The Russian Invasion: Arbi ‘Monster’ Agujev
Arbi Agujev: “Chechen Republic natives had to get through war … Chechen fighters always take things on the chin – that’s their main specialty.”
Mixed martial arts is at the beginning of The Russian Invasion. The UG’s man on the ground in Chechenya, Boris Dealon, brings you inside intelligence, this time on Austria-based Chechen welterweight Arbi Agujev, who recently signed with Berkut Fight Club, home to Mairbek Taisumov, Zubaira Tukhugov, Beslan Isaev and many others.
Boris Dealon: Let’s begin from the beginning. In childhood we dreamed about being presidents, police officers, and etc., but not all of us can make our dreams come true. What did you dream about as a kid?
Arbi Agujev: Since childhood I dreamed about devoting my life to sport. Nowadays I’m trying to make my dreams come true and I think I’m doing great.
BD: Where are you training at the moment?
AA: Now I’m in Vienna; here is the last phase of my training camp.
BD: It’s well-known you’ve been training with Mairbek Taisumov and Roger Huerta. How did they effect you?
AA: Everybody knows that Rodger Huerta is former UFC fighter and Mairbek Taisumov is current UFC fighter. Both of them are like brothers to me and I have fun with these guys in training. I get priceless experience and motivation when I train with them. I’m sure it will helps me in future.
BD: Recently there was information about your signing into Berkut. Tell us about that.
AA: After my first ACB event, I came back to my homeland where I received an offer from Berkut. Here everybody treats you with great respect and for that reason I’ve become Berkut fighter.
BD: What are your expectations of competing for new fight club?
AA: To me it’s a great honor to compete under banner of this club. I’ve wanted this for a long time and I’m very glad that my wish come true.
BD: An idea to collect all of Chechen fighters in one club has been going for a long time. Do you think this idea will came to reality?
AA: I think this idea is one step closer to be real. I’m sure it will come to reality soon.
BD: What are the differences between Chechen fighters and others?
AA: Chechen Republic natives had to get through war. We just received an opportunity to compete not only in mixed martial arts but other type of sports. Chechen fighters always take things on the chin – that’s their main specialty.
BD: The promotion ACB and FC Berkut founder Mairbek Khasiev said that ACB will break UFC in near future. Are all of the statements true?
AA: If ACB will continue to evolve as fast as now they have all chances for that. I think time will tell.
BD: Berkut founder Mairbek Khasiev recently said that he will do everything to sign you into UFC. What about your situation with signing right now?
AA: Mairbek Khasiev does a lot for that. Rodger Huerta and Mairbek Taisumov are trying to sign me into UFC as well. However I don’ have a big name yet so it’s not easy thing to do.
BD: You are well-known for your nickname – Monster. Tell us how did you get a nickname like this?
AA: I had to fight against guy who weighed was 286 lbs. I won this fight and after that my first coach gave me this nickname. Since then it stuck after me, although I don’t like it actually.
BD: It’s hard to miss that all of your wins are finishes. How can you successfully finish your opponents? How do you train your killer instinct?
AA: That’s a good question. I come to fight with a thought of spending all rounds, but by the will of God, I can win my opponents in a short way.
BD: Most of fighters after signing into UFC change their weight classes. Are you planning to change your weight class or do you want to fight further at welterweight.
AA: If I will have a chance to compete in UFC, then it’s going to be in welterweight. I don’t think I have to change something in this way.
BD: Unfortunately mixed martial arts can’t be called payable type of sports nowadays. Is it hard to earn enough money being mixed martial artist in Eastern Europe?
AA: Earlier I had big problems with that, but now I am sponsored by «Berkut» and there are no more concerns about that.
BD: For your opinion which qualities fighter must have to be on top in MMA?
AA: I think there is no certain secret of success. Everyone has their own way to success. The most important is hard work and discipline. Without these qualities even the most talented fighter never achieves something.
About the author:
Boris Dealon is the founder of the popular Russian language Internet MMA portal MMAboxing.ru, a journalist, tournament organizer, and plans soon to extend his talents into fighter management.