Bodog Beat

Oleg Taktarov will return to mixed martial arts fighting in Moscow, for Bodog Fight. (Photo courtesy of taktarov.org)

On Friday, Nov. 30 at the MegaSport Ice Arena in Moscow, Bodog Fight returns to Russia to present "Bodog Fight: Russia vs. USA", featuring the remarkable return of legendary Russian fighter, Oleg Taktarov (14-5-2).

It's been almost ten years since "The Russian Bear" last fought in competitive mixed martial arts, although the fighter-turned-actor did go five rounds with Dolph Lundgren (who played Ivan Drago in "Rocky IV") for a celebrity boxing show in Russia this past summer.

Now, the former KGB martial arts instructor, who has fought Dan Severn (80-15-7), Ken Shamrock (26-12-2), Renzo Gracie (13-6-1) and "Tank" Abbott (9-13-0) among others, wants to make his comeback on home soil.

"I've been training with some sambo guys in New York," says Taktarov. "I'm trying to refresh my memory and practice my old tricks with proper resistance. I feel good right now, like I did when I was in my prime. I've never taken drugs or steroids and my body is in great shape. I am looking forward to this fight and am very thankful to Bodog Fight for this opportunity."

The 38-year-old Taktarov will fight 37-year-old John Marsh (7-6), whose biggest win came against Wesley "Cabbage" Correira (18-13-0) in May 2004.

Official Fight Card for Bodog Fight: Russia vs. USA
Friday, Nov. 30 – Moscow, Russia

Alexander Kokoev vs Sultan Tikhaev, (Middleweight)
Ivan Anikanov vs Besiki Gerenava (Light Heavyweight)
Stanislav Shushko vs Telman Shariphov (Heavyweight)
James Binky Jones vs Vladimir Zenin (Lightweight)
Dan Evensen vs Konstantine Gluhov (Heavyweight)
Jessica Aguilar vs Julia Berezekova (Women's 125 pound)
Eric Pele vs Akhmet Sultanov (Heavyweight)
Zulu vs Vladimir Kuchenko (Heavyweight)
Diego Visotzky vs Alexander Shlemenko (Middleweight)
Emyr Bussade vs Andrei Semenov (Middleweight)
John Marsh vs Oleg Taktarov (Heavyweight)

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