Vitaly Minakov facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vitaly Minakov Виталий Минаков
Born	Vitaly Viktorovich Minakov (1985-02-06) February 6, 1985 (age 39) Bryansk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Nickname(s)	The New Emperor
Nationality	Russian
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight	265 lb (120 kg; 18.9 st)
Division	Heavyweight (265 lb)
Reach	78 in (198 cm)
Style	Sambo
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Bryansk, Russia
Team	Eagles MMA Fight Nights Team
Rank	1st Razryad Grand Master in Sambo Black belt in Judo Master of Sports in Freestyle Wrestling
Years active	2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	24
Wins	22
By knockout	13
By submission	7
By decision	2
Losses	2
By knockout	1
By decision	1
Medal record Men's Sambo Representing  Russia World Championships Gold 2008 St. Petersburg +100 kg Gold 2009 Thessaloniki +100 kg Gold 2010 Tashkent +100 kg Gold 2011 Vilnius +100 kg Russian Sambo Championships Gold 2008 Moscow +100 kg Gold 2009 Dmitrov +100 kg Gold 2010 Yaroslavl +100 kg Gold 2011 Vyksa +100 kg Silver 2013 Khabarovsk +100 kg

Vitaly Viktorovich Minakov (Russian: Виталий Викторович Минаков; born February 6, 1985, Bryansk) is a Russian mixed martial artist, sambist and judoka currently competing in the heavyweight division of Bellator MMA, where he is the former Bellator MMA Heavyweight World Champion. A professional competitor since 2010, he has also competed for M-1 Global and Fight Nights Global.

Mixed martial arts career

MMA career

Minakov made his professional MMA debut in November 2010. He is a Sambo World Champion, (2008–2011).

Minakov defeated UFC and Bellator veteran Eddie Sanchez on June 7, 2012 at Fight Nights - Battle of Moscow 7. He won via KO in the first round.

Minakov defeated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion and UFC veteran Fabiano Scherner on September 17, 2012 at Fight Nights - Battle of Desne. He won via KO in the first round.

Bellator MMA

In June 2012, Minakov was signed in Bellator.

He made his debut the following fall at Bellator 79 on November 2, 2012. He defeated a Moldavian National Champion & Judo Black Belt Vladimir Starcencov via TKO in the second round to win his Bellator and North American debut.

Minakov faced Ron Sparks on June 19, 2013 in the Bellator Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. He won in the first round by technical knockout.

Minakov faced Ryan Martinez at Bellator 97 in the finals on July 31, 2013. He got the TKO victory via punches in the third round, after he took Martinez down and secured full mount.

Minakov faced and defeated Alexander Volkov on November 15, 2013 at Bellator 108 to win the Bellator Heavyweight Championship.

Minakov faced Bellator Season 9 Heavyweight Tournament winner Cheick Kongo at Bellator 115 on April 4, 2014. He won via unanimous decision to retain the Bellator Heavyweight Championship.

Minakov was stripped of his Bellator MMA title on May 14, 2016 due to inactivity.

Post-Bellator

After leaving Bellator MMA, Minakov returned to fight in his native Russia, under Fight Nights Global promotion. He fought seven times since July 2015 and won all seven of his bouts by finishes.

Return to Bellator

On August 23, 2018 it was revealed that Minakov and his management team had reconciled with Bellator and reached an agreement for a new contract. The new contract was for 6 bouts at $300,000 per fight, with his win bonuses applied on top of that fee.

On January 16, 2019, RusFighters LLC, Minakov's agent and manager, filed a lawsuit in the Orange County Superior Court against Minakov and Ali Abdelaziz, claiming Minakov breached the agreement with RusFighters when he used Abdelaziz to sign the new contract with Bellator. On February 28, 2020, the courts agreed that RusFighters LLC is owed 20% of any gross performance compensation of any bout during the term of his 6 bout Bellator contract.

In his return, Minakov faced Cheick Kongo in a rematch at Bellator 216 on February 16, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision, marking his first professional loss in MMA.

Minakov was to face Javy Ayala at Bellator 225 on August 24, 2019. However, on the day of the fight, it was announced that Ayala was pulled from the bout due to undisclosed medical reasons. Minakov instead faced Tim Johnson. Minakov won the bout via first round knockout.

Minakov was re-scheduled to meet Ayala at Bellator 232 on October 26, 2019. However, Minakov was unable to obtain visa for the bout, leading to Ayala being pulled from the card also.

Minakov was scheduled to face Tyrell Fortune on October 23, 2021 at Bellator 269. However in August, it was announced that Fortune pulled out due to unknown reasons and was replaced by Said Sowma. He lost the bout after it was stopped due to a broken finger.

Championships and accomplishments

Martial arts

• Bellator MMA
  • Bellator Heavyweight World Championship (One time)
  • One Successful Title Defense.
  • Bellator 2013 Summer Series Heavyweight Tournament Championship.
  • Tied (with Tyrell Fortune) for most knockout victories in Bellator Heavyweight division (five)

• Fight Nights Global
  • Undefeated in Fight Nights (9-0)

• Global-MMA
  • Global-MMA Fighter of the Year 2013.

Sambo

• Fédération Internationale de Sambo (FIAS)
  • Sambo World Champion (4 time)
  • Russian National Champion (4 time)
  • Russian Presidential Cup Sambo Champion (3 time - 2008, 2009, 2010)

Judo

• Russian Judo Federation
  • 2006 Russian U23 Championships: 1st place
  • 2005 Russian U23 Championships: 3rd place
  • 2004 Russian U20 Championships: 2nd place

Mixed martial arts record

See also

In Spanish: Vitali Minakov para niños

• List of Bellator MMA alumni
• List of male mixed martial artists