"Russian Bear" Makes Successful MMA Comeback At Bodog Fight: Russia Vs. USA

Courtesy of Bodog TV Press:

For Immediate Release
December 1 , 2007

An enthusiastic crowd at the MegaSport Ice Arena in Moscow got what it came to see Friday, as Russian mixed martial arts legend Oleg Taktarov came out of retirement to win his first fight in nearly ten years.

The 38-year-old "Russian Bear," who squared off against 37-year-old John Marsh in the main event at Bodog Fight: Russia vs. USA, thrilled his comrades by using a knee bar to submit the American 33 seconds into the second round.

Marsh claimed afterwards that he suffered a shoulder injury while battling the fighter-turned-actor-turned-fighter.

"I felt great coming in and had no nerves," said Marsh.

"Then I blew out my shoulder and I was done. I was literally one-handed at that point. It surprised me, and I thought to myself, 'Uh-oh!' It was great fighting Oleg, though. He's quite the opponent."

The victory improves Taktarov's MMA record to 15-5-2, while Marsh falls to 7-7.

In other action, Maryland's James "Binky" Jones succumbed to a first-round armbar by Vladimir Zenin, Nevada's Eric "Big" Pele dropped a unanimous decision to Akhmet Sultanov, while Norwegian heavyweight Dan "The Viking" Evensen earned a hard-fought decision over a tough Konstantine Gluhov.

"This was the toughest fight of my professional career," said Evensen, who improved to 9-2.

"As a Norwegian I know how tough these Russian fighters are. They have some of the toughest athletes in the world, and I am proud to have won this fight. Gluhov was incredibly strong for his size. I outweighed him by more than 20 kilos (44 lbs), but he was just as strong as me!"

Full Results:

UNDERCARD

FIGHT #1: Alexander Kokoev vs. Sultan Tikhaev, (Middleweight) Tikhaev by rear naked choke at 4:43 of Round 2

FIGHT #2: Ivan Anikanov vs. Besiki Gerenava (Lt. Heavyweight) Gerenava by arm bar at 2:54 of Round 1

FIGHT #3: Stanislav Shushko vs. Telman Shariphov (Heavyweight) Shushko wins split decision

MAIN CARD

FIGHT #4: James Binky Jones vs. Vladimir Zenin (Lightweight) Zenin by arm bar at 4:47 of Round 1

FIGHT #5: Dan Evensen vs. Konstantine Gluhov (Heavyweight) Evensen by unanimous decision

FIGHT #6: Jessica Aguilar vs. Julia Berezekova (Women's 125lb) Cancelled due to stomach infection by Berezikova

FIGHT #7: Eric Pele vs. Akhmet Sultanov (Heavyweight) Sultanov by unanimous decision

FIGHT #8: Zulu vs. Vladimir Kuchenko (Heavyweight) Zulu by rear naked choke at 2:14 of Round 1

FIGHT #9: Diego Visotzky vs. Alexander Shlemenko (Middleweight) Shlemenko by KO at 2:11 of Round 1

FIGHT #10: Emyr Bussade vs. Andrei Semenov (Middleweight) Semenov by unanimous decision

FIGHT #11: John Marsh vs. Oleg Taktarov (Heavyweight) Taktarov by knee bar submission at 33 seconds of Round 2

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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.