Alim Nabiev last fight. - And how do you feel about this?

Who will be Alim Nabiev's next opponent?

I was prompted to write this article by the news that the next rival of Alim "Professor" Nabiev will become known in the near future. Moreover, the fighter himself announced this news. It is noteworthy that he offered to try to predict who would be his next opponent. “Who do you think the next fight is?” Alim wrote on his Instagram. Well, let me try to predict with whom exactly Nabiev will cross gloves. I don’t pretend to be the “Wanga of last resort”, I’ll try to reason logically. Go.

Rematch with Grigoryan

Of course, Alim and all his fans want the Professor to have a title rematch with Glory welterweight champion Harut Grigoryan in the next fight. It should be noted that Alim lost to Harut by decision on June 2. So, returning to revenge, there are several pros and cons of this event.

"Behind"

Pavel Zhuravlev, interim Glory light heavyweight champion, in his recent interview, noted the importance of having a fan sector / subscribers in social networks. Nabiev has complete order with this issue. Alim received tremendous support from his fans on Instagram and other social networks. And when the "Professor" raised the issue of revenge, they warmly supported their favorite. Glory cannot but pay attention to such a fan army and can heed its requests/demands. After all, any fight is a business. And the "business" Grigoryan - Nabiev 2 can bring a good gesheft, since so many thousands of people want to see it.

Another “Pro” is the quality of fights from Alim. Nabiev powerfully entered the organization, not exchanging for warm-up fights. He consistently beat the tough "Thai" Vigne and two former welterweight champions Nicky Holzken and Cedric Dumbe.

"Against"

Alim is not your boyfriend. It's not from Mike Passenier, not from the Coliseum, not from Hemmers Gym. He is a great fighter, but not his own, and no one will give him such a "nishtyak" as a rematch with Grigoryan, in the corner of which stands Nick Hemmers.

Another “against”: Alim did not work out for an instant revenge. I will explain my opinion. There was Nicky Holzken, who lost to Dumba and was immediately given a rematch. BUT! Remember how many years Holzken was champion in the organization, whom he beat and how many title defenses he had! Alim, with all due respect, was only in the status of an official contender, not a champion with several defenses.

Based on this, I suppose that the promotion bosses can make the following decision: not to force Alim to go through the contender's four, but to give him one fight against a very strong opponent and bring the winner of this duel to the title. Now there is the winner of the contender four Danenberg, who is healing his injury. There is Dumbe, who knocked out Thongchai in a few seconds and now claims the title shot. Also, there is Murtel Gronhart, who now has a 1:1 score with Grigoryan in Glory, and each of the fighters won ahead of schedule. There is also Alan Sheinson, who moved from Argentina to Hemmers Gym, but the fight with Jaraye is almost 100% organized - the guys were supposed to fight anyway, but Mohammed “flew off” due to an injury.

Summarizing all of the above, I would like to suggest that Alim's next opponent may be one of the duo: Groenhart, Dumbe. Alim has not fought Murtel yet, and this fight is guaranteed to be a highlight of any event. As for the rematch with Dumbe, the bosses of the organization need to give Cedric something worthwhile after he destroyed Tongchai. Straightaway title fight he is unlikely to be given, but why not make a revenge with Alim and put the title of the official contender on the line?

In conclusion, I want to say that everything written above is the author's opinion. You may have your own, different from mine. I would be glad if you express your opinion in the comments to the article. Arguments only, please.

Prepared for mmaugly by Alexander Ormanji

A young and promising fighter Alim Nabiev has long won the hearts of not only domestic fans, but also foreign ones. Alim is only 21 years old, and he is already the WMF, W5 and GPRO world kickboxing champion and one of the brightest fighters of such top promotions as ASV KV and KUNLUN FIGHT. Many fans follow Nabiev's career and watch his every fight, but not everyone knows how his love for Thai boxing began and with what philosophy Alim goes through life.

Read our interview and you will learn all the most interesting things about the life of Alim Nabiev.

