UFC Fighter Armen Petrosyan Defends Armenian Pride Against Shara Bullet’s Criticism Ahead of October 26 Fight

UFC fighter Armen Petrosyan responded to claims from his opponent, Sharabutdin Magomedov.

Earlier, a Russian, known as Shara Bullet, was upset because Petrosyan is in Russia and represents Armenia.

“They told me in a short time that he doesn’t understand why I don’t raise the Russian flag. If needed, I can answer – especially for Shara. I think his attention should be focused a little on something else. I will not raise the flag. I can raise any flag – even Antarctica. He should not focus on the flag, but on how to beat him, how he must protect himself.

I didn’t understand the complaint, to be honest. I think it’s like she wasn’t there… somehow that doesn’t make it look good, it seems to me. I am Armenian, it seems to me that this is already clear. Yes, I am Russian, I grew up in Russia – I have always said this and I will continue to say this. I love Russia, but I also love Armenia. This is my country too. I am half Armenian and half Russian. My mother is Russian, many people know about this. I have many Russian friends, I have spoken Russian all my life. But at the same time, this was my dream from childhood … when I was little, my father and I always watched Gegard Mousasi’s fights, and this always inspired me. I wanted to raise this flag in the big field. I don’t know why, but he is Armenian. Maybe the blood is still boiling inside me. Armenia is a small country, and not many people know it. I want to inspire people: I am an ordinary person and they are the same – ordinary people who can achieve any height they want.

You know, I’m not one of those people who try to get something out of someone. I’m not a hypocrite, I’m as honest as possible with myself. I raise the flag only because I am Armenian, my father is Armenian and I want to do it. The Armenians are not helping me at all, there is no help at all. I can’t say if it’s good or bad. That’s not why I do it. I said in a recent interview: I’m doing this only for me and my family,” Petrosyan said in a conversation with Sport24 journalist Yaroslav Stepanov.

The fight between Shara Bullet and Armen Petrosyan will take place at the UFC tournament on Saturday, October 26.