Russian wrestling icon Aleksandr Karelin recently shared his thoughts on mixed martial arts and several prominent Russian contenders. In a recent interview, he maintained his consistent position that MMA represents a competition system rather than a standalone sport.
When asked about Petr Yan, Karelin offered clear praise: “Well done. Proved that boxing can dominate. Even with Siberian readings, he is transforming the world.”
The three-time Olympic champion acknowledged Yan’s accomplishments while emphasizing the foundational role of traditional martial arts in the fighter’s success.
Discussing Islam Makhachev’s victory over Jacob Deon, Karelin was equally complimentary: “Well done. Each of them is well done. And if they remember their basic fundamental view, which gave them the skills, and achieves great results in this system of competition in mixed martial arts, they are all well done.”
When pressed about whether he still considers MMA a competition system rather than a separate sport, Karelin remained firm: “This is a system of competition, I am convinced of this.”
He elaborated on his reasoning by breaking down the English terminology: “What is embedded in the English version. Mixed martial arts. Mixed fight. In simple words. So what will you mix if there is no basic view? What with what? If this is to teach as a sport.”
Karelin acknowledged the challenges athletes face in this format: “Therefore, the conditions received in the form of sports here in this competition system, they are difficult, difficult to achieve, energy-consuming, very difficult to live. But this is still a competition system.”
When the interviewer mentioned Pankration from ancient Greece as a potential counterargument, Karelin simply restated his position. He emphasized that without foundational martial arts, there would be nothing to combine in mixed competition.
During the conversation, Karelin maintained that MMA derives its essence from established combat disciplines rather than constituting an independent sport.
