He has offers on the table from the world's leading organizations, but he is only interested in staying in the UFC.
Makhmud Muradov would make a huge buck by going to a competitor, but that scenario is not on the agenda. Athletic success is worth more in the UFC than anywhere else.
Making it to the world's best league is just the beginning of a challenging mission. Staying there, and breaking into the top ten, is a whole different story that only a select few can manage.
Muradov, after a great start, was close to fighting for the top positions. Two losses in a row slowed him down, but certainly didn't stop him.
"Now I have a contract for two more fights, but I have already lost two fights, so I have to win and extend my contract. Every fight in the UFC is about the future. Barbarena has been in the UFC for nine years, he's built a name for himself. But he's also got two losses, so maybe it's going to be about who stays there. I believe it will be me," Muradov believes.
The preparation went well and the Uzbek fighter was not limited by his injured hand, which has been bothering him for the last years. The hard training in the Monster Gym in Prague was complemented by the traditional sparring in Poland. The last phase is going on in London, where the UFC tournament will take place.