Blitz Poll
Favorite boxer: Gennady Golovkin
Favorite movie: Ong Bak
Favorite character: Spiderman
What superpower would you like to have? - Read people's minds.
Uplifting song: L "One - Tiger
Favorite food: Draniki with chicken
Your motto: Go forward to your dream, achieve your goals!

As you know, you perform under the flags of three countries: Azerbaijan, Russia and Ukraine. Also, you said that you might add the flag of Georgia. Share what these countries mean to you, what associations do you have with each of them?

I was born in Georgia and lived there until I was four years old, so I consider this country my homeland. At the age of five, I moved to Ukraine, went to kindergarten, finished school, and now I study at the university. From 6 to 10 years old I played football, then I went to Thai boxing. I still live in Ukraine, in the city of Poltava, so I play for this country.

As for Russia, the coach and I received an offer to train there and we moved to Moscow. I performed under the version of the Russian organization W5, this promotion promoted me, did a lot for me, thanks to them I achieved a lot. Therefore, I performed under the flag of Russia.

I consider Azerbaijan my second homeland, because I am an Azerbaijani by nationality and I speak this language. I no longer compete under the Russian flag, so perhaps the Georgian flag will take its place.

Aren't you afraid of losing Russian fans because you stop performing under the Russian flag?

Real fans won't turn down a fighter just because he doesn't compete under their flag. For those who really root for you, it doesn't matter what country you fight for. Sport is out of politics, so I think real fans will support me until the end.

You mentioned that you are studying at the university. Tell us where you study, how you manage to combine training and performance, and how the teachers feel about it. Do the teaching staff know that you are a famous athlete?

I study at the Cooperative University, specializing in Finance and Credit. Poltava - small town, so 90 percent of the inhabitants know me. Accordingly, at the university, teachers also know about my sports career. Everyone supports me, there are no complaints about my studies, despite the fact that I rarely attend classes, they put me good grades(smiles).

You started playing sports as a child. Usually, when children get into martial arts, they are inspired by movies and movie characters. For example, many athletes remember that Bruce Lee and Mike Tyson were examples for them, and who was your inspiration?

At that time, Thai boxing was very popular in my city, and all the guys wanted to join the section. My brothers also practiced Muay Thai, and one day they invited me to join them. I decided to try, at the first training session there were sparring, and I immediately began to succeed. The coach noticed me, we began to actively train, and Thai boxing took first place on my list of priorities. study and personal life I relegated to the background, began to set myself sports goals and pursue them.

Alim, can you remember your first performance?

Of course I remember my first fight, it was children's championship Ukraine in Thai boxing. In the semifinals, I won the first fight, despite the fact that at that time I had only been training for a couple of weeks, and the opponent had already two years of experience in Thai boxing. I defeated him by decision of the judges, reached the final and, of course, lost to a more experienced opponent. But I completed the main tasks at that time: to show myself and feel myself in the ring.

How different are the experiences before the fight in childhood and now? Usually, children take everything much easier and do not understand all the responsibility. So tell me, what was it like performing as a child?

As a child, it was much harder for me, because I was worried about all sorts of trifles. For example, I was very worried about the fact that the opponent is older or taller than me. Parents added fuel to the fire, saying: “Alim, he is older than you, how will you be, no, don’t fight.” At the age of 13-14, I already had bearded fifteen-year-old rivals, but I didn’t have a beard, and this also upset me. I felt like I was fighting some guy (laughs). I lead to the fact that as a child I was worried about everything, but now I'm already used to everything. Although, in childhood, all the achievements mattered only to me, because no one knew me. Now, when I compete in different countries and organizations, they expect a beautiful fight from me and only victory, more responsibility, but I feel at home in the ring, and I'm comfortable.

Your father often accompanies you, travels with you to tournaments abroad and supports you in every possible way. Is he somehow connected with the world of martial arts, does he play sports?

Yes, my dad is always around whenever possible, also, my uncle travels with me. As a child, dad was engaged in wrestling and other sports, but not at a professional level, but just for himself. My father respects my choice and tries to be there if time and work allows him. At every tournament there is someone from my family.

