· Sambo World Champion Undefeated Blagoi Ivanov Joins Bellator Heavyweights
Sambo world champion and undefeated mixed martial artist Blagoi Ivanov joined the heavyweight ranks at Bellator Fighting Championships, according to a recent announcement from the promotion. The Bulgarian fighter holds the distinction of having defeated MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko at the combat sambo world championships in 2008, ending an eight year undefeated win streak for Emelianenko.
“Blagoi is a great signing for us at heavyweight,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “He brings an incredible sambo background to the cage and is developing his hands with some of the best in the business. I’m very happy that he and his management have decided to move his career forward under the Bellator banner.”
An accomplished sambo practitioner and judoka, Ivanov transitioned to MMA in 2005 at just 18 years old, winning in his debut via submission. Now 24, he maintains a near-perfect record with eight wins and one no contest (three technical knockouts and three submissions).
Ivanov’s biggest contest to date came against Pride and K-1 veteran Kazuyuki Fujita at Sengoku 9 in Saitama, Japan on Aug. 2, 2009 where he battled to a split decision win—reportedly breaking both hands in the process.
Continuing his impressive run, Ivanov picked up his most recent victory at “RPC 9: Collision” in October of last year, defeating Svetoslav Zahariev by TKO in the first round. Since then the surging heavyweight fighter has made a home in Las Vegas, currently training at the Tapout Training Center and under the tutelage of MMA stars Randy Couture, Vitor Belfort, and Roy Nelson among others.
Despite being new to the organization, Ivanov’s aspirations are clear and immediate. “I'm already hard at work preparing for my first fight with Bellator. My ultimate goal is to fight Cole Konrad for the Bellator world heavyweight championship," he stated. "My mission is to become the Bellator champion, and that's what I intend to do.”
