ACB's commentator Bryan Lacey talked to Ismail Naurdiev ahead of his bout with Benny Alloway at ACB 60
Bryan: You had a late replacement for your ACB debut in Vienna at ACB 52, how happy were you with that performance?
Ismail: I was really happy with that performance because it was important for me to put on a good fight and good show for my ACB debut and I think I did that.
Bryan: What's you're background in Martial Arts?
Ismail: My background is actually wrestling but now I mainly train and work on my stand-up.
Bryan: What titles have you held in wrestling?
Ismail: I am a 4 time Austrian national wrestling champion. I couldn't compete for European or world championships because I do not have full citizenship. So I wrestled only in Austria.
Bryan: Frank Mir commentated with me on your last fight and was very impressed with you. Since then you have been signed by First Round Management - his agent and the agent of Jon Jones and Tyron Woodley. How did that happen?
Ismail: Yes, this is true. Frank Mir made a post about me on his Instagram and tagged in his management. Abraham Kawa made a comment to send him our way so I sent him a message and from there we talked. He said he was interested in representing me so we agreed a contract and now I am very happy to be represented by the agent of such big stars like Jon Jones and Frank Mir.
Bryan: What were your thoughts on your next match-up when ACB offered you the more experienced Benny Alloway?
Ismail: He is more experienced and I think this will not be an easy fight but I know I am better and I will knock him out, get the next bonus and send him back to Australia!
Bryan: Does anything he does impress you?
Ismail: I think he is good at Jiu Jitsu but I don't care. It will not come to a jiu Jitsu fight, I will not let it.
Bryan: Where do you think a win over Benny Alloway would put you in terms of rankings and a title shot with ACB?
Ismail: He beat Sergey khandozhko and I think Sergey is in the top 10. With an impressive win over Benny I could be 2 or 3 fights away from a shot at the title.
Bryan: Where have you trained for this fight camp?
Ismail: I was in Sweden for 4 weeks training in Stockholm at All Stars gym and 1 week in Rotterdam and I sparred with top K1 fighters from Glory like Marat Grigoryan and other good fighters. At All Stars I trained and sparred with Fernado Gonzales, Reza Madadi and I also sparred 1 round with Alexander Gustafsson.
Bryan: How did the 1 round with Alexander Gustafsson go?
Ismail: (laughing) It was very difficult, he is too big! Too heavy and too big! (Still laughing) But if I was in his weight class of course I would destroy him!
Bryan: You've made Austria your home now. How different do you think life would have been if you hadn't made that move?
Ismail: I think it would be very difficult for me to do what I do now. When I was young in Chechnya we had to move around a lot because of the war. We'd go from city to city never staying in one place. We never had a chance to do something like I am now. I am happy we came here to Austria and I am happy to represent Austria.
Bryan: I saw at the last event in Vienna just how much support you have from the Austrian fans. They absolutely love you. How grateful are you that they have embraced you as one of their own?
Ismail: I feel very good and grateful for my fans. They are very good fans and they come to my fights and show me great support. I love them! (Laughing again) But it is not enough.....I need more fans!
Bryan: Do you have a message for your opponent Benny Alloway?
Ismail: Enjoy your last two weeks grandpa before I send you into retirement to go and collect your pension!
