Interview with ACA flyweight prospect Salavdi Dzhamaldaev
Photo courtesy of Dzhasal
This interview comes to us courtesy of @CaucasusWarrior and @5utzow on Twitter. Both are great friends of the site and are excellent resources for amateur and professional athletics in the Caucasus region. Enjoy their interview with one of the brightest flyweight prospects in the world!
Today we had the opportunity to speak with Salavdi Dzhamaldaev. At only 22 years old, he is one of the best prospects in Chechnya and is currently participating in the ACA Young Eagles Grand-Prix at 125 pounds.
Can you tell us about your background in combat sports ?
I started with freestyle wrestling and practiced it for three years. I had some success in locals tournaments, but I always want to get into new things. So, next I tried Greco-Roman wrestling, and then judo for a few months. I finally got into MMA at 15 years old, when I won the Russian Pankration Cup tournament as well as the Sambo and Pankration championship of North-Caucasus.
What do you like most about MMA?
The practice of martial arts is to work on yourself, to improve your body and its capacities. So, I love to constantly improve and always learn new things. I love knowing that I have become stronger than I was yesterday.
Talk us through your impressive Calf-Slicer victory vs. Alim Karov!
In preparation for that fight, I was working on taking the back through the legs when my opponent charges me. The night before the fight I decided that I needed a special move to finish Alim. I remembered some fights on YouTube and I started to search through techniques until I found one I liked - the calf- slicer from Charles Oliveira. So, I went to bed with the vision of using this technique, and it worked well, even though I had never practiced it.
The funny part is that I learned the name of this technique after the fight when ACA posted the result on Instagram.
Which fighters inspired your style?
Inspired? I don't know about that. But I like the style of TJ Dillashaw, Georges St-Pierre, Adlan Amagov, Zabit Magomedsharipov, and Jon Jones.
What are your dreams for the future of your career?
Obviously I want to fight in the UFC. But not just fight, I will become the champion. For the moment, I need to win the ACA Young Eagles tournament. I have already beat one of them, still three left to be the champion, and I will be the champion. We will talk about my future plans after this tournament, we don't need to go too far right now.
Which part of your game do you most want to improve?
Everything. There is no limit in perfection, there is a lot of work to do and I have only just started my journey. I’m only a debutant and I want my mind to be always open to new knowledge.
Salavdi Dzhamaldaev is part of the ACA Young Eagles flyweight Grand Prix.
Who do you think your toughest opponent is in the ACA Young Eagles Grand Prix?
I even don't know! (He laughs). For the moment the most dangerous opponent I have fought was David Kisiev.
What do you want to do after the tournament?
I will take a little break, then write an album and become a rock star under the name of Sad Lavi. I have already started to write some songs! (He laughs).
Thank you for your time Salavdi, we wish you only the best, and for you to win this tournament, take care!
Thanks to you guys! This was my first interview and I’m excited to read it !