Sayat Abdrakhmanov from Ruby Sports & Entertainment works with a number of top fighters. Like many managers, he got into the business when he was training himself. The old saying “love your job, and you’ll never work a day in your life” seems to apply here. Roby SE has a number of high-profile fighters with bouts coming up, including Roxanne Modafferi, and the Matrix-esque Michel Pereira.
How did you get into MMA?
SA- “I started training BJJ in China when I was 19 years old. After that, I started to follow UFC and MMA as a fan. I even had a couple amateur MMA fights, but it was just my hobby.”
What got you into wanting to be a manager and how did it happen?
SA- “I never had a goal to become a manager, but I always wanted to have a job that I will be passionate about. That feeling grew stronger after I was working in the oil company for a year. I was making good money, but I didn’t enjoy my job. I made a decision to quit and move to Thailand to work in Tiger Muay Thai camp. After a few months there I realized that many fighters had problems getting fights, so I used my connections in China to help them. I started working as a middle man, but it wasn’t enough for me so I started to be involved more with some fighters and manage their careers.”
How do you go about finding new fighters to sign? Are you actively watching the regional scene, maybe even watching ammy fights?
SA- “Most of the fighters I work with I met in Tiger camp in Phuket. For me, it’s important to know a fighter’s personally or at least have a good common friend who can recommend them. I watch a lot of MMA events, even small shows in Kazakhstan, Russia, and China. I also like to roll with fighters just to check how good they are and how far they can go.”
What are some mistakes made by other managers you notice?
SA- “The biggest mistake managers make is to lie to fighters or steal their money. I was surprised with how far just being honest with fighters can get you in this industry.”
What are some ups and downs of being a manager?
SA- “We share ups and downs with our fighters. For me, I take it very personally. We win and lose together.”
Let’s say you have a young fighter get an offer against an experienced fighter in a “dangerous fight? Are you more of a slow build like Michael Page or a fast push like Aaron Pico?
SA- “I think it’s individual and depends on the fighter’s personality. Personally I like it when my fighters take risks.”
What is your opinions on fighters managing themselves? How important do you think it is for a fighter to have a manager?
SA- “There are some fighters who can manage themselves well, but it’s just an exception that proves the rule that you need a good manager to maximize what you can get out of your career. A great manager can make a huge difference to the fighters, at the end of the day fighter need to focus on fighting not on other things.”
What is some advice you have for someone looking to get into the industry as a manager or someone just now starting?
SA- “My advice is always be honest and try to do the best for your fighter. Don’t expect to rely on income from management in the first few years.”
Who is a client/prospect you have on the team that is for the most part, unknown but you thing has a high ceiling?
SA- “We have a lot of prospects, but if need to name one that is unknown at the moment I will pick Anzor Chakaev.”
What is a goal you still haven’t reached but still something you want?
SA- “One of my goals was to manage someone who will become the UFC champion and I think we are already close to reaching that.”
