When people hear the name Oleg Taktarov, they tend to think of the former Ultimate Fighting Champion who last fought in the Octagon at UFC’s The Ultimate Ultimate in 1995. Or they think of the powerfully built, likeable bad guy who all but stole the show in John Herzfeld’s Hollywood shocksation, 15 Minutes.

Born on August 26, 1997, Oleg shared his birthplace with the Soviet nuclear weapons program in Siberia’s town of Arzamas – 16. The four-time European and Asian Jiu-Jitsu champion, and two-time world Sambo champion also spent three years in the Russian army, toughening his mettle. Perhaps it was this travelling along the hard road that helped Taktarov compete at his first UFC despite suffering a knee dislocation one week prior to his debut.

Years after Oleg retired from the Octagon, MMA fans showed their loyalty to the Siberian-born fighter by voting him into the top ten Viewers’ Choice category at UFC 45: Revolution, in November 2003 – something that thrilled Oleg. "I was surprised, because my last official fight was in 1998, so it was touching to know that people still remembered me for what I did so much earlier in my career," says Taktarov.

However the ex-KGB unarmed-combat and anti-terrorism instructor has not achieved any of his success through mere good fortune, but has used the same undying determination that made him UFC champ to succeed as an actor. Besides 15 Minutes, Oleg had roles in such movies as National Treasure, Bad Boys II and Rollerball (2002). And he featured in many Russian films including Red Serpent and Call Me Genie, and is scheduled to play in 2006’s Sdyig.

Now the hard-working Taktarov is poised to make a comeback in the world of MMA with an exciting new fight game. "I’m only 38 and I play soccer four times a week. That’s my hobby. And I still train regularly in boxing and grappling to keep myself tuned. Condition-wise, I am in good shape. I have a championship in Switzerland on February 4 and 5, 2006, called Oleg Taktarov’s Trophy…You can check it out by visiting Sambo.ch."

The Californian-based fighter says he has continued to grow as a mixed martial artist and adds that he would compete again in the Octagon, under the right circumstances. "If I were approached with an interesting offer, I think I would train myself to get ready for the fight. I’m rested, and for the first time in my life, I don’t have any injuries. It would be a new Oleg Taktarov that fans would be seeing. And I’m also definitely better, technically."

Although most observers regard Taktarov as being one of the pioneers of today’s MMA competition, Oleg says he didn’t see himself that way at the time. "I didn’t feel I was a pioneer, because it was just kind of new for the United States. I had been competing in Russia for four years prior to this, in similar competitions, and most of them had no rules. But they had a time limit so that the fight remained active, and that was the only difference."

Oleg, are we going to see more fighters the calibre of Andrei Arlovski coming out of Russia?

So far in mixed martial arts, the guy who is absolute champion…whether you take it pound for pound or not…the absolute champion is Fedor Emelianenko.

When Andrei Arlovski came to the United States, I watched how fast he improved his fight game. I think he will continue to improve so long as he stays interested.

And you’re still working on your acting career?

Yes. This is my main job. For the last two movies I just did little roles. The most recent one was Miami Vice directed by Michael Mann, and it was shot in the Dominican Republic. Most importantly, I must have the right script, and hopefully I will be doing something martial-arts related.

When I take on a new role I’m targeting the whole world, but it’s sometimes easier to make the films in Russia because it’s cheaper to do them there. They can be made just in English, or made in one language and dubbed in another.

Oleg, is there anything you’d like to add?

Just that I am lucky to have such diehard fans and I wish them all the best for the future with what they choose to do with their lives.

Article courtesy of www.knucklepit.com.
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