Alexander Romanov (fighter)

Alexander Romanov (born 11 December 1990) is a Moldovan mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler, who competes in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Alexander Romanov
BornAlexandr Romanov
(1990-12-11) 11 December 1990
Comrat, Moldova
Other namesKing Kong
ResidenceComrat, Moldova
NationalityMoldovan
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight260 lb (118 kg; 18 st 8 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach75 in (191 cm)[1]
StyleWrestling
Fighting out ofComrat, Moldova
TeamLion Club
WrestlingOlympic Freestyle Wrestling
Years active2016–present (MMA)
2007–present (freestyle wrestling)
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins15
By knockout6
By submission8
By decision1
Losses0
UniversityComrat State University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing  Moldova
World University Championships
2016 Çorum125 kg

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.[2] He is also a two-time UWW grappling European bronze medalist.[3]

Romanov studied at law faculty of Comrat State University and pedagogical faculty of Chișinău Sport Institute.[3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

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.[4]

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.[5] However, the event was subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

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.[7] He was then scheduled to face Marcos Rogério de Lima on September 5, 2020, at UFC on ESPN+ 34, but the bout was scratched the day of the event when Lima tested positive for COVID-19.[8]

Romanov eventually made his debut on September 12, 2020, at UFC on ESPN+ 35, when he defeated Roque Martinez via arm-triangle choke in the second round.[9]

Next, he faced Marcos Rogério de Lima on November 7, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 17. He defeated Lima with the first forearm choke in UFC history, on the first round, to claim Performance of the Night honors.[10]

Romanov faced Juan Espino on April 17, 2021 at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum.[11] 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.[12] 6 out of 8 media scores gave it to Espino, with the other two declaring it a Draw.[13]

Romanov faced Jared Vanderaa on October 9, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez.[14] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[15]

Personal life

Romanov and his wife have three children.[16]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
15 matches 15 wins 0 losses
By knockout 6 0
By submission 8 0
By decision 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 15–0 Jared Vanderaa TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez October 9, 2021 2 4:43 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 14–0 Juan Espino Technical Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum April 17, 2021 3 1:05 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Accidental knee to the groin rendered Romanov unable to continue.
Win 13–0 Marcos Rogério de Lima Technical Submission (forearm choke) UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira November 7, 2020 1 4:48 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 12–0 Roque Martinez Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill September 12, 2020 2 4:22 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–0 Sérgio Freitas TKO (slam) Eagles FC 11 February 16, 2019 1 2:28 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 10–0 Sultan Murtazaliev TKO (punches) Eagles FC 10 November 3, 2018 3 2:17 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 9–0 Virgil Zwicker Submission (neck crank) S-70: Plotforma Cup 2018 August 22, 2018 1 1:15 Sochi, Russia
Win 8–0 Ion Grigore Submission (forearm choke) Eagles FC 9 May 26, 2018 1 3:54 Chișinău, Moldova Openweight bout.
Win 7–0 Alexander Stolyarov TKO (punches) Eagles FC 8 February 10, 2018 1 0:36 Chișinău, Moldova Won the EFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 6–0 Ravshankhon Khusanov TKO (punches) Eagles FC 7 November 4, 2017 1 1:37 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 5–0 Yuri Gorbenko Submission (forearm choke) Eagles FC 6 June 24, 2017 1 3:43 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 4–0 Evgeniy Golub TKO (punches) Eagles FC 5 May 20, 2017 1 0:48 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 3–0 Shota Betlemidze Submission (rear-naked choke) ProFC Ukraine: Brave Hearts April 8, 2017 1 4:56 Nikolaev, Ukraine
Win 2–0 Andrey Burdiniuk Submission (neck crank) Eagles FC 4 February 18, 2017 3 0:43 Chișinău, Moldova
Win 1–0 Yuriy Protsenko Submission (rear-naked choke) Eagles FC 3 November 19, 2016 1 0:50 Chișinău, Moldova Heavyweight debut.

[17]

See also

References
  1. "Stats - UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  2. "Romanov, Alexandr (MDA)". United World Wrestling.
  3. "Alexandr Romanov - UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  4. Bitter, Shawn (2019-10-03). "UFC Signs Heavyweight Alexander "King Kong" Romanov". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  5. Lee, Alexander K. (2020-02-25). "Alan Patrick vs. Christos Giagos, Raphael Pessoa vs. Alexander Romanov added to UFC Lincoln". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  6. Marrocco, Steven (2020-04-20). "UFC officially updates status on four events due to coronavirus pandemic". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  7. "Gym: Alexander Romanov was removed from UFC 251 due to positive COVID-19 tests". MMA Junkie. 2020-07-09. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  8. "UFC on ESPN+ 34 at seven fights after Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Alexander Romanov scratched". MMA Junkie. 2020-09-05. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  9. Doherty, Dan (2020-09-12). "UFC Vegas 10 Results: Alexander Romanov Runs Through Roque Martinez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  10. Doherty, Dan (2020-11-07). "UFC Vegas 13 Results: Alexander Romanov Hits First Forearm Choke in UFC History". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  11. DNA, MMA (2021-04-03). "Juan Espino en Alexandr Romanov treffen elkaar op 17 april". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-04-03.
  12. Behunin, Alex (April 17, 2021). "UFC Vegas 24 Results: Low Blow Sends Alexander Romanov vs. Juan Espino to Scorecards Early". Cageside. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  13. "Alexander Romanov def. Juan Espino :: UFC on ESPN 22 :: MMA Decisions". www.mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  14. Dorff, Marcel (2021-07-09). "Alexandr Romanov vs. Jared Vanderaa toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 9 oktober". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  15. Behunin, Alex (2021-10-09). "UFC Vegas 39 Results: Alexander Romanov Pounds Out Jared Vanderaa". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
  16. Drake Riggs (January 31, 2021). Alexandr Romanov wants top 10 opponent next, sees title contention with three more wins – via YouTube.
  17. Sherdog.com. "Alexander Romanov". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.