‘We have to combat, we have to preserve going’: Zubaira Tukhugov says reminiscence of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov will encourage him at UFC 253

Zubaira Tukhugov admitted that he must be taught extra English to specific himself higher to the media, however the Russian featherweight stated sufficient to let individuals know that he is decided to go away UFC Combat Island with a win.

Tukhugov will tackle Canadian striker “Imply” Hakeem Dawodu in a featherweight matchup at UFC 253 on Saturday night time in Abu Dhabi, and the Chechen-born fighter stated victory over his opponent needs to be adequate to land him a spot within the UFC’s 145-pound rankings.

“After this combat, I am High 15, I believe, as a result of he is opponent with 4 (UFC) wins. I believe we’ll present them combat.”

Tukhugov stated he has studied Dawodu’s combating model and stated that he is prepared for a robust, well-rounded opponent. He additionally defined that he will not speak about his deliberate callout till after his combat.

“I watched his final combat. He is fighter, he has good boxing, good blocking, wrestling. , robust man,” he stated.

“I would like this win. After the combat I am going to speak about which guys I need in my subsequent combat.”

The combat marks the primary time Tukhugov has competed because the dying of his coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and the 29-year-old admitted that he’ll be combating with a heavy coronary heart realizing his mentor is just not in his nook.

“That is totally different. Abdulmanap was shut with me. He helped me and I felt higher. He is no longer right here, and it’s extremely unhappy,” he stated.

“We have to combat. We have to preserve going. That is what Abdulmanap would need.”

And if Tukhugov wanted any extra motivation for the combat, he was given some by Dawodu, who highlighted his earlier win over Tukhugov’s teammate Marat Magomedov again within the now-defunct World Collection Of Preventing promotion. In truth, that pair fought twice, with the primary combat ending a draw and Dawodu taking the victory within the rematch.

“Marat is an effective fighter,” stated Tukhugov.

“The primary combat, I believed he received. The second combat, he misplaced.”

And when requested if he’ll be out to actual revenge over the Canadian on behalf of his teammate, Tukhugov laughed.

“Sure!” he stated. “I like this. Marat is my good friend.”

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