By the Way, Alexander Shlemenko Fought in Russia Last Night |

(Props, as always, go to our buddies over at IronForgesIron.) 

There are two kinds of fighters in this world; those who take their sweet time in between fights, either to mend their wounds or simply because everyone is afraid to fight them, and then there are those like Alexander Shlemenko, who, after handling Vitor Vianna just a month ago at Bellator Fighting Championships 57 and earning a rematch with Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard, decided not to wait around for our puny brained American system to determine a rematch date. Instead, Alex risked life and limb to take on UFC vet Julio Paulino last night in Mother Russia under possibly the longest named promotion of all time, Far Eastern Federation of Modern Pankration, the result of which we can only spoil if you join us after the jump…

…Shlemenko won via unanimous decision. So there. Also on the card, former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez continued his world tour that last saw him get KTFO by Glover Texeira in Brazil, this time thankfully scoring a second round TKO over the 3-1 Bashir Yamilkhanov. That video is below. Enjoy.

-Danga 

Alexander Shlemenko’s Career

Alexander Shlemenko was one of the busiest fighters in MMA, often competing every few weeks between Russia and the United States. His aggressive, spinning striking style made him a fan favourite, and he became Bellator’s middleweight champion in 2012.

He defended the title several times before losing it in 2014, and he continued fighting in Russia and elsewhere for years afterwards as one of the country’s most recognisable MMA stars.