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Alexander Romanov (fighter)
Moldovan mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler (born 1990) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Alexandr Romanov (born December 11, 1990) is a Moldovan professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler who competes in the Heavyweight division of Professional Fighters League (PFL). He has also fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
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Wrestling career
Romanov started training in freestyle wrestling at age seven. He has made four Moldovan World Teams (two as a senior and two as a junior) and eight European Teams (five as a senior, three as an age-group wrestler). His best result has been a bronze medal at the 2016 World University Championships. His last performance to date took place at the 2020 European Wrestling Championships, where he placed twelfth.[3] He is also a two-time UWW grappling European bronze medalist.[4]
Romanov studied at law faculty of Comrat State University and pedagogical faculty of Chișinău Sport Institute.[4]
Alexandr Romanov also competed in sumo for a brief time. While his time in the sport was not long, he won silver in the OPEN European Cup in 2016.[5]
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Mixed martial arts career
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Early career
Early in his career after his stint in wrestling, Romanov found Chelsea Edward, a Muay Thai coach. Edward brought Romanov into the sport of MMA and remains his coach to this day.[5]
Romanov compiled a record of 11 wins and no losses while competing in his native Moldova, primarily at Eagles Fighting Championship, where he became the heavyweight champion.[6]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Romanov signed with the UFC on October 3, 2019, and was later scheduled to make his debut against Raphael Pessoa on April 25, 2020.[7] However, the event was subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]
Romanov was then slated to face Marcin Tybura on July 12, 2020, at UFC 251. However, Romanov was removed from the card on July 1, due to a positive COVID-19 test.[9] He was then scheduled to face Marcos Rogério de Lima on September 5, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai, but the bout was scratched the day of the event when Lima tested positive for COVID-19.[10]
Romanov eventually made his debut on September 12, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill, when he defeated Roque Martinez via arm-triangle choke in the second round.[11]
Next, he faced Marcos Rogério de Lima on November 7, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira. He defeated Lima with the first forearm choke in UFC history, on the first round, to claim Performance of the Night honors.[12]
Romanov faced Juan Espino on April 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum.[13] During the beginning of the third round, Espino accidentally connected with a knee to the groin of Romanov, who could not continue. Romanov was declared the winner via technical split decision.[14] 6 out of 8 media scores gave it to Espino, with the other two declaring it a Draw.[15]
Romanov faced Jared Vanderaa on October 9, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez.[16] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[17]
Romanov was next expected to face Ilir Latifi at UFC Fight Night 202 on February 19, 2022.[18] However, the bout was cancelled for undisclosed reasons.[19]
Replacing Rodrigo Nascimento, Romanov is scheduled to face Tanner Boser on April 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 205.[20] However, on April 18, it was announced that Boser was out of the fight due to an injury.[21] He was replaced by Chase Sherman.[22] However, Sherman was deemed unable to compete due to a minor health issue on the day of the event and the fight was cancelled[23] and the pair was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 35.[23] Romanov won the bout via keylock submission in the first round.[24]
Romanov faced Marcin Tybura on August 20, 2022, at UFC 278.[25] Romanov lost the fight via a controversial majority decision.[26] 17 of 18 MMA media outlets scored the bout as a draw.[27]
Romanov faced Alexander Volkov on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221.[28] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[29]
Romanov faced Blagoy Ivanov at UFC on ESPN 48 on 1 July 2023.[30] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[31]
Romanov faced Jailton Almeida on June 1, 2024, at UFC 302.[32] He lost in the first round via rear-naked choke in his first submission loss.[33]
Romanov was originally scheduled to face former UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger Derrick Lewis on November 2, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 246.[34] However, opponents were changed and Romanov instead faced Rodrigo Nascimento.[35] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[36]
Despite having a recent win, on November 5, 2024, it was reported that Romanov's contract was not renewed, so he was removed from the UFC roster as a result.[37]
Professional Fighters League
On January 27, 2025, Romanov reported at Instagram account that he signed with Professional Fighters League.[38] On March 5, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Romanov will join the 2025 PFL Heavyweight Tournament.[39]
In the quarterfinal, Romanov faced Timothy Johnson on May 1, 2025, at PFL 4.[40] He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round.[41]
In the semifinals, Romanov faced Valentin Moldavsky at PFL 7 on June 27, 2025. The bout ended in a no contest after Moldavsky accidentally hit Romanov with a groin strike and he was unable to continue. Per the decision of the judges, Romanov advanced to the tournament final.[42]
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Professional grappling career
Romanov competed against Chris Daukaus at Fury Pro Grappling 8 on December 30, 2023.[43] Romanov won the match by decision.[44]
Romanov faced Roosevelt Sousa at Pit Submission Series 7 on July 25, 2024.[45] He lost the match by submission.[46]
Romanov competed against Dymere Rappa in the main event of Fury Pro Grappling 12 on December 28, 2024.[47] He won the match by submission with a north south choke.[48]
Personal life
Romanov was born to a Russian father and Ukrainian mother and raised in Moldova.[49] He and his wife have three children.[50] He trains with Adeboy Kechin.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Marcos Rogério de Lima[12]
- Eagles Fighting Championship
- Eagles FC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
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| 23 matches | 19 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 1 |
| By submission | 10 | 1 |
| By decision | 3 | 1 |
| No contests | 1 | |
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See also
References
External links
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