Idman.biz
The recent performances of Azerbaijani MMA fighters have created mixed impressions among fans. Idman.Biz spoke with Azad Asgarov, President of the Azerbaijan MMA and Grappling Federation, about the reasons for instability, the importance of marketing, and the prospects of our athletes.
- How would you comment on the hype surrounding Muhammadali Nurushov's victory over Shahzod Uzokov at the "Octagon 84" tournament?
- The good advertising of Muhammadali's "face to face" video helped him. MMA is primarily a show, not just a sport. A person who knows how to create a show or unintentionally becomes a part of it immediately gains popularity. The mixed martial arts industry is entirely built on this.
- So, is it possible to become more popular than your opponents without being stronger than them?
- Absolutely correct. Unregulated fights are primarily a show. Whoever can create a show comes to the fore. But this does not mean that a showman is a weak fighter. No matter how enterprising you are, the show will not be long-lived without a sports base. This is the case not only in our sport, but in others as well. First, an athlete works for a name, then the name works for him. A prime example is Mike Tyson. He won all the titles by the age of 25, and in the following decades he remained in demand by going back and forth. His name still makes money today, even though he is almost 60 years old. We saw this when he returned to the ring last year.
- So why do Azerbaijani fighters rarely create such a show? After all, there is no problem in terms of strength.
- Sometimes mentality gets in the way, and sometimes the lack of ability to promote oneself. But the main problem is the lack of professional managers. In MMA, a manager is a key figure, sometimes even more important than a coach. He selects opponents, negotiates and "sells" the fighter with maximum benefit.
- Is the highest stage of this "sale" getting into the UFC?
- Yes, it is the pinnacle of the system for today. Every fighter's dream is to get there, both to make a name and to earn serious money.
- In that case, why can't our fighters gain a foothold there yet? Tofiq Musayev lost in his debut, Nazim Sadygov and Rafael Fiziev were recently defeated. What is preventing it: age, mentality?
- Neither one nor the other. Firstly, it is impossible to always win. Secondly, this is not the Olympics, where licenses and the selection system are known in advance. Here, everything depends on the manager's connections and the athlete's ability to present himself. We saw how foreign stars caused a stir when they came to Baku - they know how to create a show. I emphasize once again: MMA, especially at the UFC level, is not just a sport, but also a big business.
Age is also not a problem: in MMA, many fighters reach their peak form after the age of 30. There is also the waiting factor. In classical sports, you know the date of the competition and adapt to the peak of form at that time. In MMA, however, fights are often postponed. Tofiq Musayev has been waiting for a fight for more than six months, and now the meeting is scheduled for April. In this mode, a person can easily "burn out" or lose physical condition.
- Apart from the famous trio, do we already have fighters who can perform in the UFC today?
- Of course. The fighting school in Azerbaijan is traditionally strong - this was the case even when I performed myself. Look, I am 55 years old now, but I still train and keep in shape. Currently, we have at least four fighters who can successfully perform in the UFC - Muhammadali Osmanli, Asef Chopurov, Farid Babazada and Rasul Rahimov. They just need a competent manager to get into the elite.
- Can Rafael Fiziev not break after a series of bitter defeats?
- Never. Rafael has a great supply of energy (laughs). He is a true fighter who never gives up. I am sure that he will still have his say and will return to the top ten again. We all need to tune in to the positive and support the children. Nazim and Rafael lost, but Tofiq will win!
