Shamil Abdurakhimov, nicknamed "Abrek", by the summer of 2018 confidently occupied the fourteenth position in the UFC heavyweight rating. With a height of 191 cm, the fighter has an arm span of 193 cm. Not everyone can resist such a giant. Shamil began to practice mixed martial arts about ten years ago. There have been great victories and temporary setbacks in his career.
From the biography of Shamil Gentovich Abdurakhimov
The future mixed martial arts fighter was born in Makhachkala on September 2, 1981. Abdurakhimov is an Avar by nationality. He began his sports career with wushu-sanda wrestling. In this kind of single combats, Shamil achieved significant success: he won five full-fledged victories and five times became the champion of the country.
Shamil began to practice mixed martial arts in 2008. The first fight was a fight with Vladimir Kuchenko, where the Dagestan fighter won. In just six subsequent years, Abdurakhimov won twelve victories, and he won once by knockout. Shamil lost only one fight.
In 2011, Abdurakhimov received the title of absolute champion in a tournament held in Abu Dhabi.
In the glory
After that, world fame began to come to Shamil. He became famous. In the same year, a serious tournament was held in the UAE, in which the strongest world-class fighters took part. Abdurakhimov played for the Peresvet (Rostov) team and won three matches. He left no chance of victory for Jeff Monson, Remy Terry Sokoj. And in the final fight he defeated the Brazilian athlete Marcos Oliveiro.
Having won the prestigious Millionaires tournament in Abu Dhabi, Shamil subsequently lost to Tony Lopez, unexpectedly for everyone. But he soon regained his prestige, showing great skill in a fight with the German Jerry Otto.
In the fall of 2013, Abdurakhimov defeated Neil Grove: the decision of the judges was unanimous. This victory was followed by success in a duel with Kenny Garner.
In April 2015, Shamil made his debut fight in the UFC. He faced Timothy Johnson and lost in the first round. After that, there were both victories and failures in Abdurakhimov's career.
Shamil Abdurakhimov about his career and training
Russian heavyweight champion Abdurakhimov carefully studies the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents in preparation for each next fight. He always knows what the opponent's signature blow is, which hand is stronger. Shamil sees his task in a duel in moving and hitting more: only such active tactics can lead to a guaranteed victory. Each fight gives Shamil the opportunity to be creative.
During the training process, Abdurakhimov focuses on functional, speed and strength training. At the same time, he always tries to proceed from the expectation that he will have to fight in five rounds.
The fighter highly appreciated the practice in the United States of training athletes in the cryo-sauna. After immersion in the cold, a person begins a healthy and deep sleep, and the recovery process after competitive and training loads becomes better and faster.
A busy schedule and intense training work of preparation leave almost no time for his personal life, which the fighter, moreover, does not seek to disclose to journalists.
