Zhan Beleniuk Makes the Leap to Mixed Martial Arts
Zhan Beleniuk, an Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, has decided to launch a career in mixed martial arts (MMA). His first fight is scheduled for July 11 at the Palace of Sports in Kyiv. The Ukrainian will face Israel's Haim Gozali, a former competitor in the Bellator promotion. The bout will take place under the banner of the newly formed Arena league, which is headed by former UFC fighter Ludvik Sholinyan.
Beleniuk, now 35 years old, explained that discussions about trying his hand at MMA had been ongoing for quite some time.
“To be honest, I hesitated for a long time myself, but then I found like-minded people. After my wrestling career, I now have more time to dedicate to this: working on striking technique and wrestling from a martial arts perspective. So I started training and preparing, and then an offer came from passionate individuals who, despite the war, are planning to develop this sport in Ukraine. So I decided to give it a shot,” Beleniuk shared.
MMA Debut and Future Plans
Joining Beleniuk on the fight card, Parviz Nasibov—a medalist from the 2020 Olympics—will also make his MMA debut, transitioning from Greco-Roman wrestling as well. Notably, Haim Gozali's last fight took place in spring 2025 at a bare-knuckle tournament.
Beleniuk remains active in Greco-Roman wrestling and has been selected for the Ukrainian national team for 2026. His stated goals for the 2026 season include:
- Breaking into the top five at the World and European Championships.
- Securing top-three finishes at the Ukrainian Championships and Cup.
He is confident in his abilities but approaches his new sport with caution.
“First, I need to understand my potential in this sport. Then we’ll see. I’m someone who realistically assesses my potential. I’m not going to make wild claims, like saying I’ll be boxing for a world title in my weight class at the UFC level tomorrow. We’ll take it step by step and honestly evaluate my chances,” Beleniuk concluded.
Beleniuk's move into mixed martial arts highlights his drive to evolve as an athlete and embrace new challenges after his achievements in Greco-Roman wrestling. Furthermore, his involvement with the new Arena league underscores the efforts of Ukrainian enthusiasts to grow the sport despite the country's difficult circumstances. Bringing in high-profile athletes like Beleniuk and Nasibov could help boost the popularity of MMA both in Ukraine and abroad.
As Beleniuk prepares for his MMA debut, fans eager to learn more about his journey and the upcoming fight can explore additional details surrounding this exciting transition. Notably, fellow Olympic champion Jean Beleniuk is also set to make his own MMA debut shortly. To find out more about their matches, including opponents and venues, check out the full story here.