On September 12 at ACA 207 in Krasnodar, Khadis Ibragimov will compete in his third fight for the promotion. His opponent will be the No. 1-ranked ACA heavyweight Kirill Kornilov.
Ahead of the upcoming fight, Ibragimov spoke about adapting to ACA, reflected on his loss to Evgeny Goncharov, recalled training with Kornilov and made it clear that he wants to enter the heavyweight title race.
Khadis, after lengthy negotiations, you finally made your ACA debut. What are your impressions of the promotion after your first events?
I consider ACA the best promotion in Russia and one of the best in the world! ACA turned out to be much better than I expected.
Let’s talk about the fight with Evgeny Goncharov. Now that some time has passed, how do you assess that fight? What went wrong?
I expected a stand-up war, but it didn’t happen. I thought Evgeny would trade with me, just as he said he wanted to before the fight, but after we exchanged, his plans changed, and that affected the result.
Before the fight, Goncharov said he was going to fight you on the feet, but during the fight he relied heavily on wrestling. How unexpected was that game plan for you?
I didn’t expect him to wrestle at all, but I’m also glad that he didn’t back up his words. I consider myself the winner. For me, winning that fight meant keeping my word!
You still had some exchanges on the feet. How did you rate Goncharov’s striking?
He is very slow in the striking exchanges, and his punches are much weaker than mine.
How difficult was it for you to deal with the loss?
I was upset, but after looking at it objectively, I realized that I wouldn’t want to win the way he did.
What conclusions did you draw from that fight?
If I get a rematch with Goncharov, you will see a completely different fight. He won’t be able to do anything to win!
How interested are you in the rematch?
I’m interested in the rematch, and I hope he won’t avoid it!
Now let’s talk about Kirill Kornilov. He called you out himself. How did you react to the offer to fight him?
I’m happy to share the cage with Kirill and find out which one of us is stronger!
You know each other and have trained together before?
Yes, Kirill and I know each other, and we’ve had quite a few training sessions together. I helped him prepare for fights, and he helped me.
Did you have full sparring sessions together?
We sparred a long time ago. More recently, we mostly wrestled.
Kornilov rarely initiates wrestling himself. Do you feel that you will finally get a fight that takes place mostly on the feet?
I’m sure the fight will be exciting!
Do you think Kirill could still choose a cautious and pragmatic approach even on the feet?
I think if I start trading, he won’t back down!
Kornilov has good striking technique but not many stoppage victories in ACA. Why do you think that is?
Kirill doesn’t like to put everything into his punches. He focuses more on volume and scoring points.
How do you rate Kornilov as a fighter overall?
A very strong stand-up fighter!
If you compare the two of you specifically as strikers, where do you see your advantage?
I believe my boxing is definitely better, and I hit harder.
What is your advantage as a complete MMA fighter?
I’m young, hungry and explosive, and I have character!
What makes Kornilov dangerous?
I think Kirill is dangerous on the feet, and one unexpected punch could play a cruel trick!
What factor will be key to your victory?
Speed.
Kornilov is currently ranked No. 1 in the ACA heavyweight division. A victory could immediately put you among the leading contenders. How much motivation does that give you?
I’m very happy to return to the title race. If I beat Kirill, I hope to become the contender, and I really want a title fight.
What would you like your next step to be after beating Kornilov?
I want a title fight!
Among the leading ACA heavyweights, who interests you the most?
I’m very interested in a rematch with Goncharov, but I want a title fight even more!
Alikhan Vakhaev recently defended his championship belt against Amir Aliakbari. What did you think of the result?
Congratulations to Alikhan on his victory, and I hope to meet him in the cage soon in a fight for the belt!
How do you assess Vakhaev as a potential opponent?
Alikhan is a well-rounded fighter who is dangerous both in wrestling and on the feet!
At ACA 207, Evgeny Goncharov will face Jailton Almeida. Who do you consider the favorite?
I consider Goncharov the favorite, and I hope he wins. I don’t want him to lose before we meet again!
Goncharov is once again saying that he intends to fight on the feet and wants to knock Almeida out. Does that rhetoric remind you of anything after your fight?
I think he will go for the knockout against Jailton because he can get it!
After your own experience fighting Goncharov, do you believe him when he says before a fight that he isn’t going to wrestle?
After my fight with Goncharov, I don’t want to believe any fighters or anything they say before a fight!
How interested would you be in fighting Jailton Almeida yourself?
I’m not interested in that fight, but if the promotion gives it to me, I’m ready to fight anyone!
You’re 31 years old despite already having a great deal of experience and a long career. How do you feel right now? Have you already reached your peak, or are your best years still ahead?
I feel myself getting stronger and continuing to grow in the sport. I’m still far from my peak!
What would you like to say to the fans ahead of ACA 207? And what would you like to say to Kirill Kornilov?
I’ll be waiting for everyone at the arena in Krasnodar on September 12, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure they remember my fight and don’t regret coming. I wish Kirill a good training camp so that he comes into the fight in the best shape possible!
