Ruslan "The Siberian Rocky" Mikhailovich Provodnikov

Don't call it a comeback - it has only been nineteen months and counting that Ruslan has spent on the shelf.

Per some recent suggestively cryptic social media posts from Provodnikov, a return to action is soon to be officially announced. His twelve-round UD loss to John Molina stands as his only time logged in the ring in over 2¼ years now.

There are very strong whispers that he will be answering the summons of countryman Ali Bagautinov, who unexpectedly called him out to be his sophomoric professional boxing opponent (!!!) in late 2017, perhaps inspired by Conor McGregor's crossover effort against Floyd Mayweather Jr. last summer. Bagautinov is an MMA fighter with a record of 15-6 in that sport, with five wins each by KO, submission and decision - going 4-3 (1) in his stint with the UFC. The brash former world Sambo champion made his pro boxing debut in 2013, winning a 4-rounder by UD on the Diablo vs. Chakhkiev undercard, and remains at 1-0 having not fought in a prize ring since. He is a year Provodnikov's junior, and one inch shorter - and in MMA competes in the "flyweight" division, which roughly corresponds to featherweight in boxing.

After this weird domestic grudge is settled, many expect Provodnikov to resume his years-long pursuit of Adrien Broner. In recent months, Broner has been linked to names like Sergey Lipinets, Amir Khan, and Omar Figueroa as the potential opponent for each this spring. Provodnikov might be waiting to pick up the pieces of a desperate Broner who, presumably on a two-loss skid by then, won't be in a position to be too picky. And who isn't gonna love seeing that?

Assuming we get that far, and Bagautinov doesn't spoil plans...

 

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Like a fat Chinese lesbian.

 

Oh man, if you could pit them in opposite corners...that alone would be worth perfecting time machine tech.

 

Can any of our resident UFC fans give us a scouting report on Bagautinov? @UnleashtheFURY - any chance in hell he beats Provo?

 

I agree, though Mayweather vs. McGregor just may have set the precedent for commissions thinking "why not? Experience in one combat sport can arguably be transferred into another...why not?"

Of course Bagautinov is no McGregor but then by that same token Provodnikov is no Mayweather. I'd say the levels are equally degraded on either half of the analogy.