The Uzbek athlete and MMA legend Mahmud Muradov became an honorary guest of the Asian SAMBO Championships.
Тhe champion spoke with the FIAS website on the challenges he had to face on his journey to the global recognition, on his plans to construct free gyms for children and his attitude to Fedor Emelianenko.
– Is Combat SAMBO your chief discipline?
– Not exactly. I am a striker, and kickboxing was my first branch of martial arts. And I came to SAMBO after I moved to Russia. My father had an accident, and at the age of 17-18 my brother and I had to leave for Tomsk to work. There I started to take part in SAMBO competitions.
– Why did you later opt for mixed martial arts?
– I am often asked this question, and I answer that they were martial arts that chose me instead. The God Almighty gives everyone some kind of craft. If you obey Him, then you succeed. Sure, many complain they fail to find their purpose in life. I used to feel the same as well. I am from a small town, from a small gym that was lacking even hot water, and its roof was leaking. In Tomsk, I started training, trying not to miss sessions, and washed my clothes right in the gym, as I was living at the base and couldn’t afford renting an apartment. To earn some money, I worked at a construction site. Then I was noticed and invited to work at a security agency. Thanks to my instructor, I managed to pass exams for Candidate Master of Sports, and get proper documents. Only then I was able to move around the city without extra worries.
– Initially, you did not have either Russian or Uzbek citizenship?
– No, I didn’t. But then the president changed in my country, and they began to issue citizenship to those people who have been living in Uzbekistan for a certain time period. Previously it was impossible. My parents got passports, and so did I. This made my life much easier, since after that I was able to fly around the world, move freely around the CIS. And back then visas were required everywhere. Now I still have a residence permit for the Czech Republic where my wife and daughter dwell.
– Was it hard to realize that some people are more sympathetic towards you only once you had already achieved something?
– I take it calmly, I just don’t care. I know my pathway and the people who were with me from the very start, who supported me and believed in me even when I was defeated and did something in a wrong way. And those who previously condemned me now come and want to be near. They think I’m stupid and don’t understand a thing. But life has taught me a lot, especially that it is necessary to surround yourself with the right people. The God Almighty gives you something bad to test you, to give something ten times better next time. And He also looks at how you use it. For instance, first you get sick, and then you get stronger. And He looks what you will spend this power for. If you do everything right, you’ll be rewarded. So, I try to help those in need.
Now I have a large team of 30, and I pay our training camps in full — both accommodation and meals. We have very good guys, not only from the capital, but also from all over Uzbekistan. They all wish to achieve something, but not everyone has such an option. I admit that some high-ranking people help me. I support my partners, and they, in turn, will help the younger ones someday. I’m used to sharing with others. My friends say this is my weakness.
Read the whole interview HERE.