What can you say about the beautiful half of your family? No internal wars about your sports career? Mom is not upset that her son beats people, and his father encourages him in this?

Deep down, they are all happy that I compete, win, do not do bad things and train all the time. Of course, my mother and grandmother are worried, and when I box, they never watch the live broadcast, but peep from the other room (laughs). Anyway, they understand that this is my path and I decide what to do, so they have already reconciled.

Have you ever thought about what you would be doing if you hadn't become a professional fighter?

To be honest, I didn't think about it. Most likely, he would have gone into the restaurant business, opened some establishments. They say that I'm not a stupid boy, so I would come up with something. I have plans to open my own hall, several stores, so now I am working on this as well.

Alim, how do you feel about rematches? There are fighters who do not consider themselves revanchists and do not even consider the possibility of a second fight with the same opponent. What do you think about this and do you have in mind a fighter with whom you would like to have a rematch?

I'm good with rematches. I already have two revenges on my account, which I carried out after my defeats and in which I won. One of the opponents with whom I fought for the second time is Vyacheslav Borshchev. Then I lost because of my youth, but in the second fight I managed to rehabilitate myself and I won. The second fighter I had a rematch with was Massoud Rahimi. In my first TNA fight I didn't get a convincing win, but in a K-1 rematch I beat him via unanimous decision. I believe that rematches are needed, because there are situations when an athlete could be sued, and the only way to prove that you are a winner is to have a rematch.

I would really like to have a rematch with Dzhabar Askerov, although this is most likely already impossible. But on this moment, this is the only opponent I would like to face in battle again.

After the KUNLUN FIGHT 41 tournament, I watched a video of Chinese fans cheering you and everyone wanting to take pictures with you. Fans from China are considered very specific, what are your impressions from communicating with them?

Yes, after the fight, the Chinese attacked me (laughs). Everyone wanted to get an autograph or take a photo, and it was very nice. In the city, when my father and I went for a walk, a haircut and a massage, we were also recognized, and they did everything absolutely free. The Chinese love sports and treat all fighters well. I am very pleased that they treated me so respectfully, despite the fact that I am of a different nationality.

As you said, you spent some time in Moscow, now you have returned to Poltava again. It is clear that in Russia and Ukraine, the level of halls is different, so tell me, does it matter to you how fashionable and comfortable the hall is?

In Poltava, I started my training in the worst conditions, in a small gym, where there was no flooring, but only bare concrete, covered with a carpet. We had torn bags and gloves, but it didn't matter. When I moved to Moscow, where there was a completely different level, I worked out in cool gyms with expensive equipment and simulators. But I don't care where I train. Give me a bag, a couple of stones, iron and I will study. Because it doesn't matter where you train, what matters is with whom.

Before the KUNLUN FIGHT 41 tournament, I had a training camp in Minsk, under the guidance of coach Andrey Sergeevich Gridin. And I want to say that they were my best sparring partners, a lot professional athletes and amateur level fighters who taught me so much in three weeks.

Many athletes move from kickboxing to MMA because there are more fees. Have you thought about a career in mixed martial arts?

Anything is possible, but right now I have a lot of unfinished business in kickboxing. I'm only 21, let's wait and see. But I think you'll see me in a cage too.

According to the plan, I have the KUNLUN FIGHT final in the weight category up to 75 kg. There will be an eight within one tournament, where the KUNLUN FIGHT champion will be determined. And later, closer to October, I have another final at the ACB-KB tournament.

Alim, thank you for such an interesting and sincere interview, do not lose your positive attitude and please us with new victories!

Thanks to you too, all the best.

On November 19, Alim Nabiev won another world title in kickboxing by defeating Yoan Lidon. But if “Professors” in the world of martial arts are known to almost everyone, then many so-called champions are not. Alim revealed the secret of why this is happening and why you can get MSMK in this sport, and also told a lot of interesting things: about the desire to compete in the UFC, about Khabib Nurmagomedov, playing for himself in a computer game and others.

"Opponents must be alternated: strong - passing"

You've had quite a few fights lately. Let's start with the fight in Russia against Francesco Palermo.

