“Martial arts help you out in life, I truly believe that.”

In his home country of Chechnya, the 29-year old Arbi Muradov is a hero. He trains the well-known Berkut BJJ Team, helps set up the infamous Berkut BJJ Tournament, which he says is going to have events abroad, and competes at that same tournament against the finest jiu jitsu athletes. What most people probably don’t know, is that his talent for BJJ was forged in a little country called Belgium.

Can you paint a picture of your background in martial arts?

My story starts with wrestling. I got to know the sport at a young age and a little while later I discovered judo. From there on out I got into Brazilian jiu jitsu, and after years of hard training I received my black belt from Brasa black belt Felipe Costa. I’ve been training BJJ now for about ten years.

Did your background in wrestling and judo influence your game?

Of course! Grappling is based on wrestling, and judo still helps my stand up game a lot. You have to try and incorporate as much as you can from different sports to improve your game.

Does wrestling at a young age, as they do in Eastern Europe, affect your character?

Yes, it really does. Where I come from, wrestling is considered a national sport. It’s obvious that a lot of people get involved in it. I was about 11 years old when I went to check out a wrestling team for the first time, look at where I am now! Wrestling does teach you a lot of important values at a young age.

How do martial arts affect your life?

Martial arts help you in life, I truly believe that. It teaches you to be sociable and what’s more, you get to meet a lot of new people. What’s important is that you learn how to have respect for people. A great fighter doesn’t go pick a fight on the streets, he knows what he is or isn’t able to do. If you really feel the need to prove yourself, enter a competition and fight the best around.

Who inspires your BJJ?

To be honest, no one. I started wrestling all by myself, and I have basically always danced to the beat of my own drum. The fact is, I cannot get a day without sports, I have to have my daily dose of jiu jitsu. The sport in itself is my inspiration.

Did BJJ exist before you started the Berkut Team in Chechnya?

No it didn’t. I mean, they did grapple a lot but it wasn’t taken as seriously. By the way, I’m the first black belt in Chechnya and the first one to make the guys over there wear gis (laughs). As you may know, BJJ is booming over there, mma was already popular, but jits keeps on growing. It’s amazing to see that the team grows and evolves alongside the sport.

How will the BJJ scene in Chechnya look like in a couple of years?

It will keep on growing, unquestionably, and that is my ultimate goals. I mean, look at where we came from. We’ve been doing this for a mere three years and my students progress daily. I already have a few purple belts and almost-brown belts in my team. I’m certain we’ll soon have a team that will be taken seriously by other competitors. We noticed the same trend in Russia; a lot of great teams with amazing athletes are starting to make a name for themselves.

How many student do you have at this point?

Around 100 students, half of which is training on a serious level. That doesn’t mean that only that 50% is competing. All of my students compete. Occasionally we will have mma guys over for a training camp, which results in more people on the mats. Those training sessions are usually no gi.

Do you prefer gi or no gi?

I rather fight with a gi on, I provides more options … (thinks about it) but I also love no gi. It’s a very difficult choice to make.

Do you have a favorite submission?

The armbar. The guys here (at Brasa Belgium) call it the ‘Arbibar’. It’s a straight arm lock from guard. I bump my opponent and when he rests his hand on the mats for balance, I claim his arm.

Do you have your own style of jiu jitsu?

I think that everybody has his own style of fighting. I like to both from guard as from top. My top game is of course more wrestling based. It’s important that you develop skills in all areas of BJJ because the attacks come from all angles. I couldn’t tell you which style is ‘my’ style. You have to be good in every position.

What was the difference between fighting Gui Mendes and Alex Cabanes?

First of all, those fights we’re two different fights all together. Mendes proved the most challenging for me. He’s such a talent and also way more technical than I am. Both Mendes and Alex are really great; their movements are slick and it’s never and easy fight with guys like that.

How do prepare for such a high level fight?

I try to train all aspects evenly well. I work on my conditioning and power, but I also get training partners in from Brazil to help me out. We roll a lot, do positional sparring, dill specific moves, you name it. Everything that could come in handy, that’s what we train.

Which moment in your BJJ career will you always remember?

When I used to go train in the early morning with Wim Deputter (First degree black belt Brasa Belgium). He made me train three times a day; it was a hard and tiresome time but I had the time of my life.

What do you think about BJJ in Belgium?

Everything I know about the sport, I’ve learned in Belgium. In my opinion, jiu jitsu is great in Belgium. I moved away about three years ago, but every time I visit the country I can see that the Belgian guys and girls really know their stuff in training and get good results in competition. People that think that Western Europeans don’t have that fighters blood in them, are mistaken. Not only in Belgium but also in the U.K. and in Scandinavia do you find amazing fighters. Poland also has a very good BJJ scene; those guys have such a strong wrestling and judo base, I think that’s why they have such a strong style of jiu jitsu.

What does the future hold for Berkut BJJ?

We are planning amazing things. We might go into the U.S.A or Europe to host events. Because Russian fighters are so good, we are planning to let them fight other international talent. That way, they can get the credit and respect they deserve.

What are your plans for 2016?

As you might know, we do not sit idly on our asses in Berkut. First on the list is the Abu Dhabi Pro, which is in about two months. We are going to train very hard and compete with our team, I think that will be my main focus for the foreseeable future.
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I wish Arbi Muradov and the Berkut BJJ Team a lot of fun in training and loads of luck at the competition!
Marco Bellusci
Blue Belt under Wim Deputter (First degree, black belt Brasa Belgium)