18-year-old kickboxer Aysu Gahramanova could become the first Azerbaijani athlete to join the prestigious fighting organization ONE FC.
Recently, Aysu knocked out her opponent in Thailand and became the winner of the Patong League, one of the qualifying stages on the path to ONE FC.
In an interview with Idman.biz, the Azerbaijani athlete, who is currently in Thailand, spoke about her fights, how she started practicing martial arts, and her meeting with UFC star Tony Ferguson.
Tell us about your last fight in Thailand.
I participate in qualifying tournaments to make it into the prestigious ONE FC organization. In particular, my last fight drew a lot of attention in Thailand, and thanks to that, I received an invitation to participate in one of the qualifying stages. I hope my next fights will also be successful.
What was the most difficult fight?
It took place just ten days after my arrival. I fought against the ONE FC champion from Spain, who was 10 kg heavier than me. It was a very tough, but at the same time successful fight. Thanks to this match, I gained invaluable experience.
How long have you been in Thailand?
I have been here for three months, undergoing training camps while also participating in competitions and professional fights. Thailand is considered a popular place for MMA fighters to train.
How long do you plan to stay in Thailand?
I plan to stay here until November, after which I will go to Saudi Arabia with the Azerbaijani national team for the Islamic Solidarity Games. Then I will return to Thailand and continue participating in professional fights.
It is known that many Azerbaijani fighters train in Thailand. Have you met any of them?
I know that the well-known Azerbaijani fighter Rafael Fiziev trains here. I haven’t met him yet, but I would really like to visit his gym. In general, there are many Azerbaijani fighters here. They live in different cities and towns and train in various gyms. When we have free time, we meet. My coach constantly maintains contact with them and provides help if needed.
You posted a photo with UFC star Tony Ferguson on social media. Tell us about the meeting.
We met at an MMA tournament held in Thailand. I noticed him among the spectators, approached him, and asked to take a photo. In the end, we managed to take a photo together and a short video.
Azerbaijani girls are rarely seen in a sport like kickboxing. Why did you choose this discipline?
I have been doing sports for 7–8 years. I started with taekwondo. Since childhood, I wanted to be involved in sports. My father raised me like a boy: I fought with neighborhood boys and played football. After his death, my life changed. I really wanted to do sports, but my mother was against it. When I was nine, I ran away from home and went to the Azerbaijan Sports Academy, asking passersby for directions. There I met a teacher and started practicing taekwondo. Later, I returned home and confessed to my mother, but secretly continued training. I practiced taekwondo for four years, but after my coach left, I switched to my current kickboxing coach, Elvin Safarov, with whom I have been training for over two years. He is an excellent coach, very demanding, and I am grateful to him for everything. Sometimes it is difficult, sometimes I get very tired, but I don’t give up and I’m glad to have such a coach.
How did your mother react to your choice?
Not only my mother, but also my brother were strongly against my training. They even forbade me from going to the gym. I would pack my bag, hide it in the kitchen, and secretly run off to training. My mother was afraid I would get injured, most of all worried about my nose, and in the end, I broke it three times (laughs). She is a seamstress and always dreamed of having a delicate daughter to sew beautiful dresses for. Now, when she sews an outfit for me, she says I’m like the female version of Van Damme.
How did you manage to convince your mother?
After my mother saw my achievements and successes, she became proud of me. I should note that my fighting gear is sewn by my mother. Also, she feels calm knowing my coach is with me. That’s why she allowed me to go to Thailand, seeing that I was making progress.
What goals have you set for yourself?
My main goal is to join ONE FC and win a championship title. I could become the first Azerbaijani athlete in this organization. I hope to achieve this goal through hard work. And of course, if I get lucky, I would also like to compete in the UFC.
Teymur Tushiyev
Idman.biz
