This year’s first event organized by Final Fight Championship revealed that there is another very interesting season ahead of us. The FFC 22 Athens spectacle exceeded all expectations and was marked by Robin van Roosmalen’s FFC debut as well as two title bouts that crowned two new champions. One of them was Pavel Zhuravlev. The Ukrainian kickboxer defeated his opponent via KO in the third round and thus took over the title that once belonged to Igor Jurkovic.
In the very beginning of the interview, Zhuravlev revealed how he saw his opponent and he told us more about his game plan.
“Brian Douwes is a fighter with character, he is physically strong and he constantly shows the desire to win. It was not easy to predict his performance. You’ve seen that he did not wait and immediately went to the attacks. We planned to win by speed and technical superiority. The final blow was not accidental. I planned it from the start, but I took me time to feel him.”
First two rounds were pretty tight. Did you feel like you needed a stoppage to win?
“My goal was to constantly increase the pressure on the opponent, that’s why the last round was the most intense. I think that I controlled the fight all the time. Douwes persistently attacked and every mistake I could lead to defeat. “
This was your fourth FFC match. You had your FFC debut at FFC 3 and now you won the belt. What were the most significant changes between your first and latest FFC match?
“I constantly try to improve. A lot of time passed between FFC 3 and FFC 22 events and it would be sad if I had not improved. I invested a lot of work in myself and now I am much better and stronger than before. This belt is the proof!”
What does this belt mean to you and what is your opinion on the growth of FFC on the world stage?
“It’s a great thing that the FFC is expanding. It should be the goal for every organization. This title is my invitation for the FFC events on American soil. We’ll see what division I’ll fight in and how often.”
What FFC fighters pose the biggest t threat to you?
“Every one of them is dangerous because they intend to win, and my goal is to prevent that. High quality fighters on the roster make the fans and promoters more satisfied. “
The same event was marked Robin van Roosmalens’ MMA debut. How did you see his performance and what do you think about more and more kickboxers opting for MMA?
“I watched his match and I congratulate him on his victory. It seemed to me that in the first round he had some problems, so that his victory was even sweeter in the end. I know that a lot of kickboxers like to wrestle, and there is no reason why they should not try MMA. I am not one of them and I plan to stick to this sport.”
In 2013, you fought eight times, while in the last two years had only six matches. Why have you “slowed down”, do you plan to fight more frequently in 2016?
“Everything depends on the good offers that arrive at my address. It seems to me that since K-1 disappeared, a lot of other promotion reduced their activity. But if we look at the last year’s events, we can conclude that the kickboxing scene is to rise again.”
Gokhan Saki, Benjamin Adegbuyi, Ismael Londt and Catalin Morosanu are only some among the big fighters you defeated. Which match do you especially cherish?
“I cannot say. Every fight belongs to a certain period of my life. The victory is just the end of a process and beginning of a new chapter leading to a new level.”
You did 13 boxing matches, and the last one took place in 2012. Why did you quit boxing and will we see you boxing again?
„When it comes to boxing, I reached a point in which promotions tried to forbid me to fight in kickboxing matches. I could not agree to that and I chose kickboxing.“
Who is Pavel Zhuravlev outside of the ring?
“When not in the ring I try to spend time with my family. A year ago I stopped working in the army and now I have enough time for training and private life. I have a 5-year-old daughter and I often go to swimming pools with my family, we ride bikes and we try to spend more time in the nature.”
This Ukrainian fighter did his 68. professional kickboxing match in Athens and his future plans include King of Kings and more FFC bouts.