Scott Askham before the fight with Muradov in Brno: I was afraid Mach wouldn’t come in. I’ve faced tougher opponents, I want the title

On Saturday we will see the OKTAGON 61 gala evening in the Winning Group Arena in Brno. One of the biggest draws will be two UFC veterans and big stars Scott Askham and Makh Muradov. The English fighter revealed in a pre-fight interview with Ruik that he was worried about whether his opponent would step up.

• Scott Askham was the 12th best middleweight fighter in the world a few years ago
• Now he’s got another tough fight ahead of him, challenging Makh Muradov
• In an interview with Ruik, he said he’s had tougher opponents and he wants to go for the title

Scott Askham is now 36 years old, boasting a record of 20-6. He tried the UFC, where he had six fights (2-4). He fought in KSW, defeated the legendary Mamed Khalidov, whom he also lost to twice, he has also scalps of Michal Materla and Luke Barnatt, as well as Karlos Vemola lost to Jack Hermansson.

Back in January 2020, he was the 12th best middleweight fighter in the world according to Fight Matrix. He is now ranked 58th. Thanks also to the Octagon, under whose banner he scored an important win last year after two defeats to Khalidov.

Askham defeated Marc Doussis in Manchester in November. It was his first win since 2019. It should be mentioned, however, that he had a long layoff in that period, not appearing in the cage at all for three years between the two duels with Khalidov.

That made it all the more important for him to get the win over Doussis. “MMA is a sport where there is a very thin line between success and failure. Fortunately, I have more wins than losses. My head is stronger now than ever. I’m going for another win. I feel great. Everything is the way it should be,” he told Ruik.

Askham wants to go for the title

Scott Askham was supposed to fight Kerim Engizek in February. It could and should have been a huge challenge for Engizek. Among other things, because the English fighter’s style would probably not suit him at all. However, the Turkish fighter pulled out of the fight. Even though Kerim hasn’t fought since last November, he will face Patrik Kinzel for the title in Frankfurt in October.

“It’s a strange situation. I don’t know how the whole thing was arranged. Whoever wins that fight, I’ll be waiting for them,” said the English veteran. But to get a title shot himself, he has to take on Mach Muradov at OKTAGON 61 in Brno on Saturday.

“We’ve already had a conversation about a title shot with my manager. Being champion is my goal. But it will all depend on Oktagon, who will have the main say when I win in Brno,” the seasoned fighter has no doubt about himself.

“It doesn’t matter who is standing in front of me. I’ll focus on one thing. Winning,” he is clear. And that Muradov didn’t do badly at all in the UFC, winning four fights and earning two performance of the night bonuses? “Honestly, it’s not something I’m looking at. I think we both left a good mark there and put on good performances,” he says.

The Englishman was concerned that Muradov would not come on

Makh Muradov has had seven fights in the UFC, only more have not gone at all. Most often because the Uzbek with the Czech heart withdrew. Scott Askham was also understandably afraid that he would withdraw now.

“It was one of my fears. Moreover, it was compounded after the media coverage of the past week. However, if he does step in, none of that will matter,” expressed the Englishman, who has noticed reports that Muradov has to leave the country.

However, he has a good opinion of the qualities: “He’s a good opponent for me, but I feel I’ve faced tougher opponents. Still, I don’t underestimate anyone. At this level, every fight is already difficult. That’s what keeps me going.”

And how did the fight even get arranged? “When my fight with Engizek fell through, my manager offered me Muradov afterwards. As always, I accepted the fight. I never turn down any opponent,” reports the 36-year-old slugger.

But back to the fight. Askham has no doubts about himself whatsoever. “I had a camp in the UK with some solid training partners. Everything went as it should. And the fight ends with the referee raising his hand over my head after the fight. If it ends before the limit, only good. If I win on points, I’ll be fine with that too,” he let it be known.

“I feel I’m in phenomenal shape. Physically and mentally. I’m going to make a statement. I’m going to make his fans my fans. I don’t need any other motivation. The pressure is on him. That he’ll be driven by Brno? I fought Khalidov in Poland in front of 50,000 of his fans. Let’s do it,” the seasoned veteran concluded the interview.

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