His next fight will be at the ACB 62 tournament, which will be held on June 17 in Rostov-on-Don.
His opponent will be the American athlete Avdam Townsend.
The favorite of the Rostov public in an interview with Soviet Sport told how he survived the defeat in his last fight against Eduard Vartanyan, and also shared his opinion about the upcoming fight.
There was a lot of talk after your fight with Eduard Vartanyan. Many considered the decision controversial and you even filed an appeal. Now that enough time has passed, have you come to terms with that decision? Or are you still worried about it? - I'm cold, of course. There are no such emotions as in the first days after the battle. What was, is gone. I understand the real state of things, so I am focused on the future.
You've had several serious injuries. In particular, a shoulder injury, as well as a broken nose in a fight with Vartanyan. How do you rate your condition? Did you fully recover? Yes, I had a shoulder injury. Unfortunately, it has already become chronic. Therefore, periodically you need to do procedures and recover. That's just after the fight was the time to do all this. I also had a broken nose, and I couldn't spar properly. Did some other work. And so, one superimposed on the other - quite a long time has passed. Nothing worries me now. Of course, there are microtraumas, as always. But nothing serious.
Before the fight with Vartanyan, you had a series of seven victories in a row. Now that it has been interrupted, has your emotional attitude towards fighting changed? After all, in addition to mixed martial arts you have a business. Is there such a thing that you are a little "cooled down"? - No, I wouldn't say. I don’t look at statistics anymore, but at the fights themselves. And I’m more repulsed by what I showed in the duel. The battle has passed: won or won - it does not matter. The battle has passed - and it is from this that I build on and draw conclusions. Statistics is one of the links in the chain. But the main thing is how we enter the cage and what fights we show.
When you came to the DIA, there was a feeling that you were burning with the desire to win the title. And now, after quite close combat the victory went to Eduard and he continued his way to the top, and you were thrown back a little. Did you become less “hungry” after what happened? On the contrary, it only spurred me on even more. Before the fight with Eduard, it was clear that the title was close. Now, to reach the title, I need to fight a few more fights. The road has lengthened. But it's okay.
That is, you have not given up and are determined to win the DIA belt? After all, as far as we know, after the upcoming fight, your contract with the DIA expires. - I think, if the circumstances so developed and I did not go to title fight- so it must be. Maybe it's too early to think about it. When it is destined, I will come and win it. In any case, I do my best. I train and improve day by day. On the this moment, the title of DIA is the highest priority goal for me. I will systematically move towards it. Despite the defeat, I will not stop.
Do you consider the title of DIA in lightweight the most prestigious in Russia? - Of course. I signed with the league because it's a strong organization. Here the competitive weight is 70 kilograms. This title will be quoted in the world. Everyone will understand that if a person wins a belt, he deserves it. Because seeing what a stubborn struggle is going on in this weight, what fights the representatives show, people understand that if a person bears the title of champion of this organization, this indicates his level. What is it strong fighter. You can be the champion of a small-town organization - that's not it. After all, people understand where the top is. For me, the championship in the DIA is like the Olympics. This is my peak.
Alexander Shabliy
Adam Townsend
Citizenship
light (up to 70 kg)
light (up to 70 kg)
MMA stats 15 wins 3 losses
164th place
64th
You were offered a fight at DIA 61 against Islam Makoev. But this fight never took place. Then you said that this fight is useless for you, because defeating him will not bring you closer to the belt. But basically, your next opponent Townsend won't get you any closer to the belt either. He is not even in the DIA ratings. Why did you take this fight? - Initially, I asked someone from the top ten. The one with whom I would show an interesting duel. But everyone was either busy or resting, and only Makoev was free. I agreed to fight him, but they assigned him to DIA 61, which was supposed to take place on May 20th. It was at the very beginning of May. And I asked to postpone the fight, because I simply did not have time to prepare. But Islam Makoev began fasting and the duel with him was finally canceled. Then the manager offered me Townsend and I agreed.
How do you assess which of them poses the greatest threat to you? - They are both unique. Islam fights well. Townsend hits well, he seems to be fighting too. In general, the two have their strengths and weak sides. I can't tell which one is stronger.
Before the last fight, you had a string of fast finishes. And you said you wanted to test yourself, do all three rounds. Well, after the fight with Vartanyan, you said that you were satisfied with your functional training in battle, although you were upset by the decision. This time, do you want to go the whole distance again, or are you setting yourself up for the finish line? - I will definitely not tune in to the finish line. In the last fight, despite the desire to go the whole distance, instincts worked. You see, over the past six fights, after my attacks, people fell or were shocked and I finished them off. And I'm used to it. This time, the exact same thing happened. I hooked Edward and rushed to finish him off. Deep down I knew that this was not necessary, but I could not stop. And for the first two rounds, I thought: now I’ll knock him out, now I’ll hit him. And I missed all the heavy shots because of this. Because I was looking for the finish line. Therefore, I am going to conduct my next duel measuredly and calmly.
