Alexander Romanov (fighter) explained

Alexandr Romanov
Other Names:King Kong
Birth Date:11 December 1990
Birth Place:Comrat, Moldavian SSR, Soviet Union
Weight:265 lb
Weight Class:Heavyweight
Reach:75 in[1]
Style:Wrestling
Fighting Out Of:Comrat, Moldova
Team:Lion Club
Rank:Black belt in BJJ, under Max Gimenis.[2]
Wrestling:Olympic Freestyle Wrestling
Years Active:2016–present (MMA)
2007–present (freestyle wrestling)
Mma Kowin:6
Mma Subwin:9
Mma Decwin:3
Mma Koloss:1
Mma Subloss:1
Mma Decloss:1
University:Comrat State University
Sherdog:242931

Alexandr Romanov (born December 11, 1990) is a Moldovan professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler. He competed in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Wrestling career

Romanov started training in freestyle wrestling at age seven. He has made four Moldovan World Teams (two as a senior and two as a junior) and eight European Teams (five as a senior, three as an age-group wrestler). His best result has been a bronze medal at the 2016 World University Championships. His last performance to date took place at the 2020 European Wrestling Championships, where he placed twelfth.[3] He is also a two-time UWW grappling European bronze medalist.[4]

Romanov studied at law faculty of Comrat State University and pedagogical faculty of Chișinău Sport Institute.

Alexandr Romanov also competed in sumo for a brief time. While his time in the sport was not long, he won silver in the OPEN European Cup in 2016.[5]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Early in his career after his stint in wrestling, Romanov found Chelsea Edward, a Muay Thai coach. Edward brought Romanov into the sport of MMA and remains his coach to this day.[5]

Romanov compiled a record of 11 wins and no losses while competing in his native Moldova, primarily at Eagles Fighting Championship, where he became the heavyweight champion.[6]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Romanov signed with the UFC on October 3, 2019, and was later scheduled to make his debut against Raphael Pessoa on April 25, 2020.[7] However, the event was subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

Romanov was then slated to face Marcin Tybura on July 12, 2020, at UFC 251. However, Romanov was removed from the card on July 1, due to a positive COVID-19 test.[9] He was then scheduled to face Marcos Rogério de Lima on September 5, 2020, at, but the bout was scratched the day of the event when Lima tested positive for COVID-19.[10]

Romanov eventually made his debut on September 12, 2020, at, when he defeated Roque Martinez via arm-triangle choke in the second round.[11]

Next, he faced Marcos Rogério de Lima on November 7, 2020, at . He defeated Lima with the first forearm choke in UFC history, on the first round, to claim Performance of the Night honors.[12]

Romanov faced Juan Espino on April 17, 2021, at .[13] During the beginning of the third round, Espino accidentally connected with a knee to the groin of Romanov, who could not continue. Romanov was declared the winner via technical split decision.[14] 6 out of 8 media scores gave it to Espino, with the other two declaring it a Draw.[15]

Romanov faced Jared Vanderaa on October 9, 2021, at .[16] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[17]

Romanov was next expected to face Ilir Latifi at UFC Fight Night 202 on February 19, 2022.[18] However, the bout was cancelled for undisclosed reasons.[19]

Replacing Rodrigo Nascimento, Romanov is scheduled to face Tanner Boser on April 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 205.[20] However, on April 18, it was announced that Boser was out of the fight due to an injury.[21] He was replaced by Chase Sherman.[22] However, Sherman was deemed unable to compete due to a minor health issue on the day of the event and the fight was cancelled and the pair was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 35.[23] Romanov won the bout via keylock submission in the first round.[24]

Romanov faced Marcin Tybura on August 20, 2022, at UFC 278.[25] Romanov lost the fight via a controversial majority decision.[26] 17 of 18 MMA media outlets scored the bout as a draw.[27]

Romanov faced Alexander Volkov on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221.[28] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[29]

Romanov faced Blagoy Ivanov at UFC on ESPN 48 on 1 July 2023.[30] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[31]

Romanov faced Jailton Almeida on June 1, 2024, at UFC 302.[32] He lost in the first round via rear-naked choke in his first submission loss.[33]

Romanov was originally scheduled to face former UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger Derrick Lewis on November 2, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 246.[34] However, opponents were changed and Romanov instead faced Rodrigo Nascimento.[35] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[36]

Despite having a recent win, on November 5, 2024, it was reported that Romanov's contract was not renewed, so he was removed from the UFC roster as a result.[37]

Professional grappling career

Romanov competed against Chris Daukaus at Fury Pro Grappling 8 on December 30, 2023.[38] Romanov won the match by decision.[39]

Romanov faced Roosevelt Sousa at Pit Submission Series 7 on July 25, 2024.[40] He lost the match by submission.[41]

