A notable group of heavyweight fighters has assembled in St. Petersburg, representing potentially the strongest team since the legendary Red Devil gym 20 years ago. The roster includes 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, young Greco-Roman wrestling master), Denis Goltsov (36-9), and Anton Vyazigin (17-6) who regularly attends training camps. Most fighters compete in ACA, which guarantees tough competition and inevitable losses, but those who succeed there can be considered world-class fighters. Upcoming fights include Kornilov vs Tony Johnson and Matsola vs Khadis Ibragimov, with Ibragimov also having been developed as a professional in St. Petersburg.
A group of heavyweight fighters based in St. Petersburg has come together to form what observers are calling the most formidable regional team the city has produced in roughly two decades, drawing comparisons to the storied Red Devil gym that shaped Russian MMA in its early years.
The roster brings together an array of experienced and emerging heavyweights. Kirill Kornilov carries an 18-3 record and is among the team's most prominent names, with an upcoming bout against Tony Johnson on the horizon. Johnson stands six-foot-one and holds an 11-3 record, landing two significant strikes per minute at a 53 percent striking accuracy rate and averaging two takedowns per 15 minutes. Alexander Maslov sits at 12-1, while veteran Denis Goltsov adds considerable experience at 36-9. Anton Vinnikov is 18-5, and the unbeaten Daniil Matsola at 7-0 is set to face Khadis Ibragimov. Artem Dushenko competes at 93 kilograms with a 6-3 mark, and Dmitry Baboryko is a young Greco-Roman wrestling specialist who stands at 2-0. Anton Vyazigin, 17-6, regularly joins the group for training camps.
Ibragimov, 31, is a Russian orthodox heavyweight standing six-foot-three with a 78-inch reach who himself developed as a professional in St. Petersburg. He holds an 8-4 record and lands 3.55 significant strikes per minute, giving him a meaningful volume edge on the feet heading into his clash with Matsola.
Why it matters
- The majority of these fighters compete in ACA, one of the more competitive regional promotions, meaning their records are tested against credible opposition.
- Kornilov versus Johnson and Matsola versus Ibragimov give the team immediate high-stakes tests at the top of the regional heavyweight ladder.
- The combination of Greco-Roman wrestling, seasoned veterans, and unbeaten prospects creates a depth of talent rarely concentrated in a single gym outside major MMA hubs.