The first round was hard, I woke up for a long time. Missed a couple of hits: I underestimated him a little. But during the break, we discussed all the weaknesses with the coach, I slightly relaxed Palermo, then pressed him to the corner, a series of hands - and a knockout.

When you realized that he was stronger than expected - did not you frighten?

I knew I would win anyway. From experience I saw that he was below my level. The only thing, I was afraid of crazy blows - there is always such a moment.

I have a nickname - "Professor", I like to play in public: give up, mock an opponent. But above all, I distract the opponent in such a way, I relax him. Many do not know this, so I have now revealed the secret to make it easier for the opponents (smiles). They begin to think that I am playing with them, but in fact I have already psychologically killed them and it remains only to finish them off.

There is a certain risk that this could end badly ...

If you are confident in yourself, you do it. If you're not sure, then don't.

During the fight, do you always try to please the fans with this style?

To be honest, sometimes it’s not up to the audience. But when I understand that I am fighting and I win 100%, with one goal, then yes, I do what I want. But when the opponent is strong and gives a fight, then the audience is no longer up to it. We must fight and move forward.

How does it happen at your high level that one opponent is weaker and the other is stronger? After all, you have to grow every time.

Before Palermo, I had a serious fight for the European title. We fought five rounds, and in a month I was supposed to have a K-1 World Max eight. There was an offer to speak between these fights and they told me to choose an opponent myself. As a real professional, between two such fights I will not choose a strong opponent for myself: then I simply will not be able to come up in good shape and I will be completely defeated. It is necessary to alternate, strong-passing. This is necessary in order not to stagnate and work out something new.

Does that explain your high pace of fights? You can enter the ring three times in a month.

Yes. Due to the correct schedule and the selection of opponents, it is possible to keep oneself in both psychological and physical shape.

Very good fighter: he has 120 fights in the professional ring, of which around 100 are victorious. He is a local star and I went there to win confidently: either by one wicket or by knockout. It was necessary to simply “tear”, because the houses are pulling their own.

That is, such a moment still exists?

Certainly. Even in Glory, if a challenger beats a champion by "just a little" then it doesn't count. The champion must be won confidently. Also with the fights at someone's party.

Why aren't you at Glory, by the way?

Interest Ask. In fact, Glory doesn't suit me right now for many reasons. If I sign a contract with them, I won't be able to fight anywhere else. And I'm young, I need to show myself everywhere and gain experience, popularity. At the age of 24-25 already, yes, it will be possible to safely go there. Even now I am 99% sure that I will win the local champion in the category up to 77 kg - Nicky Holzken. I challenged him, but they didn't answer. Ready to fight him at any moment. But for now, I'm in no rush.

So it's just a matter of time?

Yes. However, now there are organizations that are pulling up to Glory in terms of level and are even able to overtake. Kunlun Fight, for example. But, at the same time, at this stage Glory has top fighters.

“You can become a world champion in kickboxing without going into the ring”

Is it true that at Steel Fight, where you fought Palermo, you didn't get paid?

Yes, they threw all the fighters. As for the organization, there are no words at all ... They treated me even more or less normally, they settled normally, and the other boys were settled terribly. They slept on two-story bunks, fed not very much. And the organizer did not have permission to hold the tournament at all. But I knew what I was doing, the coach warned me.

I gave the organizer another 7 days to resolve this issue. If not, then other people who are doing this will already be talking.

Are such cases frequent?

There are. There was a case when I went to Greece, at the age of 17. I fought with a local star too, “the second Mike Zambidis”. I was brought in like a bag, and I knocked him out in the second round. The fight was for the championship belt according to a certain version, and they got angry and gave me some kind of left belt. Paid a fee 10 times less. Well, what are we going to do? There was no contract, just to fight ... A lot of places are underpaid.

What prevents kickboxing, with a fairly rich history and traditions, to come out of the shadows?