That is, in the future you want to become a more balanced fighter in terms of decision-making? - Yes.
However, recently the DIA league has bonuses for finishes (early wins - ed.). Will it affect your fighting style in any way? - This is a good bonus, but for me now it is not motivation. For me now the main thing is to go out, fight and win. Well, that's a great bonus. I think we will see a lot of guys who will run forward and will hunt for finishes. But on the contrary, I need to extinguish this feeling a little.
Now DIA holds tournaments all over the world. Including in the USA. Many fighters want to fight in America to be noticed across the ocean. Would you be more interested in fighting there or at home? After all, this is the second tournament in Rostov that you lead. On your shoulders lies the promotion of the tournament and so on. How would you be more comfortable? - This question has two sides: technical and psychological. On the technical side, it is more convenient to fight at home. You calmly make weight, calmly recover. Everything is at hand, everything is within walking distance. There is family and psychological stability. But when you go out to fight - all this plays against you. The whole hall is filled with native audience, everyone is yelling, waiting for a knockout and driving you forward. When I fought last time, I didn't hear my second, it was a bit confusing.
But I would also like to fight in the USA. It's a different continent, you don't have fans here. There are no habitual, well-established schemes: you don’t know how and where you will drive weight and recover, what you will eat. From this point of view, I would like to gain experience. Nose psychological point vision would be easier. There are no acquaintances who need help with tickets or guide to the tournament. Does not crush the feeling of responsibility to the assembled native public.
Tell us about your latest preparations for battle. Do you have some kind of ritual? - Usually I try to go to the evening service in the church the day before. If it doesn’t work out, then in the morning I go to the temple to pray. Then, already in the hall, before the warm-up, I gather with my comrades. We pray and only after that we go to train. Prayer balances, gives peace. It helps me.
ACB 62: Chablis vs Townsend I June 17 18-00 I KSK Express
An evening of big fights in Rostov at the ACB 62 tournament.
League ACB June 17 returns to Rostov-on-Don. The previous two visits gave local fans unforgettable emotions, and the two main fights of the past tournaments Tokov - Aguev and Shabliy - Vartanyan will forever go down in the history of domestic martial arts. However, we are not used to living in the past - the league is developing every day, and we are ready to surprise martial arts fans even more. This time we have prepared a traditionally strong card with the participation of the strongest domestic and foreign athletes.
So what's in store for viewers? June 17 in KSK Express?
The attention of fans will be primarily riveted to the performance of local athletes. The first of the Rostovites to enter the cage Sergei Martynov. He will have a very difficult test in the face of an undefeated athlete from Kyrgyzstan Daniyar Abdibaeva.
Of the most interesting fights, one can single out the performance Hrachya Bozinyan, which is also already familiar to the Rostovites in the ACB 38 tournament. In the ACB league, this athlete won two early victories in a row and now he is facing a serious test from the German Jonas Bilstein.
Also, the most experienced fighter will take part in the tournament, who for a long time performed for the Ocean - Hakob Stepanyan nicknamed "Sniper", which he received for his powerful and aimed strikes. The Brazilian will confront him Felipe Cruz.
Naturally, the main event of the evening will be the return of a local hero - Alexandra Shablia. Last October, Alexander suffered a humiliating defeat in Rostov. The fight was equal, but the judges decided to give the victory to the opponent of the Rostovite. But this defeat did not break the fighter, but, on the contrary, motivated him even more for further work. And now Alexander is ready to return to the cage to welcome the newcomer of the ACB league - American Adam Townsend. The fight is expected to be serious, as both fighters are determined to go to the end.
Summing up, we can say that this tournament will become real test for fighters from Russia, after all, one of the strongest foreigners in the league will confront them. Remember what crazy emotions reigned in the previous two tournaments. This time it won't be any worse. We are waiting for all fans of martial arts on June 17 at KSK Express, because there are no boring fights in the ACB league. Big fights, less shows!
Also, do not miss the weigh-in, which will take place June 16 at 20-00 at the cinema "Bolshoy".
