In Russia, the UFC is primarily associated with Khabib Nurmagomedov. Many sincerely consider Orel the first Russian champion of the organization. However, long before Khabib, Oleg Taktarov won the belt.

Russian Medved was one of those mixed martial artists who helped the organization gain popularity in North America with outstanding performances in the early days of the UFC. During his short but bright career in the promotion, the athlete has acquired an army of fans and a title.

For almost 20 years, the fighter has not taken part in UFC events in any status. But everything can change in the near future. The athlete himself announced a return to the organization.

Took the title in the third fight of the day

Russian fighter Oleg Taktarov, nicknamed the Russian Bear, found himself in the UFC in the early years of the organization, when the promotion was more like the Wild West than the sport. There were practically no rules as such, only a small list of prohibited strikes. It was even allowed to hit in the groin, as well as perform other techniques that today cannot be seen in any form of martial arts.

The situation for the athletes was complicated by the need to hold several fights in one evening. Only in this way it was possible to get to the championship title. The duration of the fights also went off the rails. By the time Taktarov appeared there, the fighters had to spend 30 minutes in the octagon without breaks if they failed to finish the fight ahead of schedule. In such conditions, it was extremely difficult to take the belt.

The debut of the Russian in the promotion took place at the UFC 5 tournament. There he dropped out at the semi-final stage, losing to the legendary Dan Severn. The American inflicted several serious cuts on Oleg with hard knees in the stalls. Taktarov was one step away from success, but the judge was forced to stop the fight because of the abundance of blood in our fighter and count his defeat by technical knockout.

– I was close, as it seemed to me, to a painful arm, but the referee then stopped the fight, apparently, correctly. I had cuts, I had blood in my eye sockets, it was probably a terrible sight, ”Taktarov recalled in an interview.

Dan Severn and Oleg Taktarov / Photo: © EVAN HURD PHOTOGRAPHY / Contributor / Sygma / Gettyimages.com

But already in the next UFC 6 tournament, Oleg achieved success. He defeated three fighters on the way to the championship title in one evening. In the final bout, he was opposed by David Tank Abbott, who was much larger than our athlete. The fight turned out to be very tough. Oleg eloquently described the feelings of this confrontation.

— I came out exhausted. Two battles have already passed. Tired emotionally and physically. Well, some kind of monster is standing against you, standing and standing. It all started everyday. I knew what to do. Movement, reaction, Abbott somehow hit me, hit me. I realized that he was going to kill me too. I got hooked on the process. And then it’s just a habit, a habit to win, to reach the end, and that’s it. He knew that he would die first. I think he perfectly understood that it was useless to do something with me, and morally broke because of this by the 18th minute, ”Taktarov told about the course of the fight in an interview.

As a result, the duel, which lasted almost 18 minutes without pauses, Russian Medved finished with a rear naked choke, winning the coveted title.

Oleg Taktarov / Photo: © RIA Novosti/Ilya Pitalev

Photo: Taktarov with UFC title

“The first Russian champion – Oleg Taktarov”

There are many photographs and videos in which the Russian holds a championship belt with the inscription Ultimate Fighting Championship in his hands. But after Khabib Nurmagomedov won the title, heated discussions unfolded on the Internet about who really became the first Russian champion.

The main argument of Khabib’s supporters was the fight, which took place within the same UFC 6, between Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn, in which the title of super champion was played out. But in numerous disputes, Art Dave, one of the founders of the promotion, put an end to it, who unequivocally called Taktarov the first champion from Russia.

Unfortunately, Taktarov’s career in the organization did not last long. Soon he left the promotion for the sake of studying acting and filming in films.

Oleg Taktarov / Photo: © Sean Gallup / Stringer / Getty Images Entertainment / Gettyimages.ru

long awaited return

The Russian has not been present at UFC tournaments for almost two decades. But recently, Taktarov in his social networks announced a return to the promotion, now, however, in a new status. In a video message recorded for subscribers, he said that at the UFC Fight Night 207 tournament, which will be held on June 4 in Las Vegas, he will be a second for the Russian fighter Rinat Fakhretdinov.

– I’ll be short. On June 4, I plan to be at the UFC with Rinat in the corner, ”Oleg spoke about his immediate plans.

At the same time, the fighter in the description of the video noticed that he had not been to the promotion battles for a very long time.

— UFC… Haven’t been since 2003. America? Seems like a year and a half. Gotta move! — wrote in social networks the legendary athlete.

Fakhretdinov also confirmed the statement of the legendary athlete. On his social media, he posted a story with the caption:

Yes, guys, it’s true.

Taktarov plans to help Rinat win his debut fight in a new promotion for a fighter, as well as give his career an impetus for faster advancement in the UFC due to his media promotion. Perhaps, thanks to the help of the legendary athlete, another champion will appear in Russia.

• Taktarov refused to comment on Khabib’s joke about Conor with a reference to the beating on the subway