Denis Smoldarev

Name: Denis Smoldaraev
Nickname:
Professional Record: 12-2
Weightclass:
Age: 26
Height:
Nationality: Estonia
Gym Affiliation:
Accolades:
Rank: 2 (HW)
Upcoming Fight:
Overall Rating: ★

Striking Skill

Overall Technique ★
Boxing
Kick Technique
Power
Striking Defense
Footwork/Movement

Grappling Skill

Submissions★
Submission Defense
Guard ★
Positioning
Takedowns
Takedown Defense
Clinch

Smoldarev is a native of Estonia.  At only 26-years of age Smoldarev is one of a few young and exciting heavyweightdenis_smoldarevprospects.  In Estonia they call him, “Brock Lesnar,” but his fighting style is nothing like Lesnar’s. The first thing that stood out on Smoldaerv’s game was his powerful kicks. He has some of the hardest kicks out of any of our prospects and he uses them in high volume.  He uses very solid leg kicks to wear down his opponents.  He has some kickboxing and combat sambo background.  He is a world combat sambo bronze medalist.  One of the things that I liked about Smoldarev’s striking was that he frequently goes to the body with his punches.  He does not have one punch knockout power, but he is a volume striker who lands with good accuracy.  Smoldarev is huge for any heavyweight, as he is listed at anywhere from 6’5″ to 6’7″.  He is a big, strong and powerful heavyweight.  He moves pretty well on his feet and his footwork appears to be solid. As big as he is, I have seen a few fights where he was easily taken down.  He has always been able to get to his feet, but it is not a good thing for a guy his size to get rag dolled.  It is the lack of takedown defense that really kept Smoldarev out of our number one spot in the heavyweight division.  He has landed some solid takedowns of his own.  He looks much more comfortable when he is in the top position.  He showed a solid side control.  He is able to land good ground and pound and has some solid submissions ability as well.  His transitions are not as quick as I would like to see, but he is able to transition from side control to mount as needed.  He struggles a bit when he is pressured, but when he is the one pressing forward he is hard to handle.  I also believe he needs to improve his submissions defense, as his two loses came via submission.  With all of that being said, I believe that he could win fights in the UFC.  Currently, Smoldarev is fighting in M-1 where he will stay until his contract is complete.