Getting to Know - Raimond Magomedaliev

GROWING UP

Raimond Magomedaliev was born in Makhachkala, the capital of the Russian republic of Dagestan. As is the same for most youths from his region, he started freestyle wrestling from a young age. Raimond later ventured into other disciplines including combat sambo.

MILITARY

While serving in the Russian military, Raimond competed extensively in several Martial Art disciplines. He won multiple prestigious titles including World Championships in combat sambo, kung fu sandal, and hand-to-hand combat. However, it wasn’t until he first saw mixed martial arts on television that he decided he wanted to pursue martial arts as a career.

VENTURING INTO MMA

Raimond made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2015. In addition, Most of his bouts to date have ended by way of stoppage. Including a stunning 17-second finish. The finished was one of a kind, he knocked out a veteran opponent who was far more experienced while standing on one leg after his opponent caught a kick. He currently has a pro-MMA record of 6-1. In addition, he comes off the back of a sublime standing guillotine win over Joey Pierotti. No doubt, the future is looking bright for the Dagestan superstar.

INTERVIEW

I was recently fortunate to have the opportunity to ask Raimond Magomedaliev some questions about his life and career. This is an opportunity I was truly grateful for. I hope you all enjoy Getting to Know Raimond Magomedaliev.

Good day Raimond. Over the last couple of years, Dagestan has grown in popularity due to its wrestling in MMA. What was it like growing up there?

Raimond – “Good day, Dagestan has always been famous for its wrestlers. We have a lot of Olympic and World Champions, wrestling is in the blood of Dagestanis. In addition to wrestling, we have good Thai Boxing, Boxing, judo, MMA. Everyone loves sports here.”

You won the world championship for combat sambo, kung fu sandal and hand to hand combat during your time in the military. Can you tell us about that experience?

Raimond -” When I went to college, I had only the base is wrestling, and it so happened that I was offered to try yourself in melee, I liked it and I began to speak in this discipline, a couple of years I started competing in parallel in other disciplines, such as combat Sambo, kung fu, Wushu Sanda, after I won the World Championships in these sports, I went MMA .”

You’re currently training at Eagles MMA. It is famous for most MMA fans because of Khabib Nurmagomedov. What is it like training in that facility and in particular with Khabib himself?

Raimond -” Three years ago, the eagles MMA fight club was created, where some of the best fighters of Dagestan and Russia were gathered, which was headed by Khabib, but a year later, the club ceased to exist .”

You have said in the past your aim is to win championships in 2 weight classes. Who is the first name on your list and when can we hope to see this by?.

Raimond -” Yes, I still want to be a champion in two division, I would like a rematch with Nakashima. In the last fight with him, I was in terrible shape, but the main goal remains the belt in my division, and then I can go down a weight lower .”

In your 6 wins so far only 1 has gone to decision. What are your thoughts going into a fight is it an expectation of yours that you will finish your opponent early?

Raimond -” I like spectacular fights, because of this I always try to show a beautiful fight, my main task is to finish the opponent as soon as possible .”

The most recent fight you won by a standing guillotine against Joey Pierotti. IT had many people talking about your finish. How did that finish come to happen?

Raimond -” To be honest, I did not even think about this technique, although I practiced it in training, and during sparring I got it, I just got a moment during the fight and I used it .”

What would you like to achieve in MMA?

Raimond – “In MMA I want to compete with the best , I will repeat my goal is the belt , and then We’ll see , I hope this situation with the virus will soon be resolved and the world will be the same.”

If the fight was to ever go ahead between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson who wins and how?

Raimond – “Tony is a very strong, unorthodox and unpredictable athlete. But I think Khabib wins by G&P in later rounds .”