RCC promotion has signed Vlad Belaz Kovalev to a contract for a fight in September, though the organization has not revealed his opponent. Speculation within the MMA community points to Ivan Shtyrkov as the most desirable matchup, with Albert Duraev also mentioned as a strong option. The identity of the opponent remains unconfirmed.
Russian heavyweight prospect Vlad Belaz Kovalev has signed a contract with the RCC promotion for a bout scheduled in September, though the organization has not disclosed who he will face.
The signing has generated conversation in MMA circles, with two names surfacing as the most discussed potential opponents. Ivan Shtyrkov, known as the "Ural Hulk," is widely regarded as the most attractive matchup according to speculation within the community. The 38-year-old Russian fights out of the Archangel Michael Club and carries an impressive record of 15 wins, no losses, and one draw. Standing six feet tall with a 74-inch reach, Shtyrkov brings an unbeaten aura to any matchup.
Albert Duraev has also been floated as a strong option. The 37-year-old Russian, who trains at Xtreme Couture, holds a record of 16 wins and five losses. At five-foot-eleven with a 75-inch reach, Duraev is a well-rounded threat who lands nearly three significant strikes per minute at 40 percent accuracy and averages close to two takedowns per 15 minutes, adding submission attempts into the mix at a rate of 0.6 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- The September date gives RCC a potentially high-profile card anchored by a recognizable signing
- Shtyrkov's undefeated streak would make him one of the most compelling opponents available in the Russian MMA scene
- Duraev's well-rounded, pressure-based style would present a different but equally serious challenge
- The opponent's identity remains unconfirmed, and no official announcement has been made by the promotion
