Makhov warns heavyweights: First Olympic Gold then UFC title

[Wild]

On April 25, 2015, the Ultimate Fighting Championship announced the signing of a 6'5" 290-pound Russian wrestling icon, Bilyal Makhov. The promotion brought the inexperienced 0-0 fighter onto their roster well aware that it would be nearly two year before they could reap the rewards.

A UFC heavyweight title run would simply have to wait.

In 2015, Makhov attempted to become the first wrestler to win gold medals in both freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling at the same World Championships. Based solely on his prior achievements, Makhov was allowed to compete in both styles, even though he had only trained in Greco-Roman for no more than a few short months.

He earned bronze medals in both styles that year and became the first wrestler in 43 years to medal in both freestyle and Greco Roman. It was an interesting experiment but Makhov does not plan to repeat it again. When the time comes to prepare for the Olympics, Makhov will focus solely on his bread and butter: freestyle wrestling.

While the potential of moving to an entirely new sport as he slowly nears 30 would be a daunting task for most, Makhov believes his natural ability will allow him to make up for lost time at a faster rate than others. He also has faith in the training regimen prepared by coach Murat Keshtov at K Dojo Warrior Tribe, a gym that trains UFC fighters like Albert Tumenov and Alexander Yakovlev.

Makhov takes some inspiration from other successful wrestlers who transitioned to MMA, including current UFC light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. He revealed that they are all united by the same "wrestling brotherhood," where your only identification card is your cauliflower ears.

"I met Daniel Cormier many years ago when he used to wrestle. He came to Russia a few times to compete. He was very popular in Russia because he would put a show on. He created a lot of fans in Russia. I never metCain Velasquez but maybe one day. The point is, I got motivation from those two fighters to compete. We wrestlers have something called a ‘wrestling brotherhood.' It doesn't matter where we come from. It doesn't matter what our nationality is. As long as we have cauliflower ears, we have something that holds together the wrestling ideology. Even if we don't know them personally, we love to see them succeed."

"I am hoping to be the elite of the elite one day and represent the sport of wrestling. One day, I will be there."

LINK: Makhov warns heavyweights: Olympic Gold then UFC title on my 'to do list'

 

[TheEmperorRises]

I've only heard his name, never seen him wrestle- but any man who can medal in two different styles in the same year is a scary mother f'er.

 

[TheFifthScallop]

I was under the assumption that Russia was on a suspension from the Olympic games due to the Doping scandal in 2015. Could someone elaborate, please?

 

[Priziesthorse]

I was under the assumption that Russia was on a suspension from the Olympic games due to the Doping scandal in 2015. Could someone elaborate, please?

They were suspended indefinitely. There's still a chance they could be reinstated before the Olympics. A taskforce is going to Russia next week to do a follow up investigation then they will make a decision if they are reinstated or not by March.

 

[Wild]

@Priziesthorse @ECC170 - how do you all think this behemoth will do in MMA?

 

[member 1013]

I was under the assumption that Russia was on a suspension from the Olympic games due to the Doping scandal in 2015. Could someone elaborate, please?

I think it is "being considered."

As Sochi demonstrated, Putin is more than capable of buying off the IOC. Dude's the richest man in the world.

 

[member 1013]

They were suspended indefinitely. There's still a chance they could be reinstated before the Olympics. A taskforce is going to Russia next week to do a follow up investigation then they will make a decision if they are reinstated or not by March.

I stand corrected.

 

[Priziesthorse]

@Priziesthorse @ECC170 - how do you all think this behemoth will do in MMA?

This guy is fucking huge. He will be cutting from 300 pounds. Yet, he is fast as fuck for that size. He will be elite taking ppl down from the outside or in the clinch. You can't really tell how ppl will do in mma until you see their first fight. Some ppl just don't like getting hit so we will see. He's only been training mma for a few months. His standup doesn't look too terrible for such limited training. You can see one of his first training sessions back in September.

 

[Disciplined Galt]

Future hw champion right there.

 

[1031]

The way the game is changing, outside footwork and striking is becoming more and more refined. I honestly think he's going to get lit up at the deep end of the talent pool.

 

[Zeph]

The way the game is changing, outside footwork and striking is becoming more and more refined. I honestly think he's going to get lit up at the deep end of the talent pool.

If you can keep it on the feet, and that is much less prevalent amongst heavyweights anyway.

 

[ECC170]

@Priziesthorse @ECC170 - how do you all think this behemoth will do in MMA?

i think he will gorilla fuck most guys without a day of mma training..once he does train itll be hard for ANYBODY to beat him...DC was rag dolling hw And he's much larger and a more diverse wrestler than DC..I can see him reverse gutting ppl onto their heads and ko'ng them with hammer fists in the future