There are too many organizations in Kik. There is no one promotion that will unite everyone and make a cool tournament. There used to be K-1 and everyone knew him! Even more than the UFC. And now everyone wants to make money and organize leftist tournaments. In MMA, you can count the organizers on the fingers, and in kickboxing there are 50 such things. This is what gets in the way. Leave three promotions, pull top athletes there and that's it.

Now, alas, kickboxing has the only option to break into the tops of the news - when someone killed someone. Moreover, no one even knows these names, although each time they write “world, European, Russian champion” and so on ...

First, what we just talked about: a lot of organizations. And secondly, in kickboxing you can be the world champion in… Shadowboxing. More on dancing. There are masters of sports international class in these disciplines.

How is that? What's the point?

Beautifully and correctly show blows. Without an opponent. Music combinations. This is why entire competitions are held, it spoils the sport. And, yes, in the discharge book it will be written: MSMK in kickboxing, but what is in shadow boxing is not specified. Because of such people they say that every third world kick champion.

That is, it is not at all necessary that the World Kickboxing Championship has entered the ring at least once?

Exactly. There is also a "light contact" version. You can’t hit hard there, they almost hit with their palms. They hit hard - they start crying. The judges make sure that you do not invest in the blow, you personally saw it. They also become world champions...

“Friends asked many times to “harness” for them in a showdown”

How did you first get into the ring?

I was 9-10 years old, I moved to Ukraine from Georgia. At the same time I played football and Thai boxing, and I chose where to stay. Even better in football. But it so happened that since I did not have the citizenship of Ukraine, I could not break anywhere as a football player. And with a birth certificate of Georgia, he could at least compete in Thai boxing, including at the championships of Ukraine. That's why I chose him. I worked out for a week and a half, as the coach put me with a guy who had been training for six months. And somehow it went so well for me that I was immediately sent to the Cup of the country. There I became the second and so I began to study seriously. He fought a lot as an amateur: out of 250 fights, he lost about 10-15. And then, only because I was put with the elders, because in my peers there was often no one to fight with. At the age of 15-16, he turned professional and rushed.

How did it happen that after only a few days of training, you competed with someone who has been training for a decent amount of time? Hardening from the street?

Honestly, I don't know (smiles). Before Muay Thai, I was not strong on the street. I could stand up for myself, but nothing more. Just maybe I was smart and responsible? I did everything the coach said. It was for the first fight that I went out and fought aggressively: Caucasian blood, after all. And then I tried to do what the elders do and because of this, I quickly gained momentum.

How was your transition to the pro?

At the very beginning, it didn't work for me. Wasn't tough, didn't have a knockout punch. Amateur scoring style. But at the age of 16 there can be no such blow, but now, gradually, people are already starting to fall (smiles). At the age of 18, I felt that this atmosphere was mine and completely left the amateurs.

After the aggressive manner of fighting, however, over time, the nickname "Professor" appeared. Where?

It was given to me by a coach from Dnepropetrovsk. My mentor somehow left, and this coach seconded me instead. I did not make a single mistake and did everything he suggested. After I became the first, he said: "You are a real professor!" It all started from there. Plus, my name means "Scientist" in Azerbaijani. Everything came together!

Now do you regret that you chose martial arts and not football?

No. I have many football friends. Yes, they get more money than me, but I'm not far behind in terms of popularity. Finance is not more important. Plus, they often turn to me: now is the time when you need to be able to stand up for yourself. And I am respected and even feared. It pleases me.

Did it happen that friends asked you to harness yourself to some kind of showdown?

Many times. But I try not to get into this, because after that there are a lot of consequences. But sometimes it happens that there is nowhere to go. You close your eyes, and when you open, the person is already lying. Pick it up, shake it off and leave. But I never hit my head.

In many countries, hands professional boxers are considered melee weapons. Right?

And how do you feel about this?

Okay, that's right. Self-promotion. If I organized tournaments, I would fight there myself to attract people.

By the way, would you like a rematch with Askerov?

After that fight, we already trained with him, sparred. I think this is no longer relevant and uninteresting for both.

Jabar is one of those kickers who try their hand at mixed martial arts and boxing. Are you waiting in these directions?

