"You'll be buried." Asu Alma baev candidly shared his thoughts on fans in Kazakhstan.
"People in Kazakhstan and throughout all post-Soviet countries are such huge fans of MMA that if you win a title, you become a national hero. Everyone loves and praises you. But if you lose, you’re 'buried' in the eyes of the public. There’s no choice for us. We have to win. We must do this for our country," Almalbaev stated in an interview with the UFC press service.
https://sports.kz/news/tebya-pohoronyat-asu-almabaev-otkrovenno-vyiskazalsya-obolelschikah-vkazahstane2025-02-27 09:25:16
The fighter UFC Aso Almaev, competing in the flyweight division, shared the significance of mixed martial arts for fans in his home country of Kazakhstan, according to Sports.kz.
— People in Kazakhstan and throughout all post-Soviet countries are such huge MMA fans that if you win a title, you become a national hero. Everyone loves and praises you. But if you lose — you'll be "buried." We have no choice. We must win. We have to do it for our country, — Almaev admitted in an interview with the UFC press service.
On the morning of March 2, Aso Almaev will fight in the main event of UFC Vegas 103 in Las Vegas. His opponent will be Manel Kape, a native of Angola residing in Portugal.