Sasha Palatnikov
{{short description|American mixed martial arts fighter}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Sasha Palatnikov
| image =
| image_size =
| other_names =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|03|15}}
| birth_place = British Hong Kong
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}
| weight_lb = 170
| weight_class = Welterweight
| reach = 72+1/2 in{{Cite web|title=Stats {{!}} UFC|url=http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/a6c20202c701e5ca|website=ufcstats.com}}
| style =
| stance =
| fighting_out_of = Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
| team = Warrior Academy (until 2019)
Syndicate MMA (2019–present){{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3110224/ufc-255-sasha-palatnikov-first-fighter-fly|title= UFC 255: Sasha Palatnikov first fighter to fly Hong Kong flag in the Octagon – 'this was all meant to be' |date=November 17, 2020|work=South China Morning Post|author=Nick Atkin}}
| years_active = 2017–present
| kickbox_win =
| kickbox_kowin =
| kickbox_loss =
| kickbox_koloss =
| kickbox_draw =
| kickbox_nc =
| mma_kowin = 4
| mma_subwin =
| mma_decwin = 4
| mma_koloss = 3
| mma_subloss = 3
| mma_decloss =
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| sherdog = 200413
| footnotes =
| updated =
| university = University at Buffalo
}}
Sasha Palatnikov (born March 15, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He currently competes in Karate Combat.
Background
Palatnikov, the son of a Russian father, who was a professional high diver, and a Scottish mother, was born and raised in Hong Kong but spent many summers in Brooklyn as a kid, specifically Brighton Beach. Due to this, he has a conversational level of knowledge in Cantonese. His parents put him in Karate at the age of five. He started playing rugby at the age of six and would train Muay Thai and boxing in the off seasons. He played rugby professionally, but due to an injury, decided to retire and go pursue an education.{{Cite web|first=Ray |last=Vann |date=2020-11-20|title=UFC 255: The Debut of Sasha Palatnikov {{!}} The Wave|url=https://www.rockawave.com/articles/ufc-255-the-debut-of-sasha-palatnikov/|access-date=2021-08-16|website=The Wave {{!}} Rockaway Beach, NY}}
Sasha was the Hong Kong Heavyweight Amateur Boxing Association Champion in 2012, wanting to represent Hong Kong at Olympic qualifiers {{Dubious span|text=but due to politics and the fact that he was not ethnically Chinese|date=February 2024}}, he was prohibited from doing so.{{Cite web|title=Sasha Palatnikov |url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/sasha-palatnikov|access-date=2021-08-16|website=www.ufc.com|date=6 November 2020 |language=en}}
Sasha also spent time in the United States and Canada throughout his college career, studying and playing American football and rugby at Concordia University, Hudson Valley Community College, and the University of Buffalo, graduating with a communications degree and minored in computer science. During this time he also obtained a US citizenship from his time studying.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-08|title=UFC: Palatnikov prefers no flag if he can't use Hong Kong's|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3128788/ufc-sasha-palatnikov-prefers-no-flag-if-he|access-date=2021-08-16|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}
In 2014, Palatnikov was sentenced to a 2-year prison sentence by the Hong Kong District Court for a robbery in 2013. The incident occurred when Sasha was helping a South African citizen recover a HK$10,000 debt from an Australian man. HK$70,000 in cash was stolen after the pair forced their way into his flat. At the time, Sasha was a computer programmer who was described as "a straight-A student" and excellent rugby player, claimed he had agreed to help his friend in what he thought would be a purely verbal confrontation with the Australian. Dawson, the Australian, was kicked and punched by the South African while being held by Palatnikov, the court heard.{{Cite web|date=2014-01-08|title=Former kindergarten teacher jailed for violent robbery of Australian|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1400062/former-kindergarten-teacher-jailed-violent-robbery-australian|access-date=2021-08-16|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}} After serving 16 months, Palatnikov was released in 2015.{{Cite web|date=2019-06-08|title=Hong Kong MMA prodigy Palatnikov fights for world title – and redemption|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/article/3013658/mma-prodigy-sasha-palatnikov-fighting-become-hong-kongs|access-date=2021-08-16|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}
Within a month of his release, Palatnikov went to the Philippines to compete in a jiu-jitsu competition, then moved to Florida to train at the Blackzilians team gym in Boca Raton.
Martial arts career
=Early career=
After making his debut in 2017, losing to Emmanuel Verdier via TKO in the second round at Fight Time 36, in 2018, he returned to Hong Kong with his girlfriend, initially just for two weeks on holiday to get his permanent ID renewed. A friend put him in touch with local promotion Just MMA, who asked if he wanted to fight on their upcoming card. He won the bout via knockout in the second round and his opponents manager became his manager as well.
