The Finn, who will debut in the UFC in the summer, talks about the ruthless trick of his managers.
Abdul Hussein told Ylilyönti Studio about his tortuous path to becoming a UFC fighter. Jaakko Dahlbacka
Finnish freestyle athlete Abdul Hussein tells Jaakko Dahlbackan held by Ylilyönti Studio With a YouTube videowhat happened behind the scenes before his UFC contract was secured.
Speculations about the Finn’s future in the UFC began in the spring, when Hussein was reported to be participating in The Ultimate Fighter reality TV show (Tuf), which was filmed in Las Vegas, USA.
The Tuf sky was shorter than expected, and Hussein returned to Finland practically empty-handed.
He describes that the feeling was “absolutely shit”. However, before returning home, UFC boss Dana White himself promised the Finn that he would still get to show his skills on the big stage. The encouraging speeches understandably did not completely remove the disappointment.
Returning to Finland felt heavy. Hussein was feeling empty and the future seemed uncertain with no information about potential UFC fights.
In May, Abdul Hussein fought against Aapo Rovanperä at the Ice Cage 7 night. Jussi Saarinen
Violent prank
The situation took a turn when Hussein’s Managers informed the contestant that they had leaked a free match reporter To Marcel Dorff false information that Hussein had received a UFC contract. The managers claimed that they wanted to put pressure on the matchmakers.
– I hadn’t even read their messages. I woke up in the morning and looked to see if I was there signed. I was like what the hell? Not to my knowledge, Hussein tells Dahlbacka.
The next day, the Managers put Hussein on a video call and said that the UFC’s primary matchmaker Sean Shelby would have been enraged by the trick.
– When I heard that, I went into such a state that it pissed me off so much. Why did you go to such a trick if it provoked the matchmakers?
At first, Hussein was enraged by his managers’ trick. Jaakko Dahlbacka
Then the Managers told Hussein that the PFL, a free fight organization smaller than the UFC, would like Hussein in the match. He should just sign the contract.
When the Managers showed Hussein the document, it was indeed a UFC contract.
– It read UFC Abu Dhabi and the name of my opponent. I was like what the hell, did we really make it? It was a good troll, one of the best, because I was just barking at them, Hussein laughs.
Abdul Hussein made his debut in the summer in Abu Dhabi in a UFC match. Atte Kajova
Criticism of the Finnish star
At the end of the video, Hussein says that he plans to speak on behalf of Finnish free fighters in the UFC, so that more blue and white colors can be added to the top division. He criticized the former UFC fighter Makwan Amirkhaniawhich, according to Husseini, has only undermined the level of Finnish freestyle.
– I’m going to highlight Finnish freestyle in a big way. I’m going to say that there are really tough guys here. We have more than ready guys there. I want to raise the gang, because our predecessor pushed everyone down a bit, says Hussein.
– For example, “Maku” talked a lot about the fact that no one in Finland is ready, they are complete shits and only he is ready. I don’t want to be that jerk.
Hussein mentions the Finnish contestants Omran Chaaban, Sani Brännforsin and by Omar Tugarevwho he thinks would be ready for the freestyle star series. In his opinion, it would only be a good thing if more and more Finns made it to the international top league.
– The more of us that get there, the easier it is for the next Finns to get there, Hussein sees.