the same venue on Vernadsky Avenue, where Gleb Bakshi, the bronze medalist of the Tokyo Olympics, happened.
In the break between fights, Mirzaev answered several questions, starting of course with his own boxing match with Chibis. You will also learn from this conversation:
“I LOVE BOXING AND UNDERSTAND THAT I CAN SHOW MYSELF”
“I wanted to do boxing for a long time, the opportunity presented itself,” began the conversation with Mirzaev. – Pravda offered – signed the contract. I don’t know Chibisov fights at all. I knew he was playing punches… A talented youngster, I’m already old.
– Do you know now?
– Already aware, we are preparing. Boxing is new to me – you have to try to show yourself. Chibisov is young, hot… I don’t watch him from such an experience anymore – I’m interested in getting out, feeling and seeing how it goes.
– How can you characterize Chibisov?
– Time will tell us. I don’t like to say big words. He is a young and talented guy. I haven’t watched his fights yet. I just know how it works. There are people who have worked with him or seen him play. After all, my teammates are fists. And I understand how to work and what to do.
Is the transition from MMA to boxing difficult?
– No problem. There was a time when I could compete in four different sports. The specifics are slightly different, the atmosphere in the head is important. I love boxing, I have always fought with good boxers, I understand that I can show myself.
– You were at a crossroads after the ASA, you were asked about punches…
– If you think about health, the “cam” is more traumatic. We will have to recover – this money is not worth it. Not 30 million, like Magomed Ismailov. I’ve had offers, but Pravda’s offer is closer to me. And we will monitor in the future.
– You yourself mentioned about 30 million Ismailovs. Maybe you chose the Pravda league because of the ability to pay there?
— This league was closer to me. In addition, I dreamed of competing in boxing, now I will have such an opportunity. I mainly work for the public. I know what I am capable of in terms of boxing.
– And yet, when agreeing to fight on October 7, did the desire to try boxing or the financial aspect predominate in the first place?
– Desire to try boxing. You can’t run far for finances. And I’m on this experience – where to run?.
– Is it possible to say that the fight with Chibisov is for you a kind of “gateway” to fights on YouTube?
” I did not think about it. Time will tell us. I haven’t set myself any global goals, I just have a desire to compete in boxing.
– Pop Martial Arts is not for you – is that a bad statement?
– Bad. When I was performing, I was fighting for teapots. And now the financial side is important. Everything is interesting, it just depends on the offers, the price. I already have such experience and at such an age that I do not need to fight for 30 rubles. I need to understand that I can then rest in peace and live quietly for a while, collect my thoughts (smiling).
“I’M SURE KHABIB IS MISSING THIS JOB”
– You mentioned your age several times. There is an example of Khabib Nurmagomedov, when he marked the end of his career. Other fighters don’t make such claims, but try to go from fight to fight. Do you have an idea of the length of your career?
I am Rasul. Khabib is in his place, Rasul is in his place. He has a chance and an opportunity in life, I have another. Do you agree? If you look smartly, he’s on one level, I’m on another. He has no desire, because he already has everything he wanted. And maybe I have unfinished business that I want to try to do. I’m used to trying new things, to get adrenaline.
I’m sure he (Khabib) misses this job. He has a whole team that he leads and trains. Bored… And sooner or later… This appetite is installed inside and it cannot be stopped. And sooner or later he will wake up … And then like Fedya (Emelianenko). He has everything, but he wants to perform, strives for it.
This is called inner desire. We can’t do without it, it’s a bit, roughly speaking, like a drug already injected. It is better to throw him in a cage than, for example, on the street. Emotions and so on. There is a cumulative process – if you limit yourself in one direction, it will get worse in another. There are a lot of examples of UFC fighters, my example… I understand that everything has to be pointed in the right direction. And the right direction is sports. And it’s better to make money than just splash energy.
– Did we understand your message correctly – Will Khabib Nurmagomedov ever want to come back?
“I think a voice inside him is saying, ‘Try it.’ He trains, he has an urge… After all, he does it for some reason.
– Recently, perhaps, the most discussed athlete in the world of martial arts is Khamzat Chimaev.
“He’s a hot, talented young guy. He looks very strong. He imposed himself in such a way that everyone wants to see and hear him. His last fight showed it. There will be pros and cons. But I’m glad there is such a person. This is a new stage in our sport. CFU Trade. They announce those who bring them money. They have many talented fighters. But now it’s time for Khamzat, he puts on a real show.
He has his own life, and Khamzat himself decides how to live. He is a great mule who will decide everything himself. He is in his skin and knows what to do.
– How do you judge Chimaev’s championship ambitions?
– There are prospects, but a change of weight class is already in question. He is young, all his adrenaline with a constant cut will end sooner or later. He wins and (at a different weight) he can show even more. There are more prospects.
When we did freestyle wrestling as a kid, I drove weight. And it was difficult for me, I couldn’t always get over it. And the people who fought with me went to other categories and then became Olympic champions. Need to feel. His anthropometry (of Chimaev) allows it.
– In conclusion, a few questions about UFC 280. Nurmagomedov’s statement emerged on Friday, in which he doubts Brazilian Charles Oliveira will reach Abu Dhabi, ahead of the UFC lightweight title fight against the Russian Islam Makhachev, and there will be a change of opponent.
“It’s an internal intrigue between people. In a good way, they have their own Santa Barbara. I know Islam, but not Oliveira. I support my compatriot. It turns out that it’s the rebirth of our nation – Dagestan. (Victory) will give a new influx (in sports), new energy. This is what our young people need. After all, everyone wants to see the belt in their country.
– To some extent, I can’t believe this fight will happen. After all, there are so many storylines – this one won’t come, this one won’t come. Moreover, in Abu Dhabi, the public will be for Islam. And at first there seemed to be an agreement on Brazil. The native land gives strength.
– According to bookmakers, Oliveira, after serious past victories, acts in the status of an outsider, which causes misunderstandings among some fans and experts.
– Everything said and done will then be used against me (Laughs). We wish you good luck and a good fight. That’s all (Laughs).
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.
