Nationality Russian Role Mixed martial artist Division Heavyweight (265 lb) Height 1.88 m | Reach 78 in (198 cm) Weight 113 kg Name Vitaly Minakov Wins by knockout 9 | |
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Team RusFighters Sport Club (USA)Fight Nights TeamGreg Jackson Rank 1st Razryad Grand Master in SamboBlack Belt in JudoMaster of Sports in Freestyle Wrestling Similar People Alexander Volkov, Cheick Kongo, Alexander Shlemenko, Rasul Mirzaev, Andrey Koreshkov | ||
Bellator mma vitaly minakov vs cheick kongo
Vitaly Viktorovich Minakov (Russian: Виталий Викторович Минаков; born February 6, 1985, Bryansk) is a Russian sambist, judoka and undefeated mixed martial artist currently competing in the heavyweight division for Bellator MMA. He is the former Bellator MMA heavyweight champion. As of August 25, 2017, he is #17 in the world rankings by Fight Matrix.
Contents
- Bellator mma vitaly minakov vs cheick kongo
- Vitaly minakov gets standing ko ed at the horn by dj linderman
- 2012 Olympics
- MMA career
- Bellator MMA
- Post Bellator
- Martial Arts
- Sambo
- Judo
- Freestyle Wrestling
- References
Vitaly minakov gets standing ko ed at the horn by dj linderman
2012 Olympics
Because Vitaly is a numerous Sambo World Champion and a Junior Russian National Champion in Judo, he considered competing at the 2012 Olympics in London. It is unknown why he didn't make the team. In his 2010 interview, he also stated that he beat Teddy Riner, a numerous World Judo Champion and an Olympic Gold Medalist in a training/sparring session in 2006.
MMA career
Minakov made his professional MMA debut in November 2010. He is a Sambo World Champion, (2008-2011).
Minakov defeated UFC and Bellator veteran Eddie Sanchez on June 7, 2012 at Fight Nights - Battle of Moscow 7. He won via KO in the first round.
Minakov defeated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion and UFC veteran Fabiano Scherner on September 17, 2012 at Fight Nights - Battle of Desne. He won via KO in the first round.
Bellator MMA
In June 2012, Minakov was signed in Bellator.
He made his debut the following fall at Bellator 79 on November 2, 2012. He defeated a Moldavian National Champion & Judo Black Belt Vladimir Starcencov via TKO in the second round to win his Bellator and North American debut.
Minakov faced Ron Sparks on June 19, 2013 in the Bellator Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. He won in the first round by technical knockout.
Minakov faced Ryan Martinez at Bellator 97 in the finals on July 31, 2013. He got the TKO victory via punches in the third round, after he took Martinez down and secured full mount.
Minakov faced and defeated Alexander Volkov on November 15, 2013 at Bellator 108 to win the Bellator Heavyweight Championship.
Minakov faced Bellator Season 9 Heavyweight Tournament winner Cheick Kongo at Bellator 115 on April 4. He won via unanimous decision to retain the Bellator Heavyweight Championship.
Minakov was stripped of his Bellator MMA title on May 14, 2016 due to inactivity.
Post-Bellator
After leaving Bellator MMA, Minakov returned to fight in his native Russia. He has fought six times since July 2015 and won all six of his bouts.