There are many offers to perform in professional boxing. Now I'm getting better at working with my hands, so I would like to try myself there. And in MMA, I think, later. If everything in kickboxing continues as it is now, then in a couple of years it will be possible to safely move on. And then I won almost everything, but to no avail. The fees are small, the popularity of sports - too. And you need to move on.

And where would you like more?

Probably in mixed martial arts- in the UFC. This is a purely male sport. It's all there, do what you want. Plus, this is a well-known organization, all young people know what it is and talk about it. There are even computer games. I communicate well with Khabib Nurmagomedov, he likes to play for himself (smiles). It's cool: you turn on your computer or set-top box, and there you are. Level! And as long as kickboxing exists, they not only cannot make a game, but at least they do not create a rating of the strongest fighters!

Is fighting a show or a sport?

Show. If you don't put on a show, you're not needed in martial arts. If you are strong but boring, you will not be called.

Some athletes do not accept this at all ...

So, they will fight for a penny somewhere in the yards. I understand this and try to develop not only in battles. You need to at least learn languages ​​in order to climb high level. You must be interesting as a person. Just a lot of fighters.

Are you satisfied with the rules of the game?

Absolutely. There's a lot to do, so I'll get started.

"Professor" spoke about himself, the choice between football and Thai boxing and Nurmagomedov

On November 19, Alim Nabiev won another world title in kickboxing by defeating Yoan Lidon. But if “Professors” in the world of martial arts are known to almost everyone, then many so-called champions are not. Alim revealed the secret of why this happens and what you can get MSMK for in this sport, and also told a lot of interesting things: about the desire to compete in the UFC, about Khabib Nurmagomedov playing for himself in a computer game and other things.

"Opponents must be alternated: strong - passing"

- Lately you have already had a lot of fights. Let's start with the fight in Russia against Francesco Palermo.

- The first round was hard, I woke up for a long time. Missed a couple of hits: I underestimated him a little. But during the break, we discussed all the weaknesses with the coach, I slightly relaxed Palermo, then pressed him to the corner, a series of hands - and a knockout.

- When you realized that he was stronger than expected - did not you frighten?

“I knew I would win anyway. From experience I saw that he was below my level. The only thing, I was afraid of crazy blows - there is always such a moment.

- The audience especially remembered your "chips" in the style of Muhammad Ali.

- I have a nickname - "Professor", I like to play in front of the audience: give up, mock an opponent. But above all, I distract the opponent in such a way, I relax him. Many do not know this, so I now revealed the secret to make it easier for the opponents (smiles). They begin to think that I am playing with them, but in fact I have already psychologically killed them and it remains only to finish them off.

- There is a certain risk that this could end badly ...

If you are confident in yourself, you do it. If you're not sure, then don't.

- Do you always try to please the fans with this style during the fight?

- To be honest, sometimes it’s not up to the audience. But when I understand that I am fighting and I win 100%, with one goal, then yes, I do what I want. But when the opponent is strong and gives a fight, then the audience is no longer up to it. We must fight and move forward.

- How does it happen at your high level that one opponent is weaker and the other is stronger? After all, you have to grow every time.

- Before Palermo, I had a serious fight for the European title. We fought five rounds, and in a month I was supposed to have a K-1 World Max eight. There was an offer to speak between these fights and they told me to choose an opponent myself. As a real professional, between two such fights I will not choose a strong opponent for myself: then I simply will not be able to come up in good shape and I will be completely defeated. It is necessary to alternate, strong-passing. This is necessary in order not to stagnate and work out something new.

– This explains your high pace of fighting? You can enter the ring three times in a month.

- Yes. Due to the correct schedule and the selection of opponents, it is possible to keep oneself in both psychological and physical shape.

- On November 19, you fought for the WMC world title with the Frenchman Yoan Lydon.

- A very good fighter: he has 120 fights in the professional ring, of which there are around 100 victories. He is a local star and I went there to win confidently: either by one wicket or by knockout. It was necessary to simply “tear”, because the houses are pulling their own.

So, does such a moment exist?

