A kickboxing clash between Ivan Shtyrkov and Gadzhi Avtomat has been confirmed as a co-main event for RCC 25, scheduled for July 4.
Ivan Shtyrkov will step into the kickboxing ring against Gadzhi Avtomat in a co-main event slot at RCC 25, confirmed for July 4.
Shtyrkov, widely known as "Ural Hulk," brings an unbeaten MMA record of 15 wins and one draw to the occasion. The 38-year-old Russian competes out of Archangel Michael Club and stands six feet tall with a 74-inch reach. He fights from an orthodox stance and has built his reputation as one of the more physically imposing fighters on the Russian regional circuit. RCC 25 marks a crossover moment for him, trading the MMA cage for a kickboxing format.
Verified data for Gadzhi Avtomat was not available in the AgentMMA database at the time of publication, so his record and background cannot be detailed here.
Why it matters
- Shtyrkov's undefeated MMA record gives him credibility heading into the kickboxing crossover, but the rule set removes the grappling elements that have defined his career.
- RCC — the Russian Cossacks Championship promotion — has used co-main event slots to spotlight established regional names, and pairing Shtyrkov in that position signals confidence in his drawing power.
- The bout adds another data point to the growing trend of MMA fighters testing themselves under striking-only rules within Russian regional promotions.
