today 14:00
|
Nitra MMA fighter Martin Buday (29) may become the second Slovak in the most prestigious UFC organization this year.
“I find it easier as a heavyweight because there are fewer of us. I can be one victory away, but also three. Communication has already taken place between the UFC and my representative agency. I’m in good hands, I just have to give them arguments in the cage, “ said a humble and still smiling field.
He is 195 centimeters tall and throws to the limit of 120 kilograms before matches. He doesn’t mind attention, on Instagram me it has less than 5,000 followers and no advertising.
The representative of the Trnava Spartakus Fight Team has a professional balance of 7-1 (six victories in a row since April 2018). He lost to points only with the Spaniard Juan Espin (today UFC, balance 10-1). He has been a full-time MMA for three years, having previously achieved success in the Brazilian jiu-jic.
Pre ŠPORT.sk he talked about the six-week struggle with the coronavirus, the pain of returning to training, the challenge of Carlos Vémol or the shift and ambitions in the UFC.
Bady is a covid
Thanks to your coach Attila Végh and Oktagon promoter Ondřej Novotný, the message “Bady je covid” has become popular. How long did your marathon last?
“The coronavirus held on to me like a tick. A month and a half passed from the positive finding on November 8 to the final negative result. I don’t have anyone in my area to wait that long. “
What was the course of the disease?
“I had temperatures for a week, fortunately I didn’t have to be hospitalized. I lost my sense of smell, my taste, I coughed, my lungs ached and I felt weak. “
During the six weeks of isolation, how did you fill the time otherwise devoted to two-phase training?
“I really enjoy computer games. I mainly shot Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. “
You make no secret of the fact that you are a great “eater.” This is not an ideal combination for sitting with a computer. Did you guard your weight?
“While I had a fever, I didn’t like it and I even lost weight. Then I ‘drank’ and ended up on the 135 kilograms I had before the coronavirus. The ratio of fat and muscle has just changed (laughs). “
Did you feel the consequences of the disease when returning to the training process?
“It simply came to my notice then. I felt that the lungs were not quite right. I wouldn’t be able to keep up the pace, I started gradually. Now I am approaching the form I had before the illness. My weight also dropped to 128 kilos. “
VIDEO: Martin Buday’s last match in September 2019 against Daniel Dittrich:
–
Match soon
Is your return to the cage approaching?
“I think the Octagon will announce my match soon.”
There is loud speculation about the title fight against Pole Kamil Mind (6-1) in the first half of the year. Can you confirm any of that?
“According to the agreement with the organization, I cannot tell you the name of the opponent or the date. All I can say is that I am satisfied and maybe there will be fans. “
You have been without a match for a year and a half. Aren’t you worried about the negative impact of the break?
“Not. I just have to set my head so that there will be no fans in the stands. “
Oktagon has not had a heavyweight champion since Michal Martínek left for the ACA. How did you feel when Viktor Pest replaced you as the main title challenger in November 2019?
“I was disappointed that taking the title to Martinek should be cveng. I wanted to show that I am the best heavyweight on the home scene. “
Do you still have a liking for Martínek?
“Not anymore. When he had a belt, the match made sense to me. Now my ambitions are set in a different direction. “
Read also
Vémola wants 6 matches this year and later the UFC legend: Clover feels pressure even …
I wouldn’t sit up with Carlos, I’d run into it
Some of the ambitions are directed towards the middleweight champion Carlos Vémol, who repeatedly challenges you for the heavyweight title (most recently in an interview for ŠPORT.sk)?
“I have a chance to move to the UFC and I need to beat heavy weights with a good score. For this reason, the match with Carlos is not interesting to me. He’s a good fighter, but I can’t waste time with a two divisions lighter opponent after a break. “
According to Vémol you are defending the match with the team and you realize that “the qualities of the two of you are completely different”. Are you afraid that it could slow down your career and especially your journey to the UFC?
“(Smile) Mikhail Mochnatkin, whom I was supposed to fight in December, would be a more challenging opponent. With Carlos, it would not be a walk in the orchard, but the weight, height, posture and experience on the ground are on my side. Typically, I wouldn’t fit him. It could endanger me only on the ground, but I am at home in a Brazilian jiu-jitz and I am one of the best in the Czech Republic and Slovakia (holder of the purple belt and 3x European champion).
