Shamil Erdogan (13-0) is a former freestyle wrestling phenom born in Russia now representing Turkey on MMA’s world stage. The 35-year-old was born in Kizilyurt, Dagestan, Russia where he grew up parents who were schoolteachers and a younger brother. His father pushed 12-year-old Shamil to wrestling school and he never looked back.
First he competed for Mother Russia in freestyle wrestling. He even defeated current Light Heavyweight and former Heavyweight Champion in ONE, Anatoly Malykhin. He later accepted an invite from the Turkish National Team to wrestle at the World Championships. Erdogan earned a Bronze Medal and then turned his attention to MMA full-time.
Shamil actually lost his only amateur bout, according to Tapology. He never tasted defeat again, rattling off thirteen straight victories at the professional level. He started his career at Light Heavyweight but has recently moved up to Heavyweight. Three straight first round finishes have Shamil Erdogan looking like the next contender at 265 lbs…
Shamil Erdogan | 13-0 | 6’2 205 lbs. | Age 35 | Reach 79” | Southpaw Stance | Fighting Out of Moscow, Russia
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