Eight countries attend mixed martial arts World Cup Finals in Baku
By Nazrin Gadimova
Athletes from eight countries participated in the mixed martial arts (MMA) World Cup Finals, which was held in Baku-based Olympic Center "Sarhadchi" on December 14.
Along with Azerbaijan, the World Cup brought together universal fighters from Spain, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Romania, Tajikistan, Russia and Belarus.
Russia claimed the World Cup crown. Kazakhstan ranked second, and the third place went to Azerbaijan.
Russia's Alibeg Rasulov, Gamzat Khiramagomedov and Magomed Ankalayev, Kazakstan's Rashid Dagayev and Azerbaijan's Zaur Hajibabayev became the champions of the finals.
Honored President of the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) Vadim Finkelstein, President of the WMMAA, world renowned athlete, four-time world champion in the heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, President of the Federation of Jiu-Jitsus and Kazakhstan's MMA Anatoly Kim and others attended the event.
Azerbaijan was represented by Honored President of Azerbaijan MMA League Rovshan Gasanov and the League's President Kanan Mammadov, who thanked guests for accepting the invitation to attend the Cup Finals.
Vadim Finkelstein said he was pleased with the event and completely satisfied that Azerbaijan was chosen above other candidates to host the World Cup Finals. He also thanked Azerbaijani people for their sincere hospitality.
"We are very happy to visit Azerbaijan and wish to express our gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality," he said.
Moreover, Finkelstein opened up about WMMAA's plans on Azerbaijan, saying Baku is now officially set to host European MMA Championship under the WMMAA banner.
Fedor Emelianenko also shared impressions on his visit to Azerbaijan.
"I am in Baku for the first time, and I would like to express my admiration for the beauty of the city and the kindness of people," Emelianenko said. "Holding the World Cup in Baku MMA is a very important sporting event. Much attention is paid to the development of sport in Azerbaijan. I wish Azerbaijanis fall in love with MMA along with other sports."
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