Former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko responded to a question about whether he expects Islam Makhachev and other Russian fighters to wear the tricolor at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi after the world’s strongest league lifted a ban on flying national flags in the octagon.
“If you took the flag, then you have to be responsible for it,” “Storm” said in an interview with the channel “Ushataika”. “It’s a big responsibility, really. If someone tries to stomp it into the dirt, or do something, you have to respond to the person the same way.”
“So whether to come out with a flag or not is a personal matter for everyone. They are not national teams, they are not the Russian national team. That is, they perform for themselves. I went out with the flag – I am pleased that I am a citizen of Russia, I am pleased that I am a Russian man, I am pleased to go out with the flag of Russia, especially for principled fights. If it is pleasant for them, then I am pleased for them. If not, it’s their choice
UFC 294 will take place on October 21 in Abu Dhabi, and the main event will be a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski. Also taking part in the event will be Russian fighters Magomed Ankalaev, Ikram Aliskerov, Said Nurmagomedov, Viktoria Dudakova and Sharabutdin Magomedov.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/32872-shlemenko-ne-zhdet-ot-makhacheva-vykhoda-s-rossijskim-flagom.html?rand=19907
