20 Facts About Ivan Drago

Ivan Drago appears in the 2018 film Creed II, in which he is the main antagonist and serves as the trainer to his son Viktor played by a real Romanian kickboxer.

Ivan Drago is portrayed by Swedish-American actor and real-life martial artist Dolph Lundgren in both films.

Ivan Drago is carefully fitted and trained to be the consummate fighter.

Ivan Drago is seen receiving intramuscular injections in the movie, implied to be anabolic steroids, though the actual nature of the injected solution is never explicitly stated; instead, Ludmilla, his wife, states as a joke that Ivan Drago is like Popeye and eats spinach every day.

Ivan Drago was forced to leave Russia to look after his son Viktor Drago following his loss to Rocky.

Ivan Drago was married to another athlete, Ludmilla Vobet, who is mentioned to be a double gold medalist in swimming.

Ivan Drago is much more articulate than Drago, who seldom talks, and always speaks on his behalf at press conferences and interviews.

Ivan Drago enters professional heavyweight boxing in the beginning of the movie.

Ivan Drago even continues to attack Creed after the bell is rung to end the round, despite this being an exhibition match, leaving Apollo bloodied and slumped against the ropes.

Ivan Drago continues to attack Apollo without mercy, and Rocky is ready to go against his wishes and end the fight, however he hesitates due to Apollo's refusal.

Unlike the match with Apollo, Ivan Drago comes out on the offensive and pummels Rocky for the first round and much of the second, until Rocky manages to cause a deep cut below Ivan Drago's right eye.

Immediately preceding the final round, Rocky and Ivan Drago meet in the middle of the ring where the two men touch gloves as Ivan Drago says to Rocky, "To the end".

Ivan Drago scolds Drago for seeking validation from the very people who turned their backs on him when he needed them.

Ivan Drago pushes Viktor to his limit in training for the bout.

Finally at peace with his past, Ivan Drago focuses on developing a deeper bond with his son, accepting his failure to improve on his legacy.

Unlike the flamboyant Tommy Gunn and the brash James "Clubber" Lang, Rocky's opponents in the first and second, and third previous films, respectively, Ivan Drago is quiet and non-boastful.

Many viewers and critics have suggested that Ivan Drago was meant to symbolize the US perception of the Soviets: immense, powerful, and emotionless.

Ivan Drago generally allows his wife and trainers to talk on his behalf to the press.

Commentaries on Ivan Drago often characterize him as a hyperbolic representation of Soviet power in the context of the latter part of the Cold War.

Russia's "goodwill ambassador" Katya Lycheva of the 1980s objected to the character Ivan Drago, claiming that the film uses him "to vilify the Russian people".