(PRESS RELEASE) -- Produced from the Legion Fighting Team and training with notables Ansar Chalangov and Magomed ‘The Eagle’ Shikshabekov, it’s little wonder why Russian lightweight Yuri Ivlev has made more than ripples on route to an impressive 14-5 record. Possessing what many claim as Olympic-level judo and world-class sambo skills, Ivlev has been outclassing opponents time and time again with abilities seeming to improve exponentially with every round clocked.
Since his loss to Karen Grigoryan at the M-1 MFC - Northwest Championships in 2007, Ivlev evolved his game with the addition of an incredible striking arsenal enabling him to successfully close out seven of his last eight victories with heavy-handed one-punch knockouts or devastating ground and pound; falling to his new explosive power include victims Carlos Valeri and Mario Stapel.
What stands out most about Ivlev are his spectacular hip tosses with transitions to submissions; these are as smooth as silk and had HDNet calling his victory over Carlos Valeri at M-1 Challenge IV on the Neva River as one of the top submissions of the 2008 fighting year.
With his flashy techniques, awesome suplexes, fluid spinning high kicks and will-breaking ground and pound, Yuri Ivelv is a truly marketable Russian that the U.S. fan-base will soon become familiar with; keep a watchful eye out for his ‘Eddie Alvarez-esque’ celebratory back-flips from the top ropes as he continues to create havoc for opponents and jaw-dropping memories for fans.