Vitaly Minakov
| Vitaly Minakov Виталий Минаков |
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|---|---|
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| Born | Vitaly Viktorovich Minakov February 6, 1985 Bryansk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 249 lb (113 kg; 17.8 st) |
| Division | Heavyweight (265 lb) |
| Reach | 78 in (198 cm) |
| Style | Judo, Sambo, Wrestling, Gaidojutsu |
| Fighting out of |
Bryansk, Russia Fairfield, New Jersey, U.S |
| Team | Fight Nights Team Greg Jackson |
| 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 | 19 |
| Wins | 19 |
| By knockout | 10 |
| By submission | 7 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing  Russia
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| Men's Sambo | ||
| World Championships | ||
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2008 St. Petersburg | +100 kg |
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2009 Thessaloniki | +100 kg |
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2010 Tashkent | +100 kg |
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2011 Vilnius | +100 kg |
| Russian Sambo Championships | ||
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2008 Moscow | +100 kg |
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2009 Dmitrov | +100 kg |
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2010 Yaroslavl | +100 kg |
|
2011 Vyksa | +100 kg |
 |
2013 Khabarovsk | +100 kg |
Vitaly Viktorovich Minakov (Russian: Виталий Викторович Минаков; born February 6, 1985, Bryansk) is a Russian sambist, judoka and undefeated mixed martial artist currently competing in the heavyweight division for Bellator MMA. He is the former Bellator MMA heavyweight champion. As of May 19, 2016, he is #13 in the world rankings by Fight Matrix.
Because Vitaly is a numerous Sambo World Champion and a Junior Russian National Champion in Judo, he considered competing at the 2012 Olympics in London. It is unknown why he didn't make the team. In his 2010 interview, he also stated that he beat Teddy Riner, a numerous World Judo Champion and an Olympic Gold Medalist in a training/sparring session in 2006.
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.
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.
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