Korean mixed martial arts fighter Su Yong Yu (7-2), playing in the Kazakh league Naiza FC, gave an exclusive interview to bbabo.net. In it, he spoke about plans to become the champion of the promotion, shared his thoughts about getting into the UFC, and also talked about how Kazakh rival Zhuman Zhumabekov (11-5) is convenient for him.
For the 26-year-old fighter, the performance at the Naiza FC 37 tournament, which will be held on March 5 in Almaty, will be his debut in the league. Previously, he performed in Korean promotions, had experience in Japanese Pancrase and UAE Warriors (UAE).
Korean jitser with championship experience, or who will the Kazakh fighter face at the Naiza FC tournament
- Will you come to Kazakhstan for the first time?
- Yes, this will be my first visit to Kazakhstan.
- What do you know about our country?
- Kazakhstan has a very large territory and is a beautiful country where people live in harmony with nature. People are simple and kind, but at the same time I know that they are very strong. As far as I know, Korea and Kazakhstan have a lot in common in people and culture, so I'm looking forward to seeing it in person!
- Do you know that over one hundred thousand Koreans live in Kazakhstan. Perhaps some of them will even support you from the stands.
- Not only because we have so much in common, but also because of the large Korean population, I am one hundred percent sure that I will feel at home and feel the support of my people. But since Kazakhstan and Korea are fraternal countries, I will still be welcomed by enthusiastic Kazakh MMA fans.
- You signed a contact with Naiza FC. How many fights are you going to be here for bbabo.net?
- I don't know how many fights I'll have. But I am the person who will become the first Korean Naiza FC champion and go to the UFC.
- Your opening opponent is Zhuman Zhumabekov. He is famous in Kazakhstan and has a lot of fans. Last year he was the league champion. Have you watched his fights yet?
- I know that my opponent is a famous fighter and a former champion. I watched a lot of his fights on YouTube and I watched live his last title defense.
- What is your prediction for the fight?
- He has strength in his fists, but his movements are too massive and slow. If you throw a punch with such a large swing, it will be difficult for you to hit me. This I can use to my advantage and defeat him without haste.
- You started to compete in MMA among professionals at the age of 18, and lost the first fight by unanimous decision. After that, you didn't fight for almost three years. Why such a long break?
- I had to do my compulsory military service for a period of two years. Then it took me another year to train and get back in the cage.
- You had good results in the Korean TFC League, but you never became a champion. Why did you switch leagues after several wins in a row?
- Scheduled fights were postponed again due to the coronavirus, and I decided to find a new league for my career. Luckily, Naiza FC offered me the place I was looking for.
- Previously, you fought only in Korea and once in Japan. And in 2021, you performed for the first time in a completely new country for yourself - in the UAE. How was the atmosphere of the tournament there different from the one you are used to in Korea?
- More people were rooting for my opponent than for me. At that time, I had not gone into the cage for a long time, so I think that there was an overabundance of tension and nerves.
- Why did you lose that evening to an undefeated fighter from Tajikistan? Something went wrong?
- I think tension and emotions played a role as I was very nervous after a long break. To be honest, I know I'm capable of defeating him, but because I didn't trust myself the way I should have, it cost me the fight.
- Now you are in the Naiza FC league. What do you think of your division? Do you know that Russian ex-UFC fighter Grigory Popov (14-4) performs in this weight?
- Yes I know. I am honored to be on the same stage with a former UFC fighter like Popov. And we also have a common manager - Sayat Abdrakhmanov.
- What do you want to achieve in Naiza FC?
- I want many Kazakh people to know that there is a strong fighter in Korea and I want to show an exciting fun fight for the fans who will come to fight. My mission is to prove that I am capable of bringing the Naiza FC Bantamweight Championship belt to Korea by defeating the former champion in my debut.
- You are only 26 and you are still quite young. What are your dreams in MMA? Is there any thought in your head to get into the UFC and become the new Korean star there, like Jung Chan Sung (Korean Zombie) or Doo Hoo Choi (Korean Superboy)?
- Certainly. If in the future I become a high-level fighter like Zombie, I would like to compete in the UFC. I will fight there, no doubt. The only difference will be that my career will develop from the Kazakh Naiza FC (smiles). Fighting and becoming a champion in Kazakhstan is one of my career goals at the moment.- Do you have friends or acquaintances among UFC fighters? I know that you previously performed on the same card with future UFC champion Zhang Weili.
- I don't have such close friends yet. I saw Zhang Weili fight with my friend Yedam Seo, who also signed with Naiza FC. I also saw Khamzat Chimaev chasing a cat in the UAE.
- When will you arrive in Kazakhstan?
- I'll be there already in the week of the fight.
Recall that his opponent will be the 32-year-old captain of the DAR Pro Team Zhumabekov. In February last year, the Kazakhstani won the organization's champion belt, but lost this status in the summer, losing by knockout to Kyrgyz fighter Aizhigit Erkebai Uulu (6-1).
The tournament, which will take place on March 5, will be the first for Naiza FC in 2022.
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Photo: Instagram/you_jitsu
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