Turpal Khamzayev : Amateurs wouldn’t fight me, no choice but to turn pro
When Turpal Khamzayev walks out of the Maverick MMA heptagon this Saturday night he plans to have in his possession a perfect 1-0 professional mixed martial arts record. The 20-year old K–Dojo Warrior Tribe fighter amassed a 5-3 record an amateur and will be making the leap to the pro division at Maverick MMA 7 on May 12.
Khamzayez is not new to the Maverick MMA promotion as he fought for and won a title there when he defeated Kevin Gocklin by first round submission at Maverick MMA 4. After eight opponents were named and each and every fight fell through for one reason or another, Khamzayez, tells MyMMANews that he had no other choice than to switch from amateur to pro to get a fight booked.
The man standing on the opposite side of the cage will be Mike Walters who recorded 18 fights as an amateur, going 11-7. He too is making his professional debut. The fight is at 140 pounds which Khamzayev believes is because his opponent will have a hard time making weight since the fight came to fruition on two weeks notice.
“For me it’s not a problem to cut the weight but for him I guess because he has fights at 145, he has fights at 155, and even 170. I guess it’s good for him, but for me it’s no different. I can make the weight, 135, 140, 145, whatever.”
When it comes to his opponent’s skill set, Khamzayez seems areas he can exploit.
“I seen him shoot takedowns and then lay on his back which is probably a bad idea in this fight because it is a pro and elbows and what not, everything is legal from the top. I don’t think he’s gonna do that. He’s a grappler. I guess he likes to fight off his back. He’s a submission guy but I’m also a submission guy so I’m not afraid of that.”
When asked to make a prediction about the pending fight Khamzayez said, “Only thing I gotta say it ‘Tune in guys. It’s gonne be fireworks.'”
Maverick MMA 7 goes down this Saturday, May 12 at the Econo Lodge in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
LISTEN TO TURPAL KHAMZAYEV BELOW:
