Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the government of Chechnya, challenged the successful mixed martial arts fighter Alexander Emelyanenko to a fight on December 22. Kadyrov said, “In the sports world, this has become a kind of trend: Anyone who’s not too lazy challenges Alexander Emelyanenko to a fight.”
Five days later, Emelyanenko accepted.
“We’re going to promote a healthy lifestyle!” Emelyanenko said in an Instagram video. The athlete offered to let his “dear friend Ramzan” choose a time place, and set of rules for the battle.