Alexander Romanov (fighter)
Moldovan wrestler and mixed martial artist (born 1990)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alexandr Romanov (born December 11, 1990) is a Moldovan professional mixed martial artist and freestyle wrestler who competes in the Heavyweight division. He has also fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the Professional Fighters League (PFL). As of April 21, 2026, he is #5 in the PFL heavyweight rankings.[3]
Comrat, SSR Moldova, Soviet Union
| Alexandr Romanov | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | December 11, 1990 Comrat, SSR Moldova, Soviet Union | ||||||||||||||
| Other names | King Kong | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 265 lb (120 kg; 18 st 13 lb) | ||||||||||||||
| Division | Heavyweight | ||||||||||||||
| Reach | 75 in (191 cm)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| Style | Wrestling | ||||||||||||||
| Fighting out of | Comrat, Moldova | ||||||||||||||
| Team | Rising Tide Academy | ||||||||||||||
| Rank | Black belt in BJJ, under Mike Stewart.[2] | ||||||||||||||
| Wrestling | Olympic Freestyle Wrestling | ||||||||||||||
| Years active | 2016–present (MMA) 2007–present (freestyle wrestling) | ||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 27 | ||||||||||||||
| Wins | 22 | ||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 6 | ||||||||||||||
| By submission | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| By decision | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Losses | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| By knockout | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| By submission | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| By decision | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| No contests | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Other information | |||||||||||||||
| University | Comrat State University | ||||||||||||||
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |||||||||||||||
Medal record
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He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of Real American Freestyle (RAF).
Wrestling career
Romanov started training in freestyle wrestling at age seven. He has made four Moldovan World Teams (two as a senior and two as a junior) and eight European Teams (five as a senior, three as an age-group wrestler). His best result has been a bronze medal at the 2016 World University Championships. His last performance to date took place at the 2020 European Wrestling Championships, where he placed twelfth.[4] He is also a two-time UWW grappling European bronze medalist.[5]
Romanov studied at law faculty of Comrat State University and pedagogical faculty of Chișinău Sport Institute.[5]
Alexandr Romanov also competed in sumo for a brief time. While his time in the sport was not long, he won silver in the OPEN European Cup in 2016.[6]
Romanov debuted for Real American Freestyle at RAF 02 on October 25, 2025, losing to Mason Parris.[7] He will headline RAF 09 against Gable Steveson on May 30, 2026.[8]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Early in his career after his stint in wrestling, Romanov found Chelsea Edward, a Muay Thai coach. Edward brought Romanov into the sport of MMA and remains his coach to this day.[6]
Romanov compiled a record of 11 wins and no losses while competing in his native Moldova, primarily at Eagles Fighting Championship, where he became the heavyweight champion.[9]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Romanov signed with the UFC on October 3, 2019, and was later scheduled to make his debut against Raphael Pessoa on April 25, 2020.[10] However, the event was subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[11]
Romanov was then slated to face Marcin Tybura on July 12, 2020, at UFC 251. However, Romanov was removed from the card on July 1, due to a positive COVID-19 test.[12] He was then scheduled to face Marcos Rogério de Lima on September 5, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai, but the bout was scratched the day of the event when Lima tested positive for COVID-19.[13]
Romanov eventually made his debut on September 12, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill, when he defeated Roque Martinez via arm-triangle choke in the second round.[14]
Next, he faced Marcos Rogério de Lima on November 7, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira. He defeated Lima with the first forearm choke in UFC history, on the first round, to claim Performance of the Night honors.[15]
Romanov faced Juan Espino on April 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum.[16] During the beginning of the third round, Espino accidentally connected with a knee to the groin of Romanov, who could not continue. Romanov was declared the winner via technical split decision.[17] 6 out of 8 media scores gave it to Espino, with the other two declaring it a Draw.[18]
Romanov faced Jared Vanderaa on October 9, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez.[19] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[20]
Romanov was next expected to face Ilir Latifi at UFC Fight Night 202 on February 19, 2022.[21] However, the bout was cancelled for undisclosed reasons.[22]
Replacing Rodrigo Nascimento, Romanov is scheduled to face Tanner Boser on April 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 205.[23] However, on April 18, it was announced that Boser was out of the fight due to an injury.[24] He was replaced by Chase Sherman.[25] However, Sherman was deemed unable to compete due to a minor health issue on the day of the event and the fight was cancelled[26] and the pair was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 35.[26] Romanov won the bout via keylock submission in the first round.[27]
Romanov faced Marcin Tybura on August 20, 2022, at UFC 278.[28] Romanov lost the fight via a controversial majority decision.[29] 17 of 18 MMA media outlets scored the bout as a draw.[30]
Romanov faced Alexander Volkov on March 11, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221.[31] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[32]
Romanov faced Blagoy Ivanov at UFC on ESPN 48 on 1 July 2023.[33] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[34]
Romanov faced Jailton Almeida on June 1, 2024, at UFC 302.[35] He lost in the first round via rear-naked choke in his first submission loss.[36]
Romanov was originally scheduled to face former UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger Derrick Lewis on November 2, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 246.[37] However, opponents were changed and Romanov instead faced Rodrigo Nascimento.[38] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[39]