Rather, he wants to get into Attila’s head. However, he chose the wrong target, he would run into me. And that’s not what I’m saying, but people who train with me and know my qualities on earth better than Carlos. “
There is a difference between throwing an 80-kilo Lohor and a 130-kilo Budaya. Would you fly in a duel with Vémol?
“He would probably throw me, he’s trained to perfection. However, any further attempt at takedown would take more steam from him. And Juan Espino didn’t keep me on the ground either (7 out of 11 matches winning the submission). “
Vémola is a veteran of the UFC and the 56th best middle weight in the world with an excellent balance. In the past, he also fought in heavy weight. Is the victory over him less prestigious than the scalp of not so renowned, but current representative of heavyweight?
“Carlos has a bigger reputation than me and Mochnatkin combined. However, for the promoters of the UFC or other large organizations, in my opinion, the victory over Mochnatkin or another relevant heavyweight is of greater value. “
Did the octagon promoters communicate with you about the match with Vémol?
“Not yet.”
Would you reject the offer from the table within seconds?
“I would consider the pros and cons, but at the moment I would definitely say no. Carlos shouts that I’m scared. However, I have no obligation to answer as he whistles. If the UFC doesn’t work out for me and I’ll stay home, then we can cut it out if he’s still interested. “
Vémola likes to say that fighting him will change the opponent’s life and bring them the attention of sponsors. Aren’t you attracted to the marketing aspect of the match?
„I do not deal with cooperation and advertising publicly through social networks, I have stable sponsors. I want to be famous for my performances in the cage, not the promotion on Instagram as an influencer. ”
For relief, in addition to MMA, he also challenged you to a triathlon bench, squat and deadlift. Would you trust yourself in the gym as well as in the cage?
“I’m not tea, but I admit, he would probably win in the triathlon (laughs).”
Indications suggest that you are 1-2 wins over the relevant heavyweight from the UFC. What is your ideal scenario for the coming months?
“I find it easier as a heavyweight because there are fewer of us. I can be one victory away, but also three. It is realistic that I will appear in the UFC this year. However, I can lose the next match and everything will fail. I learned not to make long-term plans and I will always focus only on the next fight. “
Since January, you have been represented by the Ruby Sports & Entertainment agency, which has more than 40 fighters in the UFC in the stable, including the first Slovak Ľudovít Klein. Is your name already in the most prestigious MMA organization?
“I have not been in contact with the UFC yet, but communication has already taken place between the organization and the agency. I’m in good hands, I just have to give them arguments in the cage (smile). “
Czech and Slovak fighters are beginning to conquer the UFC. It is not enough for them to get into the “Champions League in MMA”, they have the title ambitions. Does this also apply to you, taking into account the heavyweight competition?
“I’m not there yet, but I certainly wouldn’t just go to the UFC to take a picture in their T-shirt. The fighter must have the highest ambitions, although the title is currently too high. Like Lajoš (Klein), I want to proudly represent Slovakia and write it as prominently as possible on the MMA world map. “
Do you have heavyweight sparring partners in Spartakus Fight Gyme who will prepare you for the world’s elite in the UFC?
“Even before the MMA boom, we had perfect conditions at SFG and are still moving forward. Unfortunately, heavy weight generally suffers from deficiency. We’re not kicking 3-4 to pull. Before that, I ‘dated mainly with Attila, until he started working more as a coach. Now the boys come to help me or I’ll travel. “
Jon Jones? More than a dream come true
Stipe Miocic currently reigns heavily in the UFC. Francis Ngannou is already waiting for him in retaliation on March 27. The winner should defend Jon Jones against one of the best fighters in history. The American ruled the semi-heavyweight for almost a decade and should be the title right after his heavy debut.
“I’m a big Jon fan, we have something to look forward to. I am very curious whether it will dominate even in heavy weight, “ Buday responded and laughed at the question of a possible duel in the future: “I guess that would mean more than a dream come true, because I don’t even dream of a match with Jon Jones.”
—
