Saint Petersburg is experiencing a resurgence in its heavyweight division, assembling the most formidable team since the legendary Red Devil team two decades ago. The current 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 trains regularly with the group. Most fighters compete in ACA, where the high level of competition will inevitably result in losses, but success in that organization indicates world-class caliber. Upcoming notable matchups include Kirill Kornilov vs. Tony Johnson and Daniil Matsola vs. Khadis Ibragimov, with Ibragimov also having developed professionally in Saint Petersburg.
Saint Petersburg's heavyweight scene is undergoing a significant rebuild, with a deep and competitive roster now being described as the strongest collective the city has produced since the legendary Red Devil team of roughly two decades ago.
The current group brings together a wide range of experience and styles. Kirill Kornilov carries an 18-3 record, while Alexander Maslov is close behind at 12-1. Veteran Denis Goltsov, one of the more seasoned names on the roster at 36-9, trains alongside unbeaten prospects such as Daniil Matsola, who is a perfect 7-0. Anton Vinnikov adds further depth at 18-5, and Artem Dushenko competes at 93 kilograms with a 6-3 mark. Dmitry Baboryko, a young Greco-Roman wrestling specialist, rounds out the group at 2-0. Anton Vyazigin, 17-6, also trains regularly with the team. Most of these fighters compete in ACA, a promotion where the competitive standard is considered a reliable indicator of world-class ability.
Two matchups on the near horizon will test the roster against credible opposition. 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. Matsola's unbeaten run will be challenged by Khadis Ibragimov, a 31-year-old Russian heavyweight out of Sambo Piter who stands six-foot-three with a 78-inch reach. Ibragimov, carrying an 8-4 record, is an active and accurate striker who lands 3.55 significant strikes per minute and is noted to have developed professionally in Saint Petersburg himself.
Why it matters
- Saint Petersburg now has credible depth across multiple generations of heavyweights, from veterans to unbeaten prospects
- ACA competition provides a legitimate proving ground, with results carrying weight on the broader international scene
- Both upcoming bouts pit Saint Petersburg fighters against opponents with meaningful records, offering a clear measure of the roster's current level
- Ibragimov's own ties to the city add an unusual local dimension to the Matsola matchup
