Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling champion Zhan Beleniuk made a spectacular winning debut in mixed martial arts (MMA) at a tournament in Kyiv.

The Ukrainian star needed just one round to defeat experienced Israeli MMA fighter Haim Gozali in their bout in the under-87 kg weight class, Ukrinform reports.

“It was clear that I was relying primarily on my wrestling skills in this fight. That strategy proved successful. I immediately executed a takedown, put my opponent on the mat, and finished the bout with a sustained ground-and-pound attack,” Beleniuk told Ukrinform after the fight.

“I’m very pleased that this victory brought so many positive emotions to the fans. Perhaps it will also inspire young people to take up martial arts,” he added.

Ukraine’s most decorated Greco-Roman wrestler said he dedicated the victory to the country’s defenders.

Other winners in their respective weight classes at the event were Ivan Zinchenko, Mukhamed Mshenesh, Oleksii Stryzhko, Mykola Martyniuk, Dmytro Parubchenko, Vladyslav Parubchenko, and Artem Nechyporenko.

The mixed martial arts tournament in Kyiv was organized by the MMA promotion company Arena Championship.

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As previously reported by Ukrinform, the Ukrainian capital is hosting a high-level MMA competition organized by the country’s newly established MMA league.