Former UFC fighter Aleksei Oleinik’s BKFC debut didn’t go according to plan.
With more than 80 fights under his belt, the MMA veteran has fought all across the world, in different disciplines as well with the BKFC being his latest stop.
Known more for his submission game, Oleinik fought in the UFC heavyweight division 17 times, leaving the promotion with a winning record in 2022. Oleinik had three submission wins by neck crank and two by Ezekiel Choke, which is pretty impressive for a heavyweight.
Though, Oleinik’s grappling skills wouldn’t help him in his first bareknuckle boxing match with 72-fight veteran Gerônimo dos Santos at BKFC 71 in Dubai.
Aleksei Oleinik gets laid out in BKFC debut
On Friday, the 47-year-old Oleinik stepped into the Squared Circle for the first time and what could very well be the last as dos Santos ran through him in the opening round.
With a little more than 20 seconds to go in the round, dos Santos fired off a massive overhand right that caught Oleinik clean on the chin.
Oleinik’s taken some big shots in his career, from heavyweight KO king Derrick Lewis and Alistair Overeem, with this bareknuckle blow putting him to sleep on the canvas with his eyes closed and face towards the ceiling.
Aleksei Oleinik’s fighting future
While this isn’t a good look for Oleinik, the UFC veteran says he doesn’t have much of a choice but to fight.
After a divorce with his wife, one he didn’t want, Oleinik talks about the harsh reality of his situation and how much longer he sees himself fighting for.
“I have 2-3 fights left,” Olienik told Sport24 prior to the loss (h/t: Matysek88)
“I can’t physically do it anymore. I don’t want to, and I can’t.
“My psychological resources are depleted too. I don’t want to fight. If I keep going now… selling my health for money, I’ll earn 200 thousand, then 180, 90, 70… Then I’ll be crawling out to the ring for thirty thousand, then for twenty.
“I don’t want to reach that point and gradually sell myself off in parts, piece by piece, like many fighters have done and still do. I don’t want that. But I’m forced to do it,” Olienik said.
