Bellator's Russian talent rivals some of the best in the UFC

[krelianx]

I think most people underestimate how much talent there is in Russia and Eastern Europe. In the UFC obviously some of the most menacing prospects, contenders, and champions, are from the region: Evloev, Umar, Islam, Shavkat, Khamzat, Ankalaev...

But currently Bellator has been very good in signing some extremely talented talent from the region, some of which I think rivals the best the UFC has to offer in the respective divisions.

At LHW, Nemkov is really excellent, and I would personally pick him over both Pereira and Ankalaev (who I think is probably the best LHW right now).

At LW they have Usman Nurmagumedov, who is 17-0. And as a contender, Shabily is an incredible match up. Rabadanov is a serious fighter, though I don't know if him competing in PFL means he's gone from Bellator. Same with Khizriev.

At WW they have Ramazan Kuramagumedov, who is 13-0 and just won over Jackson the title. And of course Amosov.

At MW, Musaev...

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Amosov would probably be quite upset to be called Russian lol.

 

[Hotora86]

Amosov would probably be quite upset to be called Russian lol.

Some Dags would even be too.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Anyway imo the best Russians outside the UFC per division.

HW - Anatoly Malykhin
LHW - Nemkov if he ever wants to cut again, Muslim Magomedov if he doesn't.
MW - Vladimir Mineev when he occasionally fights. Magomedrasul Gasanov if he doesn't
WW - Shamil Musaev
LW - Eduard Vartanyan
FW - Islam Omarov
BW - Rustam Kerimov
FLW - Askar Askarov

 

[SamuraiBro]

I want Nemkov in the UFC so bad. Rematch with him and Jiri would be sick. A fight with Pereira would awesome too

 

[Kudo]

Let's not forger Sergey Bilostenniy. You don't see HWs doing this every day.

 

[krelianx]

I want Nemkov in the UFC so bad. Rematch with him and Jiri would be sick. A fight with Pereira would awesome too

Usman would also be sick. Not going to happen if Islam keeps the LW crown, though.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Let's not forger Sergey Bilostenniy. You don't see HWs doing this every day.

I'm a fan of Sergey but he has a questionable gas tank.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Usman would also be sick. Not going to happen if Islam keeps the LW crown, though.

He has to get past Shabliy first. That's not going to be easy.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Btw if UFC doesn't get Usman then they might get Amru Magomedov who trains out of the same gym and is similar talent wise to Usman but a bit more aggressive than Usman is which might play well with the UFC brass.

 

[krelianx]

He has to get past Shabliy first. That's not going to be easy.

Agreed. Looking forward to this fight more than almost any in the UFC taking place in the foreseeable future.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

But we all know the Russian lightweight they need to sign above anyone else is Eduard Vartanyan







Would be highly competitive with Islam tomorrow imo.

 

[pankrat]

Anyway imo the best Russians outside the UFC per division.

HW - Anatoly Malykhin
LHW - Nemkov if he ever wants to cut again, Muslim Magomedov if he doesn't.
MW - Vladimir Mineev when he occasionally fights. Magomedrasul Gasanov if he doesn't
WW - Shamil Musaev
LW - Eduard Vartanyan
FW - Islam Omarov
BW - Rustam Kerimov
FLW - Askar Askarov

Whats your opinion on Goncharov and his chances vs Malykhin?

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Whats your opinion on Goncharov and his chances vs Malykhin?

Very good fighter, it'd be a very good fight because they both like to come forward and smash hooks in so it'd be kind of down to who won that battle.

 

[blaseblase]

But we all know the Russian lightweight they need to sign above anyone else is Eduard Vartanyan







Would be highly competitive with Islam tomorrow imo.

Why Vartanyan and not the ACA champ with two wins over him?

 

[Ludwig von Mises]

Nemkov has moved up to HW because he said he can't handle the weight cuts anymore. This means he will likely fight the winner of Ng vs Problema. If Ng beats Problema that's a bigger fight for Nemkov than the UFC could ever make.

 

[colorles]

Why Vartanyan and not the ACA champ with two wins over him?

AAA is older, not very active and is unlikely ever to leave ACA

 

[TCE]

But currently Bellator has been very good in signing some extremely talented talent from the region, some of which I think rivals the best the UFC has to offer in the respective divisions.



At LW they have Usman Nurmagumedov, who is 17-0. And as a contender, Shabily is an incredible match up. Rabadanov is a serious fighter, though I don't know if him competing in PFL means he's gone from Bellator. Same with Khizriev.

You do realize PFL bought Bellator, right?

 

[Deleted member 513083]

Some Dags would even be too.

I think Chechens would be the most pissed, for some reason people in the USA seem to think there is no division inside of Russia between slavs and other ethnicities.

 

[usernamee]

Anyway imo the best Russians outside the UFC per division.

HW - Anatoly Malykhin
LHW - Nemkov if he ever wants to cut again, Muslim Magomedov if he doesn't.
MW - Vladimir Mineev when he occasionally fights. Magomedrasul Gasanov if he doesn't
WW - Shamil Musaev
LW - Eduard Vartanyan
FW - Islam Omarov
BW - Rustam Kerimov
FLW - Askar Askarov

Lets cross promote Anatoly Malykhin vs Vadim Nemkov at LHW.

Edit: Just read Nemkov moved up to HW for good. Anatoly Malykhin seems fairly small for a HW.