After meeting Floyd Mayweather in Prague, Czech Republic, Makhmud Muradov became the first MMA fighter to sign with The Money Team. But there was one piece of advice the legendary boxer gave that the Tajikistan-born brawler refused to take.
In his stellar career, the 34-year-old has proven himself as a formidable competitor inside the cage.
Makhmud Muradov refused to move to the USA, despite Floyd Mayweather asking him to
At Oktagon MMA 61, inside the Winning Group Arena in Brno, Czech Republic, Makhmud Muradov made his return to Europe’s fastest-growing promotion, dominating former KSW champion, Scott Askham, over the course of three hard-fought rounds.
Prior to his reunion with the organization that made him a star, the esteemed competitor was showcasing his skills in the UFC, where he compiled an impressive 4-2 (1) record.
Muradov started his life in Tajikistan, but due to the civil war that took over his country, he had to flee to Uzbekistan, where he discovered combat sports.
The natural-born fighter excelled in kickboxing and sambo, ultimately earning a job as a security guard in the harsh environment of Siberia, Russia, where the temperature can drop to -30 C.
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Braving the cold, Muradov would often run 15km back home, knowing that something big was just around the corner.
He continued to improve his sambo game before ultimately moving to the Czech Republic, without knowing a word of the language, to forge a career path in MMA.
After several years as a professional, he met Floyd Mayweather, who was visiting Prague as part of a European tour. The pair hit it off, forming a solid friendship, with ‘Money’ eventually signing the grappler to his management company.
And while that partnership is not ongoing today, the two sportsmen have maintained their relationship.
In an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow, Muradov explained: “I met him in Prague, and we were talking. He went to Moscow and said ‘Follow me to Moscow’. I followed him. Now, I have a good connection. He supports me. On fight day, he sends me a message asking how I’m feeling.”
The middleweight eventually made it to the UFC, where he defeated the likes of Andrew Sanchez and Bryan Barberena. However, despite their bond, Mayweather could never convince him to move Stateside, despite advising him to do so.
Muradov laughed: “He told me every time to go to the USA and leave here, but I like it here in the Czech Republic.”
Makhmud Muradov explains why he was released from the UFC
Sticking to his guns, Muradov proved he could compete in the world’s premier promotion without utilizing gyms in America.
But despite compiling a winning record, in May, Muradov was released from the UFC.
He has explained what happened from his point of view and how he ended up back in Oktagon.
The athlete claimed: “UFC is UFC, I have an injury or something, I told him [UFC], ‘I have injury, I don’t fight. Give me one month, after, I’m fighting’. He [UFC] told me, ‘No, when you not fight, your contract is canceled’.
“I told them, ‘Ok’. For me, it’s work. And Ondřej [Novotný] (Oktagon promoter) called me to go for dinner and talk. Another organization called me and [offered to] give me better money, but I go to Oktagon because it is my home. I started here before the UFC. I’m very happy I’m here’.”
At the start of his career, Muradov dreamed of making just $1000, now he’s become a superstar across the European scene, with his presence in the continent endearing fans from the region.
When the announcement was made in front of 27,000 fans inside Eden Stadium in Prague that he’d rejoined Oktagon, the noise was deafening. And the cheers were even louder when the MMA star walked to the cage over the weekend for his return fight.
He’s now fully focused on the middleweight title match-up in front of 57,000 spectators at the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany, at Oktagon 62, between his training partner, Karlos Vemola’s biggest rival, Patrik Kincl, and rising Turkish-German star, Kerim Engizek.
But regardless of who emerges victorious, Muradov will be ready for his shot at gold.
He beamed: “If Kincl wins, I’m fighting with Kincl. If Engizek wins, I’m fighting with Engizek. No problem.”
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