- Certainly. Even in Glory, if a challenger beats a champion by "just a little" then it doesn't count. The champion must be won confidently. Also with the fights at someone's party.

“By the way, why aren’t you at Glory?”

- Interest Ask. In fact, Glory doesn't suit me right now for many reasons. If I sign a contract with them, I won't be able to fight anywhere else. And I'm young, I need to show myself everywhere and gain experience, popularity. At the age of 24-25 already, yes, it will be possible to safely go there. Even now I am 99% sure that I will win the local champion in the category up to 77 kg - Nicky Holzken. I challenged him, but they didn't answer. Ready to fight him at any moment. But for now, I'm in no rush.

So it's just a matter of time?

- Yes. However, now there are organizations that are pulling up to Glory in terms of level and are even able to overtake. Kunlun Fight, for example. But, at the same time, at this stage Glory has top fighters.

“You can become a world champion in kickboxing without going into the ring”

- Is it true that at Steel Fight, where you fought Palermo, you were not paid a fee?

- Yes, they threw all the fighters. As for the organization, there are no words at all ... They treated me even more or less normally, they settled normally, and the other boys were settled terribly. They slept on two-story bunks, fed not very much. And the organizer did not have permission to hold the tournament at all. But I knew what I was doing, the coach warned me.

– I gave the organizer another 7 days to resolve this issue. If not, then other people who are doing this will already be talking.

– Are such cases frequent?

- There are. There was a case when I went to Greece, at the age of 17. I fought with a local star too, “the second Mike Zambidis”. I was brought in like a bag, and I knocked him out in the second round. The fight was for the championship belt according to a certain version, and they got angry and gave me some kind of left belt. Paid a fee 10 times less. Well, what are we going to do? There was no contract, just to fight ... Many places are underpaid.

- What prevents kickboxing, with a fairly rich history and traditions, to come out of the shadows?

– There are too many organizations in Kik. There is no one promotion that will unite everyone and make a cool tournament. There used to be K-1 and everyone knew him! Even more than the UFC. And now everyone wants to make money and organize leftist tournaments. In MMA, you can count the organizers on the fingers, and in kickboxing there are 50 such things. This is what gets in the way. Leave three promotions, pull top athletes there and that's it.

- Now, alas, kickboxing has the only option to break into the tops of the news - when someone killed someone. Moreover, no one even knows these names, although each time they write “champion of the world, Europe, Russia” and so on ...

- First of all, what we just talked about: a lot of organizations. And secondly, in kickboxing you can be the world champion in... Shadowboxing. More on dancing. There are masters of sports of international class in these disciplines.

- How is that? What's the point?

- Beautifully and correctly show the blows. Without an opponent. Music combinations. This is why entire competitions are held, it spoils the sport. And, yes, in the discharge book it will be written: MSMK in kickboxing, but what is in shadow boxing is not specified. Because of such people they say that every third world kick champion.

- That is, it is not at all necessary that the World Kickboxing Championship has entered the ring at least once?

- Exactly. There is also a "light contact" version. You can’t hit hard there, they almost hit with their palms. They hit hard - they start crying. The judges make sure that you do not invest in the blow, you personally saw it. They also become world champions...

“Friends asked many times to “harness” for them in a showdown”

How did you first get into the ring?

– I was 9-10 years old, I moved to Ukraine from Georgia. At the same time I played football and Thai boxing, and I chose where to stay. Even better in football. But it so happened that since I did not have the citizenship of Ukraine, I could not break anywhere as a football player. And with a birth certificate of Georgia, he could at least compete in Thai boxing, including at the championships of Ukraine. That's why I chose him. I worked out for a week and a half, as the coach put me with a guy who had been training for six months. And somehow it went so well for me that I was immediately sent to the Cup of the country. There I became the second and so I began to study seriously. He fought a lot as an amateur: out of 250 fights, he lost about 10-15. And then, only because I was put with the elders, because in my peers there was often no one to fight with. At the age of 15-16, he turned professional and rushed.

– How did it happen that after studying for only a few days, you competed with someone who has been studying for a decent amount of time? Hardening from the street?

- Honestly I do not know (smiles). Before Muay Thai, I was not strong on the street. I could stand up for myself, but nothing more. Just maybe I was smart and responsible? I did everything the coach said. It was for the first fight that I went out and fought aggressively: Caucasian blood, after all. And then I tried to do what the elders do and because of this, I quickly gained momentum.

How was your transition to the pro?

- At the very beginning, I didn’t go. Wasn't tough, didn't have a knockout punch. Amateur scoring style. But at the age of 16 there can be no such blow, but now, gradually, people are already starting to fall (smiles). At the age of 18, I felt that this atmosphere was mine and completely left the amateurs.

- After the aggressive manner of fighting, however, over time, the nickname "Professor" appeared. Where?

- It was given to me by one coach from Dnepropetrovsk. My mentor somehow left, and this coach seconded me instead. I did not make a single mistake and did everything he suggested. After I became the first, he said: "You are a real professor!" It all started from there. Plus, my name means "Scientist" in Azerbaijani. Everything came together!

- Now do you regret that you chose martial arts, and not football?

- No. I have many football friends. Yes, they get more money than me, but I'm not far behind in terms of popularity. Finance is not more important. Plus, they often turn to me: now is the time when you need to be able to stand up for yourself. And I am respected and even feared. It pleases me.

- Did it happen that friends asked you to harness yourself to some kind of showdown?

- Many times. But I try not to get into this, because after that there are a lot of consequences. But sometimes it happens that there is nowhere to go. You close your eyes, and when you open, the person is already lying. Pick it up, shake it off and leave. But I never hit my head.

- In many countries, the hands of professional boxers are considered edged weapons. Right?

- I think yes. One blow even from a spark gap can be the last for the unprepared. Very dangerous.

“If you don’t show the show, you are not needed in martial arts”

- The Vityaz Fight club was recently founded, and you joined it.

Yes, we signed a contract. Eduard Filbeger understands sports very well and develops it, he offered me good conditions. Now they have plans to open 20-25 halls: in Russia, Europe, maybe even in Thailand. It's great to have your own club. Like a second home.

- It is also planned to hold our own tournaments. Would you like to perform at this?

- Certainly! You have to participate in this.

- They can curse, saying that they gave you a bag, because you are an athlete of this organization ...

- A simple example: on November 13, the Russia Challenge tournament was held, where Dzhabar Askerov fought. He is the organizer of the competition, and he fights there himself.

- And how do you feel about this?

- It's okay, that's right. Self-promotion. If I organized tournaments, I would fight there myself to attract people.

- By the way, would you like a rematch with Askerov?

- After that fight, we already trained with him, sparred. I think this is no longer relevant and uninteresting for both.

- Jabar is one of those kickers who try their hand at mixed martial arts and boxing. Are you waiting in these directions?

- There are many offers to compete in professional boxing. Now I'm getting better at working with my hands, so I would like to try myself there. And in MMA, I think, later. If everything in kickboxing continues as it is now, then in a couple of years it will be possible to safely move on. And then I won almost everything, but to no avail. The fees are small, the popularity of sports - too. And you need to move on.

- And where would you like more?

- Probably in mixed martial arts - in the UFC. This is a purely male sport. It's all there, do what you want. Plus, this is a well-known organization, all young people know what it is and talk about it. There are even computer games. I communicate well with Khabib Nurmagomedov, he likes to play for himself (smiles). It's cool: you turn on your computer or set-top box, and there you are. Level! And as long as kickboxing exists, they not only cannot make a game, but at least they do not create a rating of the strongest fighters!

- Is fighting a show or a sport?

- Show. If you don't put on a show, you're not needed in martial arts. If you are strong but boring, you will not be called.

- Some athletes do not accept this at all ...

- So, they will fight for a penny somewhere in the yards. I understand this and try to develop not only in battles. You need to at least learn languages ​​in order to rise to a high level. You must be interesting as a person. Just a lot of fighters.

Do you like the rules of the game?

– Absolutely. There's a lot to do, so I'll get started.