The Souza fight will be Alexander Shlemenko’s first professional fight in Omsk in the last 12 years. When Shlemenko last fought in his city, his statistics were 32-6, YouTube was barely seen in Russia, and Andrei Koreshkov (student and training partner. – ) had not yet started his professional career.
Now, Shlemenko will face Kleber Sousa (23-13 in MMA, 37) at a difficult time in his career: a month ago he lost by knockout to Alexander Ilyich, and in December he is expected to fight Magomed Ismailov in Yekaterinburg. . Provided Souza flies to Russia for a knockout.
– How and when were you offered a fight with Alexander Shlemenko?
– This fight could have taken place four years ago at the RCC in Yekaterinburg, but other opponents were found for us: me and Alexandra. But I always wanted to fight him. It didn’t work out for a long time, but now it’s a great honor for me to fight with such a legendary fighter.
I know from him that he is very strong, that he is a former Bellator champion, a legend in Russia. So, I train well so that everything goes.
– Can you name the city where Shlemenko lives and his statistics in MMA without a search engine?
“Oksch… Onsk… Oks… I know it’s a big city in Siberia, where there are more than a million inhabitants. But that doesn’t really interest me, because I’m going to war. Ready for it. As soon as the cage closes, we will have a war.
Shlemenko’s statistics – 64 wins and 14 losses, if I’m not mistaken (Shlemenko’s statistics – 62 wins, 14 losses. – “”).
– Shlemenko had several rivals from Brazil: Viscardi Andrade, Bruno Silva, Maykel Falco. Do you know any personally?
– I know everyone, and with Viscardi Andrade we trained together in the same camp. When he fought Shlemenko, I was supposed to fight in the ASA.
– When Shlemenko knocked out Falcao, he said the famous line: “We are the champions and the Brazilians are lying there.” Has this sentence been translated into Portuguese and is it known in Brazil?
“Yes, those words have spread here. Therefore, many Brazilians want to fight him, perceiving it as a kind of challenge. But she doesn’t offend me at all, doesn’t anger me. I want to come and show him in the cage who goes to bed where.
– Little is known about you in Russia. You can give some facts about yourself.
– I am 37 years old, I was born in the state of Sao Paulo in the city of Itaquaquesetuba. I have two daughters, I’m married, I worked in the police. I’ve been doing MMA for over 17 years. He was the champion of SFT, it’s one of the biggest promotions in Latin America. And I would like to show my level in Omsk.
You started karate, didn’t you?
– Yes, I started to practice Kyokushin karate, my teacher is no longer alive. Trained with Lyoto Machida, along with a number of famous fighters. When I fly to Omsk, I will prove that my karate is much better than Shlemenko’s kicking technique.
– In addition to Shlemenko’s phrase about Brazilians, how clear is his image for you? Do you know that he takes a rather active stance on a number of issues in Russia, is patriotic and promotes a healthy lifestyle?
Yes, yes, I know that too. And I support him in this – I am also against alcohol and tobacco products. I also believe that our generation should be healthy. And I think this position of Shlemenko interrupts some of his minor shortcomings. And with this sentence, I think, he did not touch the Brazilian nation, but challenged the Brazilian athletes.
Do you also have your own school for children?
— I have my own school. It’s called K2 MMA. I train children and young athletes: I can distinguish three guys. One is called Brian, he is 16 years old, he still performs as an amateur. There’s another 19-year-old guy who’s won three pro fights. And I would like to name my sister Alana Souza. I think she will soon fight and win in Russia.
– During your career, with which of the famous fighters did you train?
– Viscardi Andrade, Charles Oliveira, Lyoto Machida, Max Mariano – trained and trained with them.
– Charles Oliveira should fight with Islam Makhachev for the UFC belt. Will Oliveira win this fight?
– We know Charles well, he is also from Sao Paulo. We trained together, we fought. I think in the first or second round, he will finish this fight. KO or finish it all in one fight.
He has every chance of winning, it’s his moment, his day, Charles will win. Unfortunately, the Russian fighter has no chance.
– So you’re sure that Oliveira will defeat Makhachev?
– Yes.
– What do you think of Shlemenko’s defeat in Alexander Ilic’s last fight?
– Was it a fight? I don’t think there was a fight. There was this knee and the situation, like Conor McGregor with Jose Aldo. I think this in no way spoils Shlemenko’s career and does not deprive Alexander of any badges. This fight means nothing.
– Many people think that some of the fighters from Brazil are brought to Russia with almost no chance of winning. Can you explain what you will do to beat Shlemenko in his tournament.
– Of course, when we fight somewhere outside our country, there is a certain pressure. After all, we want to show our country and ourselves in the best light. I will be motivated in this fight that I will defend the honor of my country – Brazil. And what will I do in the battle with the legend.
For me, this will be the most important fight of my career. I have fought with Russians before, with strong guys – with Sergey Martynov (16-5 in MMA), with Georgy Kichigin (25-9). But fighting Shlemenko is very important for my career, for my personal development.
– Shlemenko is known for not giving up during rounds if he encounters them in combat. If you take a painful one, are you psychologically ready to, for example, break your arm?
No, I wouldn’t do that. Because I wouldn’t want any of my students in the same situation to break something. But I want to tell everyone and Alexandre that I won’t need to go around, I’m just going to touch him and come out of the cage a winner. I’m going to Russia to put on a good show at this tournament so everyone understands who’s who. I will definitely emerge victorious.
In fact, like Shlemenko, I’m known in Brazil as a fighter who doesn’t give up. I don’t care if my arm or my leg is broken, I’ll go through with it. Like him, he is used to going all the way. So in Russia we will show the public a very nice fight.
– I read in a publication that your fees would be 25,000 dollars?
No, the amount is lower. But if suddenly in Russia they pay me more, I will only be happy.
– Three most famous fighters in Russia for you?
– Of course, Fedor Emelianenko, he is a real monster and he is the strongest fighter. I would also name Sergey Martynov, with whom he fought. And the third – Shlemenko. These are for me three fighters who personify MMA in Russia. I might add Khabib here, but I don’t really like his fighting style and what he does in the cage.
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.
