Karimula Magomedovich Barkalaev was born on 23 January 1973 and is a Russian former professional mixed martial artist Judoka, and Sanda Kung Fu practitioner.
20 Facts About Karimula Barkalaev
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Karimula Barkalaev is the first and only Russian national to have won the ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship.
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Karimula Barkalaev was born on 23 January 1973, in the village of Tivi, Qvareli, Georgian SSR.
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Karimula Barkalaev trained with his cousin, Dzhabrail Barkalaev who later became a silver medalist at the 1996 Russian Judo Championship.
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Karimula Barkalaev was winner of the 1995 and 1996 Russian Wushu Championships.
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Karimula Barkalaev was a silver medalist in the 1996 European Wushu Championship in Rome.
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In 1997, Karimula Barkalaev met Volk Han and would train under him to participate in mixed martial arts.
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Karimula Barkalaev spent his early career fighting under the International Absolute Fighting Council promotion in Russia.
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Karimula Barkalaev faced Dave Menne in the finals and lost by unanimous decision after referee, John McCarthy deducted a point for grabbing the cage.
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Since that tournament, Karimula Barkalaev has not participated in any MMA bouts.
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Karimula Barkalaev has stated there was a lack of financial incentive and interest in continuing.
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In 1998, Karimula Barkalaev competed in the inaugural tournament of the ADCC World Championship.
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In 1999, Karimula Barkalaev returned to compete in the 1999 ADCC World Championship.
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Karimula Barkalaev defeated Renato Verissimo, Amaury Bitetti and Egan Inoue all by points.
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Karimula Barkalaev defeated Nino Schembri and faced Ricardo Arona in the semi-finals.
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At the time, Karimula Barkalaev was an instructor in Abu Dhabi and a representative of a local Sheikh.
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Karimula Barkalaev's action offended the Sheikh who asked for Barkalaev's arrest.
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Karimula Barkalaev was eventually released by the Sheikh and has stated he wanted to have a rematch with Arona under MMA rules.
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Karimula Barkalaev teaches his skills to young people and can be found at the Ali Aliyev Sport Complex which he was previously in charge of for five years.
20.
Karimula Barkalaev was nominated by the Russian All-People's Union to stand in for the People's Assembly of the Republic of Dagestan although he dropped out after registration.