Murad Ramazanov lauds Nurmagomedov training for fast PFL start

CHICAGO – After his first win in 28 months, Murad Ramazanov gave credit score to the standout group he trains with in Russia.

Dagestan’s Ramazanov (12-0) stayed unbeaten Friday when he submitted Laureano Staropoli (13-6) a little more than four minutes into their fight to open the 2024 PFL welterweight season. The win gave Ramazanov 6 factors within the standings, leaving him within the ultimate place heading into his second common season battle.

After his win over Staropoli, who missed weight for the battle, Ramazanov mentioned the group previously led by Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who died in 2020, has helped form him into a brand new PFL contender.

“I feel relating to our college, it’s all due to the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov,” Ramazanov instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters by a translator after his win at Wintrust Enviornment in Chicago. “He was the one who put self-discipline behind every little thing, all people within the gymnasium. It’s all about strict self-discipline and sticking to your coaching course of. We’ve respect for everyone who trains, after which clearly we work actually exhausting.”

The group now could be guided largely by Khabib Nurmagomedov, a former UFC light-weight champion thought-about one of many pound-for-pound greats in MMA historical past.

Ramazanov hadn’t fought since a December 2022 no contest with Roberto Soldic below the ONE Championship banner and hadn’t gained since a December 2021 victory for ONE. Now his 6 factors within the welterweight standings trails solely Don Madge, and solely based mostly on a tiebreaker as a result of Madge had a sooner end.

Nonetheless, Ramazanov is in an incredible spot heading into his subsequent battle, which might be in late June in Sioux Falls, S.D. He thinks the coaching he continues to get is what’s going to put him excessive.

“I’ve been round different gyms within the U.S., different nations,” Ramazanov mentioned. “It’s not that I say they’re any worse. Clearly, folks prepare exhausting. However with us, it’s extra about self-discipline. That’s essential. However I’m very completely satisfied to go to coach with different gyms, and different folks come to our gymnasium and it’s all about love and respect and coaching collectively and enhancing.

“Now Khabib Nurmagomedov, he’s following the trail of his father and he’s maintaining that self-discipline. We owe to him and his father the hassle they put with us. It’s all about following a strict self-discipline program and hold successful. That’s how champions are being made.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for PFL 2024, Week 3.