St. Petersburg has assembled a significant heavyweight training camp, potentially the strongest since the legendary Red Devil team 20 years ago. The current roster includes several notable fighters training in the city: Kirill Kornilov (18-3), Alexander Maslov (12-1), Anton Vinnikov (18-5), Daniil Matsola (7-0), Artem Dushenko (6-3 at 93kg), Dmitry Baboryko (2-0, a young Master of Sport in Greco-Roman wrestling), Denis Goltsov (36-9) who trains separately, and Anton Vyazigin (17-6) who regularly attends training camps. Most of these fighters compete in ACA, which means they will face tough competition and likely some defeats. Two upcoming interesting matchups are highlighted: Kirill Kornilov vs Tony Johnson and Daniil Matsola vs Khadis Ibragimov, with Ibragimov also having developed as a professional in St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg's heavyweight scene is drawing attention after reports emerged of a formidable training camp taking shape in the city, one that observers are comparing to the celebrated Red Devil team that dominated Russian MMA two decades ago.
The current roster training out of St. Petersburg features a deep collection of heavyweight talent. Kirill Kornilov carries an 18-3 record, while Alexander Maslov sits at 12-1. Anton Vinnikov brings veteran experience at 18-5, and Daniil Matsola remains undefeated at 7-0. Artem Dushenko competes at 93 kilograms with a 6-3 mark, and young prospect Dmitry Baboryko, a Master of Sport in Greco-Roman wrestling, is 2-0. Denis Goltsov, a seasoned campaigner at 36-9, trains separately but remains connected to the scene, and Anton Vyazigin at 17-6 regularly attends the group's training camps. The majority of these fighters compete in ACA, where stiff competition will test them all.
Two matchups on the horizon have drawn particular interest. Kornilov is set to face Tony Johnson, who holds an 11-3 record and lands two significant strikes per minute at 53 percent accuracy, also averaging two takedowns per 15 minutes. The other bout pairs the undefeated Matsola against Khadis Ibragimov, a 31-year-old Russian fighter out of Sambo Piter who stands six-foot-three with a 78-inch reach. Ibragimov, who carries an 8-4 record, is himself a product of the St. Petersburg fight development system and brings active striking at 3.55 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- St. Petersburg now houses one of the deepest regional heavyweight rosters in European MMA
- Matsola's unbeaten record faces a credible test in Ibragimov, who brings size, reach, and professional pedigree
- Kornilov versus Johnson offers a cross-promotion measuring stick for the camp's top name
- ACA's competitive landscape means these fighters will be pressure-tested quickly
