Khabib criticized for not paying attention to Russian fighters, this is the answer from UFC officials

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) initiative to hold a battle in Saint Petersburg, Russia, received sharp criticism from Khabib Nurmagomedov. The fighter nicknamed The Eagle was disappointed because the promotion of the UFC in Saint Petersburg was less intense.

PHOTO FROM: John Locher / AP

"I think the UFC should have a different policy. "The UFC must pay attention to our fighters (athletes from Russia)," Khabib Nurmagomedov said, quoting MMA Junkie on Monday (4/22/2019).
UFC Senior Vice President, David Shaw, immediately denied the criticism. According to him, the UFC has made enough efforts to promote Russian fighters. One of them is to open an office in Moscow.

Shaw added, the UFC tried hard to give an opportunity not only to warriors from Russia but also to Commonwealth countries and former Soviet Union fractions. This can be proven from the existence of 11-12 fighters from Russia at the event in Saint Petersburg.

"I am a little disagreeing with Khabib. When viewed, we opened an office in Moscow 10 months ago. We even held an event which was attended by 23 thousand people in Moscow and now in Saint Petersburg around 15 thousand people, "said David Shaw.

"During that time we also gave opportunities to Russian fighters. Today there is at least one fighter from each match. "Of the 22 fighters, 11-12 of them came from Russia or the former Soviet Union fractions," he concluded. { SOURCE }