Salaiman Ahmadyar: A product out of Team Alpha Male looking to rise
Salaiman Ahmadyar resides in Sacramento, California and trains out of a top fight camp in Team Alpha Male. The lightweight prospect holds a 5-0 record and will look to improve to 6-0 this Saturday for KOTC: Grand Finale. He is set to take on Tyson Jeffries (14-10).
First of all, how did you get into MMA? Do you have any background in any other sports?
I got Into MMA at the age of 13. I moved from the Bay Area to Sacramento because I was getting into a lot of trouble as a young kid. My mother was afraid of me getting involved with gangs and trouble so she moved us to Sac. There I wrestled for a year but after the season was done I was still hungry for more. Then my father told me about a gym downtown. I went to go train and it was the Team Alpha Male gym. Faber saw me train and said hey kid you’re super young, stick with it and you can make it far and the rest is history.
Is MMA your full-time job or are you working somewhere else as well? If not, what did you do for work before MMA?
Thankfully I’m a sponsored athlete at Team Alpha Male since I’ve been there my whole life. So my training are covered. But for bills, it’s just hustling hard. Weekends I’ve driven out to San Francisco worked liked 18-hour shifts and slept in my car, all that lol all about embracing the struggle and the journey.
Who gave you the nickname “The Cutthroat Assassin”? What is the reasoning behind it?
The nickname “Cutthroat” is a very deep meaning. I got this huge scar on my neck after battling this crazy rare Jaw cancer when I was 21. It was six surgeries, the craziest time of my life. So the meaning of Cutthroat is all about turning a negative in your life and turning it into a positive. Keep pushing and e CUTTHROAT. So I’m literally Cutthroat lol.
Can you talk about your roots and where you came from? The info says you’re from Afghanistan but you live in California?
I was born In Berkeley, CA. Raised in Hayward and moved to Sacramento when I was 12. I consider myself from Sacramento, it’s my home. Afghanistan is where my family came from. They escaped The Soviet War in Afghanistan and came here. I have A huge Afghan following. I’m all about representing my Afghani American roots. America gave me the opportunity to pursue my passion and represent both the U.S. and Afghanistan I’m forever grateful
You’re currently training with Team Alpha Male, correct? When and why did you make the move to TAM? Also, who are some of your main training partners?
Team Alpha Male is the only place I ever trained at as a kid. I’ve been around high-level training my whole life. I’ve seen guys in the gym fight in the biggest organizations in the world. I train with all the guys in the gym, big-name UFC guys to all the hungry up comers like myself.
How is the cut to 155?
I fought 155 and the cut was good but I’m a big guy so this next fight is at 180 catchweight since it was short notice. I’m looking to fight 170 and test it out. I feel with the power and explosiveness I’m a big problem for this whole industry.
What has been your favorite memory of your MMA career so far?
My favorite memory of this journey honestly has to be the journey. I’ve been doing this for well over 10-12 years now. I feel I’ve paid my dues in life and in the cage. Just embracing the struggles and enjoying the journey
What would be your favorite striking and grappling technique?
My DOUBLE LEG. I got a legendary double leg at Team Alpha Male. It’s something I’m natural at. Ask anyone on the team about it lol.
One dream fight, who would you square off with?
A dream fight would be Conor. A big money fight, of course, were Prizefighters. I want the most entertaining fights to give the world and Conor obviously fits that.
What makes you a different fighter from everyone else?
What makes me a different Is my mentality, I’ve Got that I don’t give a fuck attitude. I’ll do what it takes to accomplish my goals and I mean anything. Also, I just feel I’m different from everyone else. My walk, my talk, my look, no ones fucking with me Shawn. Lol
Where are some locations you’d like to travel to and fight?
Honestly, I’ve been a huge fan of Japanese MMA. Tokyo just the atmosphere I hear their is incredible. Just all over the world, I want to travel fight and entertain the masses.
Explain what a normal day is like in the life of Salaiman Ahmadyar?
A normal day in my life is just training my heart out and being around good people. Use each day to inch closer to all the goals I have in my mind.
Any bad injuries you suffered in your career?
I’m built like a tank so injuries are not really common with me. My jaw Cancer was the pretty serious issue I had.
It looks like you only have one loss in your career and it was when you was an amateur. How did that loss change you as a fighter and what did you learn?
Tyson Jeffries is a 25 fight vet and I respect that but I honestly could give a fuck. When the cage door closes I just wanna rip apart my opposition, it could be the greatest fighter on the planet I still wouldn’t care. Cutthroat only cares about winning getting the money and pushing forward.
Your opponent Tyson Jeffries is a veteran of 24 fights. On paper, it looks like your toughest fight to date. What do you think about your opponent and how do you see this fight playing out?
I see this fight me knocking him out or slamming him on his head. It doesn’t matter how just destroying my opposition and winning.
Who wins. Conor McGregor or Khabib Nurmagomedov if they were to fight?
Between Conor and Khabib I like both fighters of course but I feel Khabibs style is too much. Pressure fighters I believe are the best fighters on the planet. Indestructible style.
