Trivia

Joined the Russian Army for 3 years and taught self-defense and anti-terrorist tactics.

Competed in several Ultimate Fighting Championships and won the VI tournament.

Practices the Russian fighting style of Sambo.

Is a four-time European and Asian Jiu-Jitsu Champion and twice won the World Sambo Championships.

Is a two time World Sambo Champion.

Tied Ken Shamrock in a legendary UFC superfight.

Birthplace (Arzamas-16) is/was the home of the Soviet nuclear weapons program (equivalent to Los Alamos, New Mexico in the US program)

At UFC 6, he defeated Anthony Macias in six seconds.

Teaches Sambo in Beverly Hills. (2002)

At age 12 was already recognized for his skills in Sambo and Judo.

The winner of UFC 6.

He defeated Tank Abbott to win UFC 6.

Is called the Russian Bear.

Is best known for his front roll to knee bar submission hold.

His father was a steel worker and his mother was a book keeper.

Has played four different characters called Oleg. 15 Minutes (2001), Blizhniy Boy: The Ultimate Fighter (2007), Bobby Z (2007) and Officer Down (2013).

Naturalized United States citizen (since 2000).

Has a son named Keaton.

Has an impressive win over David "Tank" Abbott.

Dislocated his knee a week before his first UFC fight.

Was a professional wrestler.

Taktarov's ethnicity is actually Mari, not Russian. Maris are indigenous people of Russia and they speak Mari language which is a Finno-Ugric language, related to Hungarian, Finnish and Estonian.

Had UFC record of 6-2-1.