Jean Beleniuk Steps into the MMA Cage
Former Greco-Roman wrestling star Jean Beleniuk is set to make his mixed martial arts debut on July 11 at the Palace of Sports in Kyiv. His opponent will be 52-year-old Haim Gozali, a veteran who previously competed in Bellator tournaments. Gozali last fought in spring 2023 at the Israel World Combat Championship, where his bout against Yoganatan Arnon ended in disqualification due to Arnon's use of lubricant, and the result was later overturned.
The promotional poster for Arena's debut event also features Parviz Nasibov, with Bovar Khanakov, Dmytro Parubchenko, and Vladyslav Parubchenko among the participants. This fight marks a major milestone for Beleniuk, who has already achieved legendary status in the sports world.
Jean Beleniuk's Olympic Journey
Beleniuk first appeared at the Olympics in 2016 at the Rio de Janeiro Games, competing in the 85 kg weight class. On his way to the final, he defeated:
- Egypt's Saad
- Bulgaria's Bayryakov
- Belarus's Hamzatov
In the 2016 final, he faced Russia's Davit Chakvetadze, losing 9-2 and taking home the silver medal.
The 2020 Olympics, postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, brought Beleniuk gold. He triumphed over Serbia's Datunashvili, Algeria's Azara, and Croatia's Huklek. In the final, he defeated Hungary's Lőrincz 5-1, securing Ukraine's only gold medal at the Tokyo Games. At the 2024 Olympics, he earned a bronze medal after losing to Iran's Alireza Mohmadi in the semifinals and then beating Poland's Arkadiusz Kułynycz 3-1 in the bronze medal match.
Beyond his athletic career, Beleniuk is also active in politics. In 2019, he became a member of the Ukrainian parliament as a candidate for the Servant of the People party, holding the 10th spot on the party list. In the Verkhovna Rada, he serves as the first deputy chair of the Committee on Youth and Sports. He remains an independent politician. In fall 2022, he considered running for president of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine but later withdrew his candidacy.
Last summer, the lawmaker supported Bill No. 12414 and was also named to Ukraine's national Greco-Roman wrestling team for 2026. Jean Beleniuk continues to be active in both sports and politics as he prepares for this new chapter in MMA.
Beleniuk's MMA debut is a significant moment not only for him personally but for Ukrainian sports as a whole.
Given his outstanding achievements in Greco-Roman wrestling, this transition to mixed martial arts could attract new fans and boost the popularity of MMA in Ukraine. As both an athlete and a politician, Beleniuk continues to shape the country's sports landscape, potentially inspiring more young people to take up active sports.
As Jean Beleniuk prepares for his much-anticipated MMA debut, it's worth noting that he won't be the only Olympic champion stepping into the cage. Another Olympic medalist, Parviz Nasibov, will also compete on July 11, adding to the excitement of this inaugural event. This dual debut highlights the growing crossover between traditional Olympic sports and mixed martial arts, promising a thrilling night for fans and athletes alike.