Magomed Sultanakhmedov talks M-1 Middleweight title fight

Coming up at the end of this week, M-1 makes their return to America with the first ever M-1 Challenge event on American soil. Headlined by a lightweight title fight between Artiom Damkovsky against Jose Figeuroa, the vacant M-1 middleweight title will also be up for grabs as Team Quest’s Tyson Jeffries will meet Magomed Sultanakhmedov to crown the new champion. Magomed defeated Plinio Cruz at the last M-1 Challenge a few weeks ago and won fight of the night honors with his opponent, and now gets his first chance at gold in the US. I spoke with Magomed to learn a little more about this European fighter and see how he is preparing for this fight, and learn about the differences in our fight culture between America and Russia.

TFN: You are getting ready to fight Tyson Jeffries for the vacant M-1 Global middleweight title, what are you doing to get ready for this fight?

TFN: Cardio is a key component right now as this will be a five round fight. I run a lot and I’m training two times a day for 2 hours.

TFN: Have you had a chance to look at any videos of Jeffries? What is his strongest and weakest ability?

MS: I think that he will try to put me on the ground since that’s where I feel he is stronger. Although he is a good striker, I believe I hold the advantage her so his ‘stand up’ game is his weakness.

TFN: Your last fight with Plinio Cruz at M-1 Challenge 23 is basically three weeks apart from your title fight. Is that enough time to get ready for a five-round fight?

MS: I was able to come away uninjured and was well-prepared physically going in to that fight so this is a continuation of my training. I have enough time.

TFN: What did you think of your performance against Plinio?

MS: I did exactly what my team and I had planned. I executed a tactically sound fight and that’s why I won.

TFN: Before this fight with Cruz, you lost to Rafal Moks for the title he just vacated to go to welterweight. How do you feel about Moks move to this weight class and do you want to fight him again?

MS: The reason Moks won is because he knew that my ankle was injured and I was stupid for saying anything about the injury before the fight – news travels. Obviously he knew I couldn’t heal it 100% in one month, which is why he went for it immediately. I had to tap or risk injuring it further and being sidelined for a longer period of time. Yes, I would fight him again.

TFN: This is your first time fighting in America, are you worried about jet lag or adjusting to the time change?

MS: I am actually really worried about this and am doing everything I can to acclimatize myself prior to arriving in the United States.

TFN: Is being a fighter your main job or do you do something else to make a living?

MS: Yes I have a day job. (Editor’s note: We never found out what. He just said he has a job and left it at that.)

TFN: What is the biggest difference between MMA in Europe and MMA in the US?

MS: I think in America they have a greater education on the science behind the fighting, for example weight cutting and re-hydration / recovery, which we don’t have in Europe and Russia.

TFN: Many American MMA fans are unfamiliar with you, how would you describe yourself to them and what would you like to say to your new American viewers?

MS: I’m a really quiet, shy guy so I hope that American fans consider this a good quality! I’m an exciting fighter and looking forward to putting on another ‘fight of the night’.

M-1 Challenge 24 will be live from Norfolk, Virginia on March 25 on Showtime. This is the first M-1 Global show of 2011 in the US, and their first trip to Virginia as well.