Despite having a recent win, on November 5, 2024, it was reported that Romanov's contract was not renewed, so he was removed from the UFC roster as a result.[40]
Professional Fighters League
On January 27, 2025, Romanov reported at Instagram account that he signed with Professional Fighters League.[41] On March 5, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Romanov will join the 2025 PFL Heavyweight Tournament.[42]
In the quarterfinal, Romanov faced Timothy Johnson on May 1, 2025, at PFL 4.[43] He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the first round.[44]
In the semifinals, Romanov faced Valentin Moldavsky at PFL 7 on June 27, 2025. The bout ended in a no contest after Moldavsky accidentally hit Romanov with a groin strike and he was unable to continue. Per the decision of the judges, Romanov advanced to the tournament final.[45]
In the final, Romanov faced Oleg Popov at PFL 10, on August 21, 2025. He lost the fight via split decision.[46]
Romanov faced Rodrigo Nascimento in a rematch at PFL Chicago: Pettis vs. McKee, on April 11, 2026. He won the bout via submission in the second round.[47]
Professional grappling career
Romanov competed against Chris Daukaus at Fury Pro Grappling 8 on December 30, 2023.[48] Romanov won the match by decision.[49]
Romanov faced Roosevelt Sousa at Pit Submission Series 7 on July 25, 2024.[50] He lost the match by submission.[51]
Romanov competed against Dymere Rappa in the main event of Fury Pro Grappling 12 on December 28, 2024.[52] He won the match by submission with a north south choke.[53]
Personal life
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Marcos Rogério de Lima[15]
- Eagles Fighting Championship
- Eagles FC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Shogun Fights
- Shogun Fights Heavyweight Championship (One time)
Mixed martial arts record
| 27 matches | 22 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 1 |
| By submission | 13 | 1 |
| By decision | 3 | 2 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 22–4 (1) | Rodrigo Nascimento | Submission (guillotine choke) | PFL Chicago: Pettis vs. McKee | April 11, 2026 | 2 | 3:10 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |
| Win | 21–4 (1) | Jared Vanderaa | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shogun Fights 32 | March 28, 2026 | 1 | 1:30 | Hanover, Maryland, United States | Won the vacant Shogun Fights Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 20–4 (1) | Cameron Graham | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shogun Fights 31 | November 15, 2025 | 1 | 4:03 | Hanover, Maryland, United States | |
| Loss | 19–4 (1) | Oleg Popov | Decision (split) | PFL 10 (2025) | August 21, 2025 | 5 | 5:00 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | 2025 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Final. |
| NC | 19–3 (1) | Valentin Moldavsky | NC (accidental knee to groin) | PFL 7 (2025) | June 27, 2025 | 1 | 4:26 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | 2025 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. Accidental knee to the groin rendered Romanov unable to continue. |
| Win | 19–3 | Timothy Johnson | Submission (guillotine choke) | PFL 4 (2025) | May 1, 2025 | 1 | 1:53 | Orlando, Florida, United States | 2025 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 18–3 | Rodrigo Nascimento | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi | November 2, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
| Loss | 17–3 | Jailton Almeida | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 302 | June 1, 2024 | 1 | 2:27 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 17–2 | Blagoy Ivanov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Strickland vs. Magomedov | July 1, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 16–2 | Alexander Volkov | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili | March 11, 2023 | 1 | 2:16 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 16–1 | Marcin Tybura | Decision (majority) | UFC 278 | August 20, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | |
| Win | 16–0 | Chase Sherman | Submission (keylock) | UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Vera | April 30, 2022 | 1 | 2:11 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 15–0 | Jared Vanderaa | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez | October 9, 2021 | 2 | 4:43 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 14–0 | Juan Espino | Technical Decision (split) | UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum | April 17, 2021 | 3 | 1:05 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Accidental knee to the groin rendered Romanov unable to continue. |
| Win | 13–0 | Marcos Rogério de Lima | Technical Submission (forearm choke) | UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira | November 7, 2020 | 1 | 4:48 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 12–0 | Roque Martinez | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Waterson vs. Hill | September 12, 2020 | 2 | 4:22 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–0 | Sérgio Freitas | TKO (submission to injury) | Eagles FC 11 | February 16, 2019 | 1 | 2:28 | Chișinău, Moldova | |
| Win | 10–0 | Sultan Murtazaliev | TKO (punches) | Eagles FC 10 | November 3, 2018 | 3 | 2:17 | Chișinău, Moldova | |
| Win | 9–0 | Virgil Zwicker | Submission (neck crank) | League S-70: Plotforma Cup 2018 | August 22, 2018 | 1 | 1:15 | Sochi, Russia | |
| Win | 8–0 | Ion Grigore | Submission (forearm choke) | Eagles FC 9 | May 26, 2018 | 1 | 3:54 | Chișinău, Moldova | Openweight bout. |
| Win | 7–0 | Alexander Stolyarov | TKO (punches) | Eagles FC 8 | February 10, 2018 | 1 | 0:36 | Chișinău, Moldova | Won the EFC Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–0 | Ravshankhon Khusanov | TKO (punches) | Eagles FC 7 | November 4, 2017 | 1 | 1:37 | Chișinău, Moldova | |
| Win | 5–0 | Yuri Gorbenko | Submission (forearm choke) | Eagles FC 6 | June 24, 2017 | 1 | 3:43 | Chișinău, Moldova | |
| Win | 4–0 | Evgeniy Golub | TKO (punches) | Eagles FC 5 | May 20, 2017 | 1 | 0:48 | Chișinău, Moldova | |
| Win | 3–0 | Shota Betlemidze | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ProFC Ukraine: Brave Hearts | April 8, 2017 | 1 | 4:56 | Nikolaev, Ukraine | |
| Win | 2–0 | Andrey Burdiniuk | Submission (neck crank) | Eagles FC 4 | February 18, 2017 | 3 | 0:43 | Chișinău, Moldova | |
| Win | 1–0 | Yuriy Protsenko | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Eagles FC 3 | November 19, 2016 | 1 | 0:50 | Chișinău, Moldova | Heavyweight debut. |
