Status: Pride Heavyweight champion.
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 233
DOB: September 28, 1976 IN: Rubeshnoe Lugansk, Russia
Childhood Hero: “Yuri Vlasov – Olympic champion (weight-lifting).”
Hobbies/Interests: “Drawing, Reading. I try to spend a lot of my free time with my family, daughter, and wife. I like to draw if I have some time and inspiration. I like to listen to music and read books. Sometimes, in the winter, I like to swim in an ice hole.”
Nicknames: The Last Emperor, Terminator, Cyborg.
Favorite Movies: “Troy, Gladiator.”
Favorite TV Shows: “I don’t have any real favorites. I watch TV when I have time.”
Musical Tastes: “Russian pop music.”
Early Fighting Memory: “My feeling that I can win and become a champion.”
First Job: “Guard/Security in a sports club.”
First Car: “VAZ 2110.”
Favorite Meal: “Borscht (beet soup), risotto, dumplings.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “I eat it rarely, but my favorite is cream-brulee.”
Childhood Dreams: “Like all little boys have many different ones.”
Pre-Fight Feeling: “I try not to think, try to get rid of thoughts. (When the fight begins) I fight this fight as if it is my last fight. I try to use my mind to win this fight.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “When I won my titles and belts in Pride, every belt is important.”
Most Painful Moment: “In my amateur career when I was changing from dzudo (judo) & Sambo into professional mixed martial arts fighter.”
Worst Injury: “Trauma to hand right now.”
Funny Fighting Memory: “Can’t remember.”
Embarrassing Fighting Memory: “Don’t have any.”
Favorite Fighters to Watch: “Randy Couture.”
Favorite Fights: “Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ (Filipovic) vs. Antonio (Minotauro) Noguiera.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “President Putin (President of Russian Federation), all Olympic champions from the former Soviet Union.”
