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Igor Zinoviev • Class of 2005 • Debut 18 November 1995 vs. Harold German.

by Howard Warren
One of the first mixed martial arts competitors from Russia, Igor Zinoviev helped blaze the trail for future Eastern European and Russia fighters. As a former Russian Special Forces Operator and Policeman, Igor was trained in a variety of martial arts, most notably Sambo.
Igor Zinoviev made his MMA debut at Extreme Fighting 1 on November 18, 1995, winning the four-man mddleweight tournament. Zinoviev defeated BJJ legend Mario Sperry in the final match, having survived the dreaded mount, and escaping numerous submission attempts. With the win, the myth of BJJ invincability was ended.
This victory made him the first and only Extreme Fighting Middleweight Champion; he would defend it two more times until EF folded officially in 1998.
Although, still the EF Middleweight Champion, Igor fought once in Pancrase against Osami Shibuya at Pancrase: Alive 11 on December 20, 1997; the fight ended in a two round draw.
With Extreme Fighting now officially defunct, the Ultimate Fighting Championship looking to unify their light heavyweight championship, andmatched Igor against UFC light heavyweight Champion Frank Shamrock. In the first round, Frank Shamrock slammed Igor to the mat, breaking his collar bone and knocking him unconscious. This was Igor's sole defeat and the injury ended his career.
After his career-ending injury, Igor worked as a personal trainer and bodyguard. In 2007, he was the head coach for Chicago Red Bears of the short-lived International Fight League. Zinoviev continues to train fighters to this day.