Interview with president FEA Dorin Damir

The president of the World combative association FEA about results of the EAGLES 3 tournament, Rasoul Mirzayev\’s performance in Chisinau and about ways of development of MMA in Russia and Moldova.

On November 19, 2016 in Chisinau the grandiose event in the world of the mixed martial arts – Gala tournament of EAGLES 3 in which 24 fighters from seven countries have participated has taken place. Practically all duels were spectacular, fighters have given all the best on all hundred. The champion belt in weight category to 71 kg was won by Grigory Panfily. Within the tournament have passed also two semi-finals in weight category to 77 kg. In the first duel Sergey Barbaroshe has won over Alexander Strekiye, in the second fight of Luk Poklit has overcome Vasily Botnara. The audience and TV viewers had not to miss.

„The final match lasted 25 minutes. You will seldom see such long fight in a cage even on the largest world tournaments. Very few people will sustain. I admire our fighters who have proved that they one of the strongest”, – the president of Fighting & Entertainment Association Dorin Damir has declared.

After the termination of duels of a tournament we interview him.

How you estimate results of the EAGLES III tournament? Are happy with carrying out, the organization?

– In general im satisfied , there were many fights of good level, a little from them can call even very good. Semifinal fights, last fight for a champion title. In the organization, as usual, there are minuses which, perhaps, are imperceptible for the audience and TV viewers, but I see them. Let\’s work on minuses, to turn them into pluses and to develop further.

– What fights were pleasant most of all? You can call fight of evening?

– Notes I have only to one-two fights, remaining ten – very good level, it is competent operation of matchmaking. Eagles Elimination– new and beginning, and Eagles Fighting Championship– is already serious fighters who aim at titles. From all fights would select a little, but especially in category of 71 kg, Grigory Panfily – Andrey Barbaroshe. Both fighters with serious experience. Intense fight continued five rounds five minutes, mad intensity of emotions, for all hundred percent return – it very few people can withstand, children really worked in orchestra seats and a stand. Fight very much was pleasant, it is demonstrative for many fighters, also semifinal fights where finalists were defined were worthy. Fight for a champion title between Barbaroshe and Poklit will take place within the next EaglesFighting Championship 4 tournament which will take place in February of the next year.

– Whether the Russian audience can see a tournament entirely whether there is an opportunity to watch broadcastings on the air?

– The tournament was broadcast in the Republic of Moldova on Canal 3. The first part could be seen live, and we relay the second besides on the Moldavian Canal 3. On YouTube it is possible to look free of charge. We didn\’t sign contracts for broadcasting with the foreign TV-companies yet though offers were. I determined so: year we work and we develop, we lift the project, and then we broadcast abroad. Still ahead.

– Whether Rasoul commented somehow on the fight which it had literally in two days prior to a visit to Moldova? What his impressions of Chisinau what it managed to see?

– Rasoul yielded to the Georgian fighter the decision of judges. I don\’t undertake to comment on fight and the decision of judges, but the athlete proved very courageously. And after fight told: „Who doesn\’t lose, that doesn\’t return, and I will surely return, it is only necessary to make correction of mistakes”. As for his impressions of Moldova, about this, it is better to ask him.

– How, in your opinion, Eagles in Moldova will develop? And if to compare to kickboxing? Share the plans for the next tournament, for the next year?

– We held three tournaments. It isn\’t enough to understand minuses and pluses. 4 tournaments are planned for the next year. Eagles 4, 5, 6, 7, will be many fighters, there will take place title fights will determine new champions in-62,-66,-77 kg, and it is a lot more interesting.

– We speak only about events in Moldova or we are waited also by other countries? The same question concerns also KOK.

If to compare with ours the indicative KOK project (fights in a rack) I assume that Eagles will make the same success in the fast future. It is excellent chance for fighters who aren\’t known yet, it is new promotion for new faces.

Earlier the Eurosport channel was the prestige indicator for projects. If your show was staged in live, you are cool if relay – didn\’t grow yet, it is necessary to work.

Now not so, Eurosport not that, other owners, other team. The policy is in to show less single combats, and the increasing projects passed to other TV – channels.

KOK has already taken place as the world project, the 42nd tournament will take place on December 10, we are shown to more than 120 countries of the world.

Together with the European partners of Bushido FC, the KOK project is carried out in Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, England, we plan the big project in Cyprus, Dubai so here everything is all right.

Eagles – the project new, passes in Chisinau. In Moldova the good platform for participation of fighters of the CIS and Europe. We with pleasure are accepted and watched by Europe, but we remain a part of the CIS so you understand.

– What your favorite fighter of MMA today?

– With nostalgia I remember the Pride project, it was the best, UFC then had still a rest. Everything comes to an end, and new projects, new idols appear. I admire still Fedor Yemelyanenko, Nogeyr Antonio\’s Brazilian Rodrigo, Anderson Silva, well I know Sergey Kharitonov, these are the former stars, but they will shine a lot more years.

If to take the last years, Conor McGregor moved heaven and earth of MMA, it is the engine, it is fashionable, shows what will be tomorrow. Surprises with behavior and style of fight and life. By the way, in his team two Moldavians so Moldova is related to its success too.

– Whom it would be desirable to invite to fight to himself in FEA if not to take into account of those fighters who are connected by contracts with UFC, Bellator, etc.?

– If to speak about the Russian fighters, this is Haritonov, we conduct also negotiations with Mirzayev and also with fighters from Brazil, Japan, the USA. In the world thousands of good but nobody not the famous fighters. Same business if we sign the contract, so will be fight, everything is good in its season.

– Who can have fight at you in the next half a year?

– With Rasoul Mirzayev there was such contract as for it there is a good rival, for the next tournament in February to invite him it won\’t turn out as he participates in other project, and here in May, maybe, so we will see it at us in a cage.

– You have competitors in Moldova? Whether you are interested in partners from Russia and the Russian market in particular?

– The competition always is, it gives an impetus to development. When there is no the competition, everything stands. However there is no strong competition, there is someone who tries to hold tournaments. With the KING OF KINGS project we took a high level, we are known around the world, we took place as the world project. We have live broadcasts on the most prestigious world channels.

Such level requires time, don\’t think that in the near future someone will be able to constitute a strong competition of FEA. We overtook the possible rivals in all respects. If to tell about neighbors that, in Hungary and Ukraine, for example, I don\’t see the interesting, growing promotion. Big beautiful projects on MMA in Russia are carried out, and in Poland there are worthy projects. And any more, perhaps, there are no competitors in the region. One case level is fighting, and another – quality of TV of the picture. To hold this show, the surroundings are necessary. Huge work is for this purpose carried out. We try to give high-quality material and we hope for successful development. However we are always ready to a cooperation, to us there come guests from Russia and other countries of Europe, consider some offers.

You asked why only in Moldova? But why no?

PRIDE passed only in Japan and it didn\’t prevent to be the best world project for that time.