Tickets for the event can be purchased on the official website of the promotion acbmma.com
At the moment the card looks like this. Two more matches will be added:
(70.3) Adam Townsend (USA) – Alexander Shabliy (Russia)
(66) Felipe Cruz (Brazil) - Akop Stepanyan (Russia)
(84) Jonas Billstein (Germany) - Grachya Bozinyan (Russia)
(66) Artak Nazaryan (Armenia) - Alexander Peduson (Russia)
(93) Jared Torgeson (USA) - Dovletjan Yagshimuradov (Turkmenistan)
(57) Isaac Pimentel (Brazil) - Valery Khazhirokov (Russia)
(93+) Sergey Bilostenny (Russia) - Dmitry Zabolotny (Russia)
(84) Daniyar Abdibaev (Kyrgyzstan) - Sergey Martynov (Russia)
Alexander Shabliy / Photo: ACB press service
DIA top lightweight Alexander Shabliy told Sportbox.ru reporter Yaroslav Stepanov about his preparations for the upcoming fight against Adam Townsend (ACV 62, Rostov-on-Don, June 17), about his desire to rematch with, as well as about the reasons for the last defeat.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVKMTmmB5bc/?taken-by=acb_mma“Preparations started about four weeks ago. For two of them, I intensively prepared on the basis of the Rostov club Peresvet, then I left for two weeks at Doug Fighter. I spend finishing at home, in Rostov, - says Shabliy.
What did you focus on during training camp?
- The opponent this time is a wagon. He hits well, fights well, puts a lot of pressure, crushes. The emphasis was on movement, the number of strokes. I'm not going to fly for an early finish, I want to fight more competently.
- Did you recover after the fight against Eduard Vartanyan?
“We are warriors who chose this profession ourselves. We know what we are going for. I didn't have any moral decline. My nose was broken, but I recovered. Not so long ago, he began to fully spar. Of course, there was a small residue. My team, for example, still believes that I won the fight. But the fight came out close, so I treat it with understanding. Although I don’t know by what principle the MMA Union judges. This is not the first time we see mistakes on their part. Honestly, I do not want to raise this topic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQAgHrqA5OM/?taken-by=alexandr_shabliy- This is your second fight in a row in Rostov. Would you like to fight somewhere else?
- When I was playing at ProFC, I had a lot of fights at home, I want to go somewhere else. There is a lot of responsibility here. Relatives are sick. It plays both a good role and not so much. Everyone is driving forward, they want the finish line. There is a desire to perform somewhere far away from home. You leave, you don’t think about anything, you fight calmly.
– The family is next to you during the preparation. Doesn't distract?
- Of course, the family needs attention. And during the preparation period, you should fully concentrate on upcoming fight. I always try to stay away. During the finishing, my relatives help me a lot. At the stage of weight loss, the wife prepares food, the kids lift your spirits when you return tired.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSYYFlBDy9s/?taken-by=alexandr_shabliy– ACB has many events planned in other countries. Will you go outside of Russia, if offered?
- By itself. It's a great experience. I wonder how the body will behave in conditions of acclimatization.
- When I fought Vartanyan, we had a Candidates fight. Everyone knows this. At the very least, I should be somewhere around the champion. When compiling ratings, the number of matches in the league is taken into account. Take Leandro Silva. He is on the ninth line, although in the overall Fightmatrix rating he is higher than many representatives of the DIA. I have only two performances in the promotion, so I treat my position with understanding.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGmy4ErEHjk/?taken-by=alexandr_shabliy!}- Do you want a rematch with Vartanyan?
– I spoke about it right away. It all depends on the leadership. I don't want to get ahead of myself because right now I'm focusing on Townsend. After we'll see.
- It was clear that last time you overly succumbed to emotions, not everything worked out. Are you planning to fight more accurately now?
- You know, I said then that I would be careful. How everything will happen in practice, the cell will show. Yes, emotions took over, although this usually does not happen. I was so sure of an early victory that sometimes I even visualized how the referee stopped the fight after finishing off. It played a cruel joke...
- What are the global plans in MMA?
- Everything suits me at the DIA, I see no reason to change the location. This is one of the biggest leagues in the world. There is a great attitude towards the fighters. There are a lot of all sorts of bonuses, good financial conditions, the employees of the organization are closely involved in the media of athletes.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIDJQcTj0wp/?taken-by=alexandr_shabliy– I know that before the fights you go to the temple. What role does religion play in your career?
“This is the main part of my life. Without faith, there would be nothing.
- You have just returned from the cinema (the interview was recorded on the evening of June 11 - approx. Sportbox.ru). Are you at all nervous before the fight?
- For the first time in the last year, I got into the cinema. We frolic with my wife before a hard week, because there is a weight race ahead. After last fight I want to fight differently, to avoid past mistakes. There is no nervousness, there is some kind of brainstorming. You constantly think over the scenario of the duel. This, I confess, even like it.