Khabib lifted MMA in Uzbekistan: First female Uzbek fighter in UFC

Russian superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov is playing a crucial role in the growth of mixed martial arts in Uzbekistan, said Liliya Shakirova, the first female UFC fighter from Uzbekistan.

Shakirova, making her debut in the UFC, will face flyweight No. 5 Lauren Murphy in the main card of UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi’s Fight Island on Saturday.

She revealed that it was only last year the MMA became a legal sport in Uzbekistan but is making rapid progress ever since.

“We get support from our president and Khabib’s team. His team came to Uzbekistan and negotiated ways to get Uzbek fighters reach the UFC and other promotions around the world. So, they are heavily involved in those negotiations. Khabib has a lot of fans in Uzbekistan. I am happy to be fighting on the same card as him,” she said.

Shakirova, the wrestler, wasn’t keen on MMA and instead preparing for the Olympics. But she got disqualified for two years following a brawl against an entire team during a tournament held before the Olympics.

“People who win constantly will be provoked by their opponents. The whole team went after me. I was alone but I reacted. I used wrestling and boxing skills to fight the entire team. I won the brawl but got disqualified.”

Later a friend was looking for a female MMA fighter and that’s how she entered the circle in 2017. It was recently that UFC offered her a slot of a replacement fighter against Lauren Murphy.

“I was sleeping when I got the call. I was asked if I am ready to make my debut in the UFC. It was my dream to be in the UFC. I am not fully prepared for this fight. But I have watched fighters in my weight division as they are potential opponents for me, so is her (Murphy). I know what to do and how to win this fight,” the rookie added.

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi