Bilyal Makhov Explained

Full Name:Bilyal Valeryevich Makhov
Citizenship:Russian
Birth Date:20 September 1987
Birth Place:Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia
Height:196 cm
Weight:NaNkg (-2,147,483,648lb)
Country:Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia
Sport:Wrestling
Event:Freestyle and Greco-Roman
Club:CSKA Wrestling club, Khasavyurt WC
Coach:Gadzhi Gadzhiev, Magomed Guseinov, Khankala Gadzhimagomedov
Show-Medals:yes

Bilyal Valerievich Makhov (Russian: Билял Валерьевич Махов, ; born 20 September 1987 in Nalchik) is a Russian freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestler. He was the Russian champion in 2007 and 2010, European champion in 2010 and World champion in 2007, 2009 and 2010 in Men's Freestyle 120 kg wrestling and bronze medalist in 130 kg Greco-Roman Wrestling at the World Championships in 2014 and 2015. In 2015, he won the Russian National Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships.

He originally won the bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the men's 120 kg category but was upgraded to joint gold medallist with Komeil Ghasemi of Iran in 2020, when retesting of samples revealed both finalists had used illegal substances. In September 2021, Makhov was himself banned for four years after an anti-doping violation.[1]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On 25 April 2015, it was announced that Makhov had signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to compete in the heavyweight division. Makhov decided to continue to wrestle in the hope to medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.[2] After the 2016 Summer Olympics, Makhov did not fight in the UFC due to long-term health issues caused by a mercury poisoning he had suffered in 2008.[3]

Championships and accomplishments

International Titles

International accomplishments

The first wrestler in 42 years to win a medal at the same world championships in both freestyle and Greco-Roman (the last person to accomplish this was Jan Karlsson in 1973).

National Titles

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 24 September 2021 . Reuters . Russia's 2012 wrestling gold medallist Bilyal Makhov gets four-year ban . 28 September 2021 . The Times of India . en.
  2. News: Olympic medalist Bilyal Makhov signs with UFC, still eyes 2016 Summer Games . 25 April 2015 . MMAJunkie.com . 25 April 2015.
  3. News: Bilyal Makhov refused to move to UFC due to health issues . 25 November 2020 . hardcord.com . 18 May 2020.