Oleg Taktarov
Russian sambo and judo athlete, winner of the 1995 UFC 6 tournament and Ultimate Ultimate 1995 finalist, later an actor in films such as Air Force One.
Quick Facts
RussiaBiography
Oleg Taktarov is a Russian fighter and actor, winner of the 1995 UFC 6 tournament. He was born on August 26, 1967, in Arzamas-16 in the Gorky Oblast.
He took up judo and sambo at the age of twelve. He earned the title of Master of Sport in sambo, 3rd dan in judo, and 4th dan in jujutsu. During his military service he became a close-combat instructor for the KGB; he left the service at 22. He won four consecutive Jujutsu Full Contact tournaments and became a four-time European jujutsu champion.
At UFC 5 in April 1995 he reached the semifinals, where he lost to Dan Severn by technical knockout after the fight was stopped due to a cut. He won the UFC 6 tournament in July 1995 after victories over Dave Beneteau, Anthony Macias, and Tank Abbott. At UFC 7 in September 1995 he drew with Ken Shamrock in a bout for the UFC Superfight Championship, and at the Ultimate Ultimate 1995 tournament in December he finished second after a final loss to Severn. His MMA record is 17 wins (14 submissions, 2 knockouts, 1 decision), 5 losses, and 2 draws; his victories include wins over Marco Ruas and Mark Kerr.
As an actor he appeared in the films Air Force One (1997), Bad Boys II (2003), National Treasure (2004), Righteous Kill (2008), Predators (2010), and Den of Thieves (2018).
Associated Martial Arts
A Japanese art of throws and grappling, Olympic since 1964; its idea is to use the opponent's strength instead of your own.
SamboNotable figure→A Soviet wrestling style in the kurtka with throws and locks on the arms and legs, without chokes. A sport since 1938, FIAS has had full IOC recognition since 2021, not at the Olympics.
Achievements and honours
- Major tournament1st place · 1995
- Continental Championships1st place