In June of this yr the UFC held UFC on ABC: Hill vs. Rountree Jr in Baku, Azerbaijan. Legendary MMA coach Ray Longo was in attendance on the occasion. Ray Longo has coached a number of UFC athletes through the years. Together with 4 UFC champions : Matt Serra , Chris Weidman, Aljamain Sterling and most lately Merab Dvalishvili. Teaching his Fighter Nazim Sadykhov in Baku, Azerbaijan who would go on to win an epic battle against Nikolas Motta. The UFC would award Nazim Sadykhov each Efficiency of the night time in addition to Battle of the Night time awards. Ray Longo throughout a podcast look reveled different circumstances that surrounded a seemingly regular UFC Battle Night time card.
“I Simply wish to see my children once more” Ray Longo Reveals Scary Expertise coming residence
Whereas making his commonly scheduled look on “The Ray Longo Minute” phase of the Anik & Florian Podcast, Ray had fairly a narrative to inform. He started by recounting how, earlier than even arriving in Baku, he witnessed a attainable terrorist gasoline assault on the Naples airport.
“I’m listening to fucking screaming—‘Run, everyone out!’ Individuals had been flying and stomping on one another to get out,” he stated. As soon as exterior, Ray famous that nobody actually had solutions, however somebody advised him, “Somebody should’ve sprayed one thing within the air conditioner—it smelled funky.”
Individuals had trampled over each other to flee. Ray additionally talked about how household and buddies had been texting him, praying for him, and asking, “What the fuck is unsuitable with you?” The shock was seen on the faces of Kenny Florian and Jon Anik as he spoke.
Ray then described the fantastic thing about Baku and its folks. Whereas at dinner the night time earlier than the combat, a UFC worker contacted him, saying, “It’s a degree two—they’re altering everybody’s flights. They need folks out of right here fast.”
After the combat, Ray couldn’t sleep because of the pleasure of his fighter’s win. About half-hour later, he picked up his telephone and noticed a information alert: Tump had simply bombed Iran.
“That is bullshit, man. This man couldn’t wait two fucking weeks!” Longo exclaimed. The UFC started altering everybody’s flights once more.
With tensions rising, Ray left for Istanbul instantly. Whereas ready within the enterprise class lounge on the Istanbul airport, he bumped into former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jamahal Hill, who had fought in the primary occasion the night time earlier than.
Hill advised him he’d left baggage in his room as a result of they advised him he needed to get out quick. The 2 spent the following 8 to 12 hours within the terminal, speaking and passing time.
“I simply wish to see my children once more,” Ray recalled considering.
Recounting the story from an Italian lodge room through Zoom, Longo’s expertise left listeners surprised.
Regardless of the whole lot, Ray made some extent to focus on the kindness and great thing about the Azerbaijani folks, even within the midst of a terrifying expertise. The MMA group can breathe somewhat simpler understanding that one of many sport’s nice coaches made it residence secure.
