THE SECOND QUALIFY TOUR OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MIXED MARTIAL ARTS) IN ABU DHABI COMPLETED, AND ONLY TWO APPLICANTS FOR THE MAIN PRIZE IN ONE MILLION DIRHAMS WERE FINISHED. MUCH IT, OR LITTLE - FOR SEVERAL MONTHS OF TURNING TRAINING BEFORE THE FIGHT AND RISK IN THE RING? IS THIS REWARD SUFFICIENT FOR BLOOD AND PAIN, FOR INJURIES AND DAMAGE, WHICH ARE RECEIVED BY THE FIGHTERS IN THE DUST OF HAZARDS DURING THE FIGHT? ONLY FOR THE MILLION DOES THEY GO FOR IT?
The second round was presented at a good professional level, thanks to the efforts of “I SEE” - the organizers of this spectacular show. Actively conducted advertising campaign and well-organized event design attracted the maximum number of fans. In the fifth hall of the metropolitan exhibition complex ADNEC there was a real full house. The excitement of the audience was additionally heated by all kinds of drinks with light snacks, a wide range of which were available in the local bars of the hall. At the stands there was a brisk sale of sports accessories with thematic symbols.
So it began .... Before the main semi-final, fighters of the middle and welterweight categories performed, for whom both fellow athletes and numerous spectators were equally passionate. The victory of the Emirate participant Ali Ahli in sparring with Italian rival Luciano Ferreira was welcomed with deafening applause, cheers and even dancing.
After the defeat of the Iraqi athlete, Rafat Shawi, a group of fans with national flags and in the same t-shirts left the hall in frustration, not having watched the rest of the fighters to the end. Despite the active support of numerous British fans, Malik Omarov finished the fight with a UK martial artist Julian Willis. The Russian athlete had many admirers of his talent both among the local population and a large number of residents.
With each battle the tension grew, the hour of the “moment of truth” was approaching. Who will reach the finals? Who will get a million? Heavyweights entered the ring. The first couple are professional boxers, kick boxers and wrestlers - Shamil Abdurahimov (Russia) and Sukodzhu Nkamhoua (Cameroon). Fighting ethics did not allow Shamil to actively use kick-boxing techniques because of the injured foot of Cameroonian Sukouju. A technically competent wrestling match seemed a bit sluggish, perhaps due to the rare use of kick-boxing techniques. The referee several times parted the “hugged” athletes at the ring net. Two rounds of martial arts scored points, and only in the third, final round, Shamil carried out the classic tactics of capture and knocked the opponent down. The match ended in a clear victory for the Russian athlete Shamil Abdurahimov.
The second pair of semifinalists was even more interesting, because the outcome of this battle predetermined who would fight the Russian in the final for a million. The audience's favorite, wrestling professional, ju-jitsu and judo fighter, Brazilian Marcos Oliveira and classic old-school fighter, wrestling professional and jujitsu fighter - British Neil Vine entered the ring. Neil is a strong contender with extensive experience in various competitions. An excellent duel between two worthy fighters was somewhat “smeared” by an attempt to simulate from Oliveira: after a series of powerful punches in a close battle and a technical uppercut, the Brazilian “swam” and, retreating, imitated a missed blow to the inguinal region, crashed, fell. But a slowed-down replay on the screens revealed a failed attempt - a freeze-frame clearly defined an upward blow to the jaw. Exposed Marcos took advantage of Neil's confusion and bewilderment and, in the first seconds after the resumption of the match, abruptly threw the Briton to the floor and knocked down with powerful left punches, from which Vine could not close.
“Inshaallah, I will win this million!”, Said Shamil Aburakhmanov from the ring to the audience, having beaten Sukodju in Cameroon in the qualifying match .... And later for the “Russian Emirates” he added: “I fight not for the money, but for the victory itself. And I have no doubt in my strength for the next battle with Marcos Oliveiro. And although it is said that we assume that God has it, I know all the strengths and weaknesses of Marcos, and I can take advantage of it. "
Congratulations to the winners and look forward to the third round of mixed martial arts fights at the beginning of next year in Abu Dhabi.
