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The famous Russian master of mixed martial arts answered questions from journalists after his first training since the cancellation of the battle against American Tony Ferguson.
Since then, a Russian fighter who did not suffer a single defeat in his career (24 fights), did not go to the training hall. For the first time this happened on April 1 - at the opening of the Eagles MMA club in Moscow, whose president is Nurmagomedov in combination. After training Habib answered questions on a variety of topics.
- Now the whole world is discussing the upcoming duel between two superstars - boxer Floyd Mayweather and fighter Conor McGregor. If this fight does not come off, what result do you expect?
- As a fan, this fight is very interesting for me. I perfectly understand why it is being held. It is guaranteed to bring huge money to the organizers. Such an agiotage world of martial arts did not yet know. But in truth, for MMA this is a very dangerous fight. We have bypassed boxing in terms of popularity, ratings. And if the most hyped fighter of UFC, such as McGregor, is defeated by a 40-year-old boxer, it will be a blow to the reputation of mixed martial arts. But - the money, apparently, outweigh any risks.
- In the UFC, McGregor, who was so eager to run away from you last year, is ready to seem to again meet with Nate Diaz. Before that, they exchanged victories ...
- Such a fight is also very profitable business. UFC recently in general primarily thinks about income, not about the sports component. But Diaz still has to win something first to get to McGregor. I personally would gladly look at their third fight.
- Do you have a priority in yourself - the fight with Ferguson, which, as your father stated earlier, should take place in September?
- This is the battle of my dreams. You know, as a child, we dream about something. I know how many fans were upset, even angry when our fight with Ferguson, for the third time, broke. So number one for me now is definitely Ferguson. And before September I will not be ready to fight him. And how it will come out, we'll see. Time will put everyone in their places.
- Who is still more to blame for what happened in early March, when you could not "make" the weight? Are you yourself or your team?
- Of course, only I'm guilty. In general, I vaguely remember what happened then. Health has slightly brought me down. Although it was my best shot. I trained for three months, I did not get out of the hall. I've never had so many five-round sparring before. Maybe, of course, a little overloaded. Everything is possible. But you never know how your body will react to things. By weight, the diet was all done according to the old scheme, reliable.
- Ferguson wished you a successful match just before the weigh-in. And then he claimed that he already saw that everything was not right with you.
- Maybe there was something noticeable. But I doubt that you can look at a person like this and find out if he is overweight or not. Yes, it was the last media day. Frankly, there are already some signs that everything is not all right. But this is an inner feeling.
- After the cancellation of the fight, Ferguson first wished you health, and after a few days began to release insulting remarks. How do you feel about him?
- Well, how can I treat a person I really want to beat? (Smiling.) And I, again, still really want this fight. I know that the UFC is ready to organize a fight of Ferguson in the summer - against Diaz or Barbosa. If such a fight takes place, I will worry about Tony, so that he does not lose, and our fight because of this did not fail.
- Now in the world sport a large-scale anti-Russian campaign has been launched. In MMA is there?
- Personally, I did not notice. We do not have any policy. Each fighter "makes" weight, enters the "cage" - and beats. What kind of politics is there ...?
- And how do you perceive the criticism of UFC president Dana White - they say, the fight with Ferguson broke because of the lack of professionalism of your team, which did not contact the league in time?
- I do not remember those events well. But my managers say that it was night, two a.m., no one approached the phones in the UFC. And White ... He has to criticize us. A big, money battle broke off - do not expect his praise for us! So criticism is normal. I've already had a lot in my career. And criticism always made me stronger.
- The current rehabilitation will take away all the consequences of the February weightlifter?
- Some problems remain, but I would not like to go into details. Psychologically, I'm not fine, I'll tell you frankly. I'm 6 years old in the hall. But the last three years have not been such that I came to the training and nothing hurts at all. This is perceived by me as a reality.
- Nevertheless, your sparring partners claim that before the fight with Ferguson you scored the best form in your career.
- Maybe they are praising us? (Smiling.) However, I really was in very good shape. Would have sustained all five rounds, if needed. Well now what to say.