Bear-wrestling Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov to face…
Tyson Fury’s next opponent can bear-ly wait for their battle.
Fury, the legendary two-time world heavyweight champion, is popping out of a short-lived retirement to box Russian-born Arslanbek Makhmudov Saturday in a 12-round bout at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Northern London — and he faces a grizzly problem.
Makhmudov, 36, sports activities a 21-2 skilled file with 19 knockouts and brought on an online stir in February with a viral video exhibiting him wrestling with a bear.
In the 51-second clip, Makhmudov repeatedly grapples with the huge brown bear as a number of onlookers movie the encounter, with the hulking fighter wrapping his arms around the animal’s neck at the end of the clip.
Arslanbek Makhmudov grappling with a bear. Instagram/@arslanbek_mahmudov
A video of Makhmudov’s grizzly grappling went viral earlier this yr. Instagram/@arslanbek_mahmudov
Tyson Fury’s opponent Arslanbek Makhmudov wrestled a bear in training camp today 😳“Yes, it’s crazy. Madness is justified when you pursue good goals. The goal was to overcome the threshold of fear and learn to control yourself in critical situations.” pic.twitter.com/avSvRCA6Fo— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) February 21, 2026
“Yes, it’s crazy. Madness is justified when you pursue good goals,” Makhmudov is quoted as saying in the viral X post. “The goal was to overcome the threshold of fear and learn to control yourself in critical situations.”
While Makhmudov at the moment resides in Canada, he’s a native of Russia’s mountainous Dagestan area — a combating haven that has produced some standout fight sports activities athletes.
Makhmudov’s grizzly grappling is sure to draw comparisons to now-retired UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, who completed his combined martial arts profession a good 29-0 and was recognized for wrestling bear cubs as a nine-year-old.
The 6-foot-6 Russian started his boxing profession with 18 straight victories, which included reigns in the heavyweight division as WBC-NABF, WBA-NABA and WBA Inter-Continental champion.
He’s misplaced two of his last 5 bouts, however, including a stunning fourth-round TKO defeat against Agit Kabayel in December 2023, and a doctor stoppage loss against Guido Vianello due to a ugly injury that left his eye swollen.
Britain’s two-time former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury faces off with Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov during a press convention in central London on April 9, 2026. AFP via Getty Images
He has received his last two bouts, including recapturing the WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title against David Allen at Sheffield Stadium in London last October.
As for Fury, he’s returning after abruptly retiring in January 2025 following his second straight loss to Oleksandr Usyk.
The 37-year-old has regularly announced his intention to dangle up the gloves, only to end up combating a short time later.
Fury has said that if Saturday’s battle goes effectively, he’s eyeing a bout against Anthony Joshua. AFP via Getty Images
After defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, Fury said he was that he was retiring — but returned to battle Derek Chisora eight months later.
Retirement bulletins in 2013 and ’17 didn’t last long either for Fury, who sports activities a 34-2-1 file with 24 KOs.
Saturday’s bout against Makhmudov may pave the way in which for a Fury vs. Anthony Joshua superfight to finally happen, with DAZN reporting the chance of it occurring in September.
“If everything goes well in this fight on Saturday night, then that’s the fight we’re looking to make next,” Fury said.
Stay up to date with the latest trending topics! Visit our web site daily for the freshest Sports news and content, rigorously curated to keep you informed.
