Magomed Abdulkadirov’s passion for combat sports ignited at a tender age, with an indomitable spirit that even his mother’s best efforts couldn’t contain. As he gears up for his highly-anticipated debut in the ONE Championship, where he will square off against Tye Ruotolo for the inaugural ONE welterweight submission grappling world title, the 32-year-old Russian fondly reminisces about a time when his love for martial arts knew no bounds.
In a recent interview with ONE Championship, Abdulkadirov shared a remarkable anecdote from his childhood. Despite being locked inside their house by his mother, he ingeniously managed to escape and pursue his training at the gym. Abdulkadirov, representing Universal Fighters, vividly recollected the episode:
“My mom still remembers the story of how, as a child, she locked me in the house while I was sleeping. I had made plans with my friends to go to a training session, and when I woke up in the afternoon, I realized I was locked in. We lived on the first floor at the time, and I decided to jump off the windowsill and go to the gym.”
This unwavering dedication and fervor for his sport have since reaped rich rewards. His mother’s initial reservations transformed into unwavering support, cementing his path in the world of martial arts. Abdulkadirov added:
“When my mother came home, she didn’t find me and was very scared. She started looking for me, calling relatives, hospitals, and the police. Such was my enthusiasm for sports! After this incident, I was never locked in at home again.”
With his family firmly in his corner, the Russian grappling sensation has amassed an impressive array of championships, including the UWW World Grappling title and the European ADCC Grappling title. His relentless pursuit of excellence continues as he gears up to face Tye Ruotolo in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 16. The event is scheduled for November 3 and will take place at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
