In the "Olympic" was colorful.

If you consider the popularity of a sports organization in terms of the number of people wearing clothes with their symbols, the UFC will definitely be in first place. In any case, in the Moscow metro, sleeping areas of the capital and the Caucasus. And in Russia in general. It is logical that there were many people in the "Olympic". Really a lot. The stands of the sports complex are designed for 35 thousand spectators. On Saturday night they were almost half closed, but there were seats in the pit. There are no exact figures yet, but it seems that at least 20 thousand people have accumulated. And then all 25. People in the aisles stood (and very many - just crowds)! From the category of boxing / MMA, so many people in Russia collected only Fedor Emelianenko vs Jeff Monson in 2011 and Alexander Povetkin vs Wladimir Klitschko in 2013.

It was not a number show, but Fight Night, but the composition of the card claims should not be - only in two battles did not participate a Russian citizen (but they were Georg Merab Dvalishvili and Nikita Krylov from Donbass). Probably, it would be correct that the tournament was headed by a duel of the Muscovite - Alexander Volkov. But he was given a fight against Derrick Lewis at UFC 229, and this is very cool - the October show in Las Vegas will watch the whole world, because Habib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor will fight there.

McGregor's Belt

At the "Olympic" organized a fan zone, which closed at 17.30 - 15 minutes before the start of the preliminary battles. There you could take an autograph from Volkov (he will fly to the US next week) and, of course, check the force of the blow. Sold a lot of paraphernalia - for the Moscow tournament prepared a special series. The prices were American. For example, the program cost 1500 rubles, and gloves for MMA - 6 thousand.

"Are they fighting in them?" - asked the boy, dressed as if he had just left the gym. I did not buy, I said: "I have original ACB!".

Not far from the fan zone set the big letters - U, F, C. To be photographed near them. Of course, for free. But in Moscow there was a bonus - it was possible to be photographed not just against the background of letters, but also with the "champion belt" of the UFC. But already for 200 rubles. I was in New York at UFC 223, and there was no such attraction!

"You will not have that chance again!" The original UFC belt! 200 rubles! Cried the Caucasian, who was collecting money.

Then he added:

- You can also translate online! (And dictated the card number.).

I asked whose belt. The young man answered confidently: "The former UFC champion. From Europe. I can not tell the name. "

In the UFC champions from Europe there were five. Habib is acting, so we cross it off, does not fit. Remain Belarusian Andrei Orlovsky, Dutch woman Germein de Randami, Polish Joanne Jedzeychik. And the Irishman Macgregor.

It turns out that it could be MacGregor's belt. Do you believe that? I do not think so.

"Champion belt" was very popular. The show has already begun, and with him all were photographed and photographed.

- Come quickly, not alone here! - Menacingly said the man to the Asian girl, whom the belt fell very sickly. I gave it away at once.

Clearly, it was not a UFC action, but a self-propelled gun. The police, however, decided not to interfere with the unauthorized trade in services.

Zombie

Korean Jin Soo Soong went to fight with Peter Ian under the famous song Zombie. Irish group Cranberries, Korean ... Somehow it does not fit, will you agree? It turned out that quite. It was the most brilliant match of the evening. Sleep missed a lot of blows. Fell a couple of times. But after every missed, he smiled and showed me, let's continue. People can not stand this! Just like a zombie! One "Korean zombie" is already there - a UFC fighter Chang Chang Song. In the "Olympic" was the "Korean zombie" number two. "Petya, Petya!" - the Siberians supported even better than Taisumova. Koreans, he still did not fall down, but won on points, and then tied himself in the Russian flag.

Hymn of the USSR

Belarusian Andrei Orlovsky is a man who can be called the legend of the MMA. In his first battle, he lost to Vyacheslav Datsik (if you do not know who it is, google - it will be both funny and sad at the same time), after a while he became the champion of the UFC (he has been in the league since 2000), led by Fedor Emelianenko, and then was severely knocked out, alternated a series of victories with a series of defeats. A few days before the battle with Shamil Abdurakhimov, he left the "Match TV" studio, because the leading, in his opinion, "pump" the Russian soldiers. It turned out scandalously. Fans in Russia at Orlovsky and the truth is not very much. It just so happened. But he blew up the hall, coming out under the hymn of the USSR. In MMA it is not customary to include hymns neither before, nor after battles. But here it's an old song that does not work. In general, haypanul Andrew as needed. Abdurakhimov, however, he lost by a decision of the judges - and this is the second defeat of Orlovsky in a row.

Uncle Lyosha

"Uncle Lyosha, we are with you. Uncle Lyosha! "Shouted the 41-year-old Oleinik, who was behind the press-box. This was the 69th fight of Oleynik in MMA. The 69th! He has been performing since 1996! Oleinik, as befits a "uncle", appeared in the hall under a serious song, and not a rap of some kind - under the "Ballad of Struggle" of Vladimir Vysotsky. The wrestler from Oleinik is beautiful, and when he wrapped his neck around Hunt in the first round, it became clear that the Samoan did not break out. Of course, it would be more symbolic if Oleynik would have defeated his legendary "Ezekiel" (strangulation, lying on his back - so no one else does). But it's fine too.

"I'm sorry, but you're already a middle-aged fighter." Would you like to fight for the champion belt? Asked the presenter.

- Give a chance, you will see! Said Oleinik. The food is worth thinking about. On the one hand Blahovich comes, on the other - Oleinik ... And also John Jones threatens to defeat him for the third time.

The first UFC tournament in Russia ended. It turned out well. The stands were full, battles were bright (although not all). It seems that everyone got what they wanted. We are waiting for the next show. And for the next month - all attention to Habib and Conor. It will be fun. .