Bellator's Shahbulat Shamhalaev Talks Transition to US MMA Scene
Posted by Jeffrey Harris on 09.20.2012
The Russian import looks forward to his Bellator debut...
MMAjunkie spoke with new russian Bellator Fighter, Shahbulat Shamhalaev (9-1-1, MMA) who makes his Bellator Fighting Championships debut against Cody Bollinger (13-2-1, MMA) at Bellator 76:
Why he got started in MMA: "You have to show you're stronger than someone else. I think that's one reason I started doing MMA, to earn that respect."
On his background influencing his fighting style: "I think it's probably why I try to be an aggressive fighter. It has built me into (the fighter) I am now."
On his hometown of Makhachkala in the republic of Dagestan, Russia: "It is a very beautiful place to visit."
On adjusting to the open and friendly people on the streets of the US compared to Russa: "I thought they wanted something from me."
The difference in training camps in the US for Team BombSquad compared to Russa and his Bellator debut: "Usually in Russia you have one coach. Here, there is everything...This is the greatest opportunity of my life," he said. "This is my life, and I want to be great at it."
