Is Ukrainian Greco-Roman champion wrestler of the world Zhan Beleniuk is joining Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). If the latest reports in the Ukrainian newspapers are to be believed then 2019 World Champion in 87kg GR category, Beleniuk is seriously contemplating shot at MMA.
According to a report in local daily Tribuna, Beleniuk an MP from the ruling Servant of the People party shared his opinion on the potential transition to MMA.
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“Everyone is waiting for me there. I promised that I would try to prove myself in this sport. Many wrestlers transition to MMA, but there are questions on how effective and appropriate it is. At this moment, I am far away from the octagon. The main thing is to set up good striking fundamentals and have at least some idea on how to behave properly in the fight. Wrestling and MMA are different kinds of sports, you do not want the first octagon appearance to ruin all the impressions of your previous career. If I see the potential and realize that something can really work out for me, why not?
28 year old champion from Kiev has two world championship gold besides a silver medal at the Rio 2016. He was also declared as the best Greco-Roman wrestler of the world by United World Wrestling in 2016. Beleniuk has also won 3 European championships gold said that it will be exciting to become the first MP as MMA champion of the world.
“It seems that there have not yet been MPs who became world champions in MMA. MPs-world champions in Greco-Roman wrestling were there. You know that it is easier to get information about me than the others. However, it has been said earlier: ‘The wrestler is gone.’ Now it is said that I am an MP. Who watches sports more, focuses more on my sports activities, and whoever is more interested in the political life of our country knows that I am an MP,” Beleniuk said.
The sport of Olympic wrestling has seen many transitions of Olympic medallists to MMA. 1992 Gold medal winner Kevin Jackson, 2008 Beijing Olympics winner Henry Cejudo, 2004 Athens Silver medallist Sara McMann and many more. Now Beleniuk may soon join that list.
