Bodog Fight Returns to Russia

Courtesy of Bodog TV Press:

For Immediate Release
November 27, 2007

With the sold-out success of Bodog Fight: Clash of the Nations, a return to Russia was inevitable for Calvin Ayre's hard-hitting mixed martial arts promotion.

Following last April's incredible live event at the ICE Palace in St. Petersburg, Bodog Fight presents Bodog Fight: Russia vs. USA Friday, November 30 at the MegaSport Ice Arena in Moscow.

While Bodog Fight: Clash of the Nations marked the historic homecoming of Russian Red Devil teammates Fedor and Aleks Emelianenko, Bodog Fight Russia vs. USA features the remarkable return of legendary Russian fighter, Oleg Taktarov.

It's been nearly ten years since "The Russian Bear" last fought in competitive MMA, although the fighter-turned-actor did go five rounds with Dolph Lundgren (who played Ivan Drago in "Rocky IV") for a celebrity boxing show in Russia this past summer.

Now, the former KGB martial arts instructor, who has fought Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock, Renzo Gracie and David "Tank" Abbott among others, wants to make his MMA comeback on home soil.

The 38-year-old Taktarov (14-5-2) will fight 37-year-old John Marsh (7-6), whose biggest win came against Wesley "Cabbage" Correira in May 2004.

"I've been training with some sambo guys in New York," says Taktarov.

"I'm trying to refresh my memory and practice my old tricks with proper resistance. I feel good right now, like I did when I was in my prime. I've never taken drugs or steroids and my body is in great shape. I am looking forward to this fight and am very thankful to Bodog Fight for this opportunity."

The fight card is as follows:

FIGHT #1: Alexander Kokoev vs Sultan Tikhaev, (Middleweight)
FIGHT #2: Ivan Anikanov vs Besiki Gerenava (Light Heavyweight)
FIGHT #3: Stanislav Shushko vs Telman Shariphov (Heavyweight)
FIGHT #4: James Binky Jones vs Vladimir Zenin (Lightweight)
FIGHT #5: Dan Evensen vs Konstantine Gluhov (Heavyweight)
FIGHT #6: Jessica Aguilar vs Julia Berezekova (Women's 125lb)
FIGHT #7: Eric Pele vs Akhmet Sultanov (Heavyweight)
FIGHT #8: Zulu vs Vladimir Kuchenko (Heavyweight)
FIGHT #9: Diego Visotzky vs Alexander Shlemenko (Middleweight)
FIGHT #10: Emyr Bussade vs Andrei Semenov (Middleweight)
FIGHT #11: John Marsh vs Oleg Taktarov (Heavyweight)

Can't get enough hard-hitting MMA action?

Bodog Fight: The Vault offers up new hard-hitting webisodes every Tuesday and Saturday on Bodog TV's multi-award winning website, bodoglife.net/fight. These never-before-seen fights are commercial free, fully downloadable and iPod-ready, featuring a previously unaired bout from the Bodog Fight archives.

Still can't get enough?

Bodog Fight: The Complete First Series is now available on DVD. The four-disk set comes packed with more than ten hours of non-stop action and a ton of extra features, including fighter commentary, new behind the scenes footage and six never-before-seen fights. Plus, get a bonus limited edition CD featuring tracks from Bodog Music artists. Available now at better retailers everywhere and online at bodoglife.net/store.

About Bodog Fight

Since its inception in 2006, Bodog Fight has become one of the heavy-hitters in the world of mixed martial arts. Created by billionaire entertainment mogul and longtime MMA enthusiast, Calvin Ayre, Bodog Television's Bodog Fight series offers viewers a unique combination of action and allure from exotic locations throughout the world. Bodog Fight can be viewed online at bodoglife.net, along with other Bodog Television programs including: a poker lifestyle and reality show, Calvin Ayre Wild Card Poker, and an international million-dollar band search competition, Bodog Battle. For more information, contact Media Relations at 1-866-892-3371, or fightpr@bodoglife.net. BODOG is a registered trademark.