Karimula Magomedovich Barkalaev (born 23 January 1973) is a Russian former professional mixed martial artist (MMA) and sanda practitioner. He is the first and only Russian national to have won the ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship.^[2] According to Sport Express, on American forums, he was called most mysterious fighter in the history of MMA.^[2] On the MMA ranking system portal Fight Matrix, Barkalaev reached a peak ranking of No. 3 Light Heavyweight in 1999.^[5]

Quick Facts Born, Native name ...

Karimula Barkalaev
Born	Karimula Magomedovich Barkalaev (1973-01-23) 23 January 1973 (age 51)[1][2][3][4] Tivi, Qvareli, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union[1][2][3]
Native name	Каримула Магомедович Баркалаев[1][2][3]
Other names	Kareem Barkalaev
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight	90.72 kg (200 lb; 14 st 4 lb)
Division	Light Heavyweight Heavyweight
Fighting out of	Russia
Team	Russian Top Team
Trainer	Volk Han
Rank	International Master of Sports in Sanda[1]
Years active	1997–2001[2][3]
Mixed martial arts record
Total	12
Wins	11
By knockout	5
By submission	1
By decision	1
By disqualification	1
Unknown	3
Losses	1
By decision	1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record Representing  Russia Submission wrestling ADCC World Championships 1999 Abu Dhabi -88 kg[3] 1998 Abu Dhabi -88 kg[3] Wushu sanda European Wushu Championships 1996 Rome [1]

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Barkalaev was born on 23 January 1973, in the village of Tivi, Qvareli, Georgian SSR.^[1][2][3][4] He is of Avar descent.^[2][3]

After sixth grade, he moved to Kaspiysk, Dagestan where he attended a sports boarding school for Judo and graduated in 1990.^[1][2][3] He trained with his cousin, Dzhabrail Barkalaev who later became a silver medalist at the 1996 Russian Judo Championship.^[2][3][6]

In 1993, Barkalaev started training in sanda.^[2][3] He was winner of the 1995 and 1996 Russian Wushu Championships.^[2][3][7] He was also a silver medalist in the 1996 European Wushu Championship in Rome.^[2][7]

In 1997, Barkalaev met Volk Han and would train under him to participate in mixed martial arts.^[2][3]

Barkalaev spent his early career fighting under the International Absolute Fighting Council (IAFC) promotion in Russia.

On 23 May 1998, he fought against Gilbert Yvel.^[2][3][8] Yvel was disqualified after Barkalaev's coach Volk Han noted the referee Yvel had illegally bitten his fighter^[2][3][8]

On 8 February 2001, Barkalaev competed in the Shidokan Jitsu – Warriors 1 Tournament in Kuwait.^[2][3][7][9] He faced Dave Menne in the finals and lost by unanimous decision after referee, John McCarthy deducted a point for grabbing the cage.^[2][3][7][9] After the fight, he complained how the event was unfair since the referee, as well as all three judges were from the U.S.^[2][3][7][9]

Since that tournament, Barkalaev has not participated in any MMA bouts.^[2][3] He has stated there was a lack of financial incentive and interest in continuing.^[3]

In 1998, Barkalaev competed in the inaugural tournament of the ADCC World Championship.^[3][10][11] He defeated Carlos Lopez, Toby Imada and Igor Yakimov to reach the finals of the −88 kg division.^[10] In the finals he lost to Rodrigo Gracie on points after a 30-minute bout.^[3][10][11]

In 1999, Barkalaev returned to compete in the 1999 ADCC World Championship.^{[2][3][11][12]} He defeated Renato Verissimo, Amaury Bitetti and Egan Inoue all by points.^[12] In the finals he faced Belarusian wrestler, Aleksandr Savko where he won on points and became champion of the −88 kg division.^{[2][3][11][12]}

In 2000, Barkalaev moved up in weight class to compete in the −99 kg division of the 2000 ADCC World Championship.^[2][11][13] He defeated Nino Schembri and faced Ricardo Arona in the semi-finals.^{[2][3][7][11][13]} The match between the two eventually became a brawl and Arona won due to points.^{[2][3][7][11][13]} At the time, Barkalaev was an instructor in Abu Dhabi and a representative of a local Sheikh.^{[2][3][7][11]} His action offended the Sheikh who asked for Barkalaev's arrest.^[2][3][11] After the match, Barkalaev was escorted off the mat and spent a week in prison.^{[2][3][7][11]} He was eventually released by the Sheikh and has stated he wanted to have a rematch with Arona under MMA rules.^[2][3][7] Barkalaev has not returned to the UAE since.^[2]

As of 2023, Barkalaev works as a director for Dagpotrebsoyuz which is the Consumers' Union of Dagestan.^[2][4]

He 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.^[2]

Barkalaev graduated from business school in 2003.^[4] He 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.^[4]

• Professional MMA record for Karimula Barkalaev from Sherdog
• Karimula Barkalaev at Tapology.com

• List of male mixed martial artists