The president of the promotion company "Legenda" Ruslan Suleymanov - one of the busiest promoters in Russia, however to Tayboks.R used the privilege of the information partner of the combative show "Legenda" and could ask Ruslan some interesting questions of the Legend-2 and future plans of promotion.
– Ruslan, tell, how successfully passed combative show "the Legend. Part 2: Invasion".
– In the whole show it was possible. All conceived took place. However, not all fights turned out equally spectacular. Well and certainly, there were small organizational defects which were imperceptible to the audience. We put to ourselves for this work the five with a minus on four-point system (smiles).
– Tournament it is easier to organize the second time?
– It is necessary to recognize, really a little easier, over time there is an experience. Though, considering the scale of second "Legend" which surpassed the first show of time twice, and by number of people – about one thousand people involved in preparation, – difficulties were. Still after all and enormous number of guests of honor, athletes and their teams, a set of the organizational moments connected with placement, flight, visa support.
– Fights on the first show were pleasant to much more, than on second "Legend". With what it is connected?
– I can tell that I understand those who so speaks. I recognize it. Itself I estimate some fights of second "Legend" insufficiently spectacular, contrary to even to my personal expectations: it is fight of Hari with Ignashov, Samedov with Mankhuf and It is resistant with Preteni. Expectations were slightly higher. All other fights – are faultless.
On first "Legend" also there were two unentertaining fights which disappointed me: these are fights on MMA Alexey Nazarov and Bob Sapp.
– Already the second time reaches the final the winner of reserve fight, and, respectively, much more spectacular fight breaks potentially...
– There are two schemes: leaves or the winner of reserve fight, or lost at the winner in a semi-final. In this case, at the second option, Melvin Mankhuf would have to reach the final. But it depends on contractual obligations and arrangements with specific fighters.
Both on the second, and on the first show we removed in the final of the winner of reserve fight for what, actually, reserve fight and becomes. Another thing is that we expected more dynamic duel in a reserve. Yes, can, is slightly lower, than the main fights, but nevertheless. Organizers of other tournaments in reserve fight put mediocre athletes, hoping that such case won't reach. And we invited strong athletes who acted in March of this year in Zagreb on K-1, participants of fights of heavy weight category.
– You held the Grand Prix in weight category of 93 kg on the second Legend tournament. You plan to involve the Russian fighters for the further performances, one of the best in this weight – Artem Vakhitov and Vladimir Mineev?
– We always try to find worthy talents among the Russian athletes, they in the field of our sight. Artem Vakhitov is interesting to us, as the growing Russian athlete who successfully acts in Glory. "Legend" doesn't exclude Vakhitov's invitation next year in the shows.
– Perhaps, there are any plans for the Russian fighters in other weight categories?
– "Legend" in general is interested in the Russian top athletes of various weight categories, as by the rules K-1, and MMA. Unfortunately, if to speak about a kickboxing, in heavy weight very few worthy athletes of world level.
– You said that the third tournament will take place in one of the Arab countries. Why such choice?
– To us the offer from partners of one of the Arab countries arrived to make tournament at them. There is an interest from local organizers. Interest to single combats grows in the Arab world, especially to a kickboxing more and more. The picture of fights there will differ very strongly from the European. Therefore we would like to use such opportunity in principle. However recently we with our partners made the decision third "Legend" to carry out again in Russia, but any more in the capital. Soon we will call the city of carrying out tournament which will take place in the spring of 2014.
Thus, next year we will hold tournaments as in Russia (regional), and abroad, thereby confirming the designated status of "Legend" as global promotion.
– What will the audience see on third "Legend"?
– While even up to the end we don't represent who exactly will act on third "Legend" and what exactly there will be. Top fighters whom exposed on the first two tournaments, the strongest promotions of the world (Alexey Oleynik is signed in UFC, Glory is interested Hammered with Samedov, Mirko Kro Kop is signed in Glory, etc.) already are interested in many. I can tell one: and scale, and fightcard will depend on a venue of the third show. Top level of the picture, giving, the organization, and also level of athletes – all this will be observed at the former, highest level.
– In Moscow you after all know who will come to the auditorium, and abroad won't make problems to find target audience?
– First, "Legend" is known today worldwide. After two mega-shows the world audience of tournament is already created. According to our many colleagues and partners abroad in the different countries if "Legend" arrives next year to the majority of the countries where combative tournaments are held, fillability of any platform is almost guaranteed to us.
Certainly, "Legend" won't go to the North Pole. There is a set of the countries where people love single combats so, considering show scale, we are sure of full fillability of a hall. We go to you!
– You will return to Russia with tournaments?
– Certainly. We will alternate our tournaments in Russia and in other countries. We from Russia, and Russia for us always in a priority. Carrying out tournaments in the homeland for us has special value.
– What legendary fighters we can expect on third "Legend"? The list of VIP-guests too will replenish with K-1 and MMA legends?
– The structure of participants up to the end isn't defined. Today offers from some world stars of show business arrive, they show an initiative to visit our tournament.
As only "Legend" is capable to bring so many world stars of K-1 and MMA at the same time, further we will please also with surprises of our audience and admirers.
– On W5 in the Eagle who has passed on November 15, Alim Nabiyev won against Armen Petrosyan, having told after fight that proved that it is better than Jabar Askerov who has conceded to Armen Petrosyan in 2010. How you think, whether Alim of a revenge with Jabar is worthy?
– First, I congratulate on a victory of Alim and his promoter Dmitry Ivanov. Secondly, each athlete has the right to state that he considers it necessary. But if it is serious, in single combats the same laws, as in mathematics don't work. Everything isn't so unambiguous. Namely: if Alim won against Armen, Armen won against Jabar is at all doesn't mean that Alim can automatically win against Jabar. At all respect for this fighter. Such examples millions. For example, Kharitonov won Verduma, Verdum won against Fedor, but it doesn't mean that Kharitonov unambiguously would win against Fedor. It is sports with unpredictable result which depends on various factors.
I will tell only the personal opinion: Alim strong, high level the fighter, a victory over Armen it proved once again it. But after all Jabar belongs today to group of the most top fighters of a kickboxing in the weight category. And at the same time "Legend" doesn't exclude for itself in the subsequent a revenge between these two athletes.
- Ruslan thank you that found for us time!
- Thank you, watch news of the Legend and we wait for all on our following tournaments!