On the night of December 17 in Moscow, the odious Russian fighter Vyacheslav Datsik will fight on his bare fists with Pavel Shulsky. Red-haired Tarzan is much more famous in the world of martial arts, but the favorite in this pair, according to many, is his rival, who specializes in fisticuffs.

Vyacheslav, however, has no doubts about his victory and promises to “eat” the competitor. However, the underestimation of the opponent and the desire to play in public can go sideways to him. Once Datsik also wanted to do a show, but everything ended for him no matter. The referee was confused, a recent opponent had to pump out the fighter.

Red Tarzan showed no signs of life …

Datsik did not find understanding

At the M-1 MFC – World Championship 1999 tournament, held on April 9, 1999 in St. Petersburg, mixed martial arts fans met Vyacheslav Datsik. The young fighter clearly dealt with another debutant Andrei Orlovsky, who later was able to shine in the UFC.

However, the fighting evening for Red Tarzan did not end on this positive note. He defeated the Belarusian only in the quarterfinals of the tournament. Next, Datsik was waiting for a duel with a more experienced opponent – Martin Malkhasyan. The fighter from Armenia also had to appear in the octagon for the second time in the evening. In the first fight, the basic wrestler managed to knock out the Dutchman Andre Tete in 34 seconds.

Datsik did not put off getting to know his dangerous counterpart until the meeting in the octagon. Even before the start of the fight, contrary to all prohibitions, Vyacheslav looked into the locker room to the Armenian fighter. Having learned with whom he was to fight, Red Tarzan offered the enemy to start wrestling on his hands right here and now. Having been refused, he changed the offer and called for a show in the octagon. But even in this case, the young Russian did not find understanding. The opponent was serious.

Vyacheslav Datsik / Photo: © Aleksander Polyakov / Global Look Press

Show failed

Since the fighters appeared in front of the audience for the second time, the audience greeted them with a joyful roar. Both managed to please with bright victories, and the face-to-face confrontation between the Thai boxer and the wrestler with a good wrestling base promised to be hot. In weight, none of the participants in the fight had an advantage – each showed 105 kg on the scales. In growth, 19-year-old Red Tarzan had a 5 cm superiority, but with experience in mixed martial arts, things were better with 22-year-old Malkhasyan.

Datsik, as promised, tried to make a show. It happened intentionally or by accident, but after Vyacheslav’s attempt to punch from his foot and the slope of his competitor, for a moment, Red Tarzan was riding Malkhasyan. However, he immediately collapsed onto the floor, as the enemy oriented himself in time and refused to roll the overall fighter on himself.

From a prone position, Vyacheslav tried to fight back with his feet, and then even tried to get up. But, turning his back to Malkhasyan, he allowed him to tightly grab his neck – a gross mistake actually deprived Red Tarzan of the chance to win.

Martin choked Datsik, he tried to rectify the situation, but the Thai boxer clearly lacked the experience of releasing from such grips. Vyacheslav did not have enough oxygen, he was already sprawled on his stomach, but in principle he did not want to give up. Malkhasyan could only continue strangulation, waiting for the referee to intervene. However, the judge for some reason continued to watch and, it seems, missed the moment when the fight could be ended without risking the life of one of the fighters.

Finally, the referee pulled Malkhasyan – Datsik’s limbs were convulsing, but it looked more like agony than a real attempt to get up. Then the judge for some reason began to count, although Vyacheslav’s body had already ceased to show signs of life. The arbiter was probably confused and did not fully realize what was happening.

Fortunately, the recent rival of Red Tarzan did not lose his cool head. Malkhasyan grabbed Vyacheslav by the legs, moved the referee and tried to revive the defeated competitor. Soon people from Datsik’s team appeared in the octagon, and the announcer asked: where are the doctors? But while they were looking for medical workers, the fighter had already regained consciousness. He had to leave the octagon upset – this time it was not possible to show the show.