Personal life

Romanov was born to a Russian father and Ukrainian mother and raised in Moldova.[42] He and his wife have three children.[43]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center|18–3|Rodrigo Nascimento|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Edmonton, Alberta, Canada||-|Loss|align=center|17–3|Jailton Almeida|Submission (rear-naked choke) |UFC 302||align=center|1|align=center|2:27|Newark, New Jersey, United States||-|Win|align=center|17–2|Blagoy Ivanov|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|16–2|Alexander Volkov|TKO (punches)|||align=center|1|align=center|2:16|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|16–1|Marcin Tybura|Decision (majority)|UFC 278||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States||-|Win|align=center|16–0|Chase Sherman|Submission (keylock)| ||align=center|1|align=center|2:11|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|15–0|Jared Vanderaa|TKO (punches) |||align=center|2|align=center|4:43|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|14–0|Juan Espino|Technical Decision (split)|||align=center|3|align=center|1:05|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|13–0|Marcos Rogério de Lima|Technical Submission (forearm choke)|||align=center|1|align=center|4:48|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Win| align=center| 12–0| Roque Martinez| Submission (arm-triangle choke)|||align=center|2|align=center|4:22|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Win| align=center|11–0| Sérgio Freitas| TKO (submission to injury)| Eagles FC 11| | align=center|1| align=center|2:28| Chișinău, Moldova||-| Win| align=center|10–0| Sultan Murtazaliev| TKO (punches)| Eagles FC 10| | align=center|3| align=center|2:17| Chișinău, Moldova||-| Win| align=center|9–0| Virgil Zwicker| Submission (neck crank)|S-70: Plotforma Cup 2018||align=center|1|align=center|1:15|Sochi, Russia||-| Win| align=center|8–0| Ion Grigore|Submission (forearm choke)| Eagles FC 9| | align=center|1| align=center|3:54|Chișinău, Moldova||-| Win| align=center| 7–0| Alexander Stolyarov| TKO (punches)| Eagles FC 8| | align=center|1| align=center|0:36| Chișinău, Moldova| |-| Win| align=center| 6–0| Ravshankhon Khusanov| TKO (punches)| Eagles FC 7||align=Center|1|align=center|1:37|Chișinău, Moldova| |-| Win| align=center| 5–0| Yuri Gorbenko| Submission (forearm choke)| Eagles FC 6| | align=center| 1| align=center| 3:43| Chișinău, Moldova| |-| Win| align=center| 4–0| Evgeniy Golub| TKO (punches)| Eagles FC 5| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:48| Chișinău, Moldova| |-| Win| align=center| 3–0| Shota Betlemidze| Submission (rear-naked choke)| ProFC Ukraine: Brave Hearts| | align=center| 1| align=center| 4:56| Nikolaev, Ukraine| |-| Win| align=center| 2–0| Andrey Burdiniuk| Submission (neck crank)| Eagles FC 4| | align=center| 3| align=center| 0:43| Chișinău, Moldova||-| Win| align=center| 1–0| Yuriy Protsenko| Submission (rear-naked choke)| Eagles FC 3| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:50| Chișinău, Moldova|[44]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stats - UFC . 2020-10-04 . ufcstats.com.
  2. https://smoothcomp.com/en/profile/1299095
  3. Web site: Romanov, Alexandr (MDA) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210513194254/https://www.iat.uni-leipzig.de/datenbanken/dbwrestling/daten.php?spid=3F7B51DF23E94AC9BC246F9D35F069AD . 2021-05-13 . United World Wrestling.
  4. Web site: Alexandr Romanov - UFC . 2020-12-12 . www.ufc.com . 12 April 2019 . en.
  5. Web site: Alexandr Romanov: "Without losses or moments of weakness, there are no victories". Fight-Library.com. Blaine Henry. April 29, 2022.
  6. Web site: Bitter . Shawn . 2019-10-03 . UFC Signs Heavyweight Alexander "King Kong" Romanov . 2020-12-12 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  7. Web site: Lee . Alexander K. . 2020-02-25 . Alan Patrick vs. Christos Giagos, Raphael Pessoa vs. Alexander Romanov added to UFC Lincoln . 2020-12-12 . MMA Fighting . en.
  8. Web site: Marrocco . Steven . 2020-04-20 . UFC officially updates status on four events due to coronavirus pandemic . 2020-12-12 . MMA Fighting . en.
  9. Web site: 2020-07-09 . Gym: Alexander Romanov was removed from UFC 251 due to positive COVID-19 tests . 2020-12-12 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  10. Web site: 2020-09-05 . UFC on ESPN+ 34 at seven fights after Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Alexander Romanov scratched . 2020-12-12 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  11. Web site: Doherty . Dan . 2020-09-12 . UFC Vegas 10 Results: Alexander Romanov Runs Through Roque Martinez . 2020-12-12 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  12. Web site: Doherty . Dan . 2020-11-07 . UFC Vegas 13 Results: Alexander Romanov Hits First Forearm Choke in UFC History . 2020-12-12 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  13. Web site: DNA . MMA . 2021-04-03 . Juan Espino en Alexandr Romanov treffen elkaar op 17 april . 2021-04-03 . MMA DNA . nl.
  14. Web site: Behunin . Alex . April 17, 2021 . UFC Vegas 24 Results: Low Blow Sends Alexander Romanov vs. Juan Espino to Scorecards Early . April 17, 2021 . Cageside.
  15. Web site: Alexander Romanov def. Juan Espino :: UFC on ESPN 22 :: MMA Decisions . 2021-04-25 . mmadecisions.com.
  16. Web site: Dorff . Marcel . 2021-07-09 . Alexandr Romanov vs. Jared Vanderaa toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 9 oktober . 2021-07-09 . MMA DNA . nl.
  17. Web site: Behunin. Alex. 2021-10-09. UFC Vegas 39 Results: Alexander Romanov Pounds Out Jared Vanderaa. 2021-10-09. Cageside Press. en-US.
  18. Web site: Anderson . Jay . UFC: Ilir Latifi vs. Alexander Romanov Announced for February 19 . Cageside Press . 28 December 2021.
  19. Web site: Anderson. Jay. 2022-02-04. With Romanov Fight Off, Ilir Latifi Gets Aleksei Oleinik at UFC Columbus. 2022-02-05. Cageside Press. en-US.
  20. Web site: 2022-03-22 . UFC Vegas 52 Romanov fills in for Nascimento against Boser . Marcel Dorff. 2022-03-23 . Eurosport . nl.
  21. Web site: Lee . Alexander K. . 2022-04-18 . Tanner Boser out of Alexander Romanov fight at UFC Vegas 52 . 2022-04-19 . MMA Fighting . en.
  22. Web site: With Tanner Boser out, Alexandr Romanov now faces Chase Sherman at UFC Vegas 52. mmafighting.com. Damon Martin. 2022-04-19. 2022-04-19.
  23. Web site: Chase Sherman late scratch from UFC Vegas 52 bout with Alexandr Romanov. mmafighting.com. Mike Heck. 2022-04-23. 2022-04-23.
  24. Web site: Behunin . Alex . 2022-04-30 . UFC Vegas 53: Alexander Romanov Smashes, Submits Chase Sherman Early . 2022-05-01 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  25. Web site: Critchfield . Tristen . Alexander Romanov vs. Marcin Tybura among multiple bouts confirmed for UFC 278 . 2022-06-22 . Sherdog . en.
  26. Web site: Anderson . Jay . UFC 278: Marcin Tybura Rallies Back to Win Majority Decision Against Alexander Romanov . 2022-08-22 . Cageside Press . en.
  27. Web site: MMADecisions.com . MMADecisions.com . 2022-08-20 . 2022-09-10.
  28. Web site: ATSteveDuncan . 2023-01-24 . Alexander Volkov vs. Alexander Romanov agregado a UFC Vegas 71 . 2023-01-24 . MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. . es . 2023-01-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230124202129/https://mma.uno/alexander-volkov-vs-alexander-romanov-agregado-a-ufc-vegas-71/ . dead .
  29. Web site: UFC Las Vegas: Alexander Volkov melts Alexandr Romanov in first round. Cageside Press. Val Dewar. 2023-03-11. 2023-03-11.
  30. Web site: UFC heavyweights Blagoy Ivanov, Alexandr Romanov set to collide July 1. June 1, 2023. MMAjunkie.com. Nolan King. Farah Hannoun. 2023-07-01.
  31. Web site: Theodosi . Jamie . 2023-07-01 . UFC Vegas 76: Alexandr Romanov Returns to Win Column With Dominant Display Over Blagoy Ivanov . 2023-07-03 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  32. Web site: Sherdog.com . Jailton Almeida vs. Alexander Romanov Booked for UFC 302 on June 1 . 2024-04-10 . Sherdog . en.
  33. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2024-06-02 . UFC 302: Jailton Almeida Proves He Belongs in Top 10, Runs Through Alexander Romanov . 2024-06-02 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  34. Web site: Derrick Lewis added to UFC Edmonton vs. Alexandr Romanov. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Nolan King. 2024-08-15. 2024-08-15.
  35. Web site: UFC splits Edmonton co-main event: Derrick Lewis, Alexandr Romanov get new opponents. mmajunkie.com. Nolan King and Farah Hannoun. 2024-08-20. 2024-08-20.
  36. Web site: Alexandr Romanov Grinds Nascimento To Decision Win. cagesidepress.com. Bryson Hester. 2024-11-02. 2024-11-02.
  37. Web site: UFC Fighter Removed From The Roster 48 Hours After Win. forbes.com. Brian Mazique. 2024-11-05. 2024-11-05.
  38. Web site: Lindsey . Alex . Fury Pro Grappling 8 Lineup Stars Top MMA Fighters And BJJ Black Belts . Jitsmagazine . 7 December 2023.
  39. Web site: Fury Pro Grappling 8 Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine . 31 December 2023.
  40. Web site: Jones . Phil . BJJ And MMA Stars Mix On Pit Submission Series 7 Card . Jitsmagazine . 31 July 2024.
  41. Web site: Pit Submission Series 7 Full Results And Review . Jitsmagazine . 31 July 2024.
  42. Web site: «Я русский, но не россиянин». Александр Романов — новый тяж в UFC - 3 марта 2020 - Sport24. sport24.ru.
  43. Alexandr Romanov wants top 10 opponent next, sees title contention with three more wins. Drake Riggs. January 31, 2021. YouTube.
  44. Web site: Sherdog.com . Alexandr Romanov . 2021-10-10 . Sherdog.

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