After a one off unanimous decision win against Jeremy Bastian at Combat FC 1 in China, Sasha joined the Angel Fight Championship, where he won his first bout against Jae Young Ahn at AFC 10 on January 28, 2019, via unanimous decision. He then moved up to Middleweight for his next bout in the promotion, winning the AFC Middleweight Championship against Sun Won Son at AFC 12. In the process, Palatnikov became the first Hong Kong-born MMA champion.{{Cite web|date=2019-06-10|title=MMA fighter Palatnikov makes history as first Hong Kong-born champion|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/article/3013913/sasha-palatnikov-makes-history-hong-kongs-first-mma-world|access-date=2021-08-16|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}
Sasha then fought for the UAE Warriors promotion, where he faced fellow future UFC fighter, Mounir Lazzez at UAE Warriors 8. He lost the bout via TKO at the end of the first round.{{Cite web|last=Altatis|first=Conan|date=2019-10-18|title='UAE Warriors 8' results: Rolando Dy vs Do Gyeom Lee, Mounir Lazzez vs Piotr Danelski|url=https://conandaily.com/2019/10/19/uae-warriors-8-results-rolando-dy-vs-do-gyeom-lee-mounir-lazzez-vs-piotr-danelski/|access-date=2021-08-16|website=CONAN Daily|language=en}}
Palatnikov faced late replacement Paulo Henrique at UAE Warriors 13 in a catchweight bout, winning the bout in the first round.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-27|title=Hong Kong's Palatnikov reignites UFC dream with UAE Warriors win|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3103244/hong-kongs-sasha-palatnikov-reignites-ufc|access-date=2021-08-16|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}
=Ultimate Fighting Championship=
Palatnikov made his promotion debut against Louis Cosce on November 21, 2020, at UFC 255. He won the bout via TKO in the third round.{{Cite web|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2020-11-21|title=UFC 255 Results: Sasha Palatnikov Upsets Louis Cosce in Thrilling Fight|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/11/21/ufc-255-results-sasha-palatnikov/|access-date=2021-08-16|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}} This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-22|title=UFC 255 Bonuses: Two Fighters Nab Performance Checks|url=https://www.mmanews.com/ufc-255-bonuses-two-fighters-nab-performance-checks/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=MMA News|language=en-US}}
In his sophomore appearance in the organization, Palatnikov faced Impa Kasanganay on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-25|title=Impa Kasanganay vs. Sasha Palatnikov toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 10 april|url=https://mmadna.nl/impa-kasanganay-vs-sasha-palatnikov-toegevoegd-aan-ufc-evenement-op-10-april/|access-date=2021-02-26|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} He lost the fight via second-round submission.{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Jay |title=UFC Vegas 23 Results: Impa Kasanganay Bounces Back, Submits Sasha Palatnikov |url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/04/10/ufc-vegas-23-results-impa-kasanganay-vs-sasha-palatnikov/ |website=Cageside Press |access-date=10 April 2021 |date=10 April 2021}}
Palatnikov faced Ramiz Brahimaj on August 21, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum.{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Damon|date=2021-05-24|title=Sasha Palatnikov vs. Ramiz Brahimaj booked for UFC event on Aug. 21|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/5/24/22451811/sasha-palatnikov-vs-ramiz-brahimaj-booked-for-ufc-event-on-aug-21|access-date=2021-08-16|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}} He lost the fight via technical submission due to a rear naked choke in round one.{{Cite web|last=Behunin|first=Alex|date=2021-08-21|title=UFC Vegas 34 Results: Ramiz Brahimaj Puts Sasha Palatnikov To Sleep|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/08/21/ufc-vegas-34-results-ramiz-brahimaj-puts-sasha-palatnikov-to-sleep-in-the-first-round/|access-date=2021-08-21|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}
On February 10, 2022, it was announced that Palatnikov was released by the UFC.{{Cite web|last=Tabuena|first=Anton|date=2022-02-10|title=Report: 11 more fighters removed from UFC roster|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2022/2/10/22926885/report-11-more-fighters-removed-from-ufc-roster|access-date=2022-02-10|website=Bloody Elbow|language=en}}
= Post UFC =
Palatnikov faced Kyron Bowen on April 2, 2022 at XMMA 4.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-11 |title=14 former UFC fighters booked for XMMA 4 card in New Orleans |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-news-xmma-4-14-alum-dodson-vs-rivera-new-orelans |access-date=2022-03-11 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} He won the bout via TKO stoppage due to punches and elbows.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-03 |title=XMMA 4 video results, full replay: John Dodson tops Francisco Rivera; Jared Gooden and Kyle Stewart thrive |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/04/xmma-4-free-live-stream-video-john-dodson-vs-francisco-rivera-ufc-alum |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}
Palatnikov faced Joshua Jones on May 20, 2022 at Tuff-N-Uff 128. He won the bout via split decision.{{Cite web |title=Sasha Palatnikov vs. Joshua Jones, Tuff-N-Uff 128 {{!}} MMA Bout |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/658639-tuff-n-uff-128-sasha-palatnikov-vs-joshua-jones |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=Tapology |language=en}}
Palatnikov faced Tanner Saraceno at XMMA 5 on July 23, 2022. He lost the bout via rear-naked choke in the third round.{{Cite web |last=King |first=Nolan |date=2022-07-24 |title=10 ex-UFC fighters pick up four wins, six losses at XMMA 5 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/xmma-5-results-video-10-former-ufc-fighters-luis-pena-vs-will-brooks |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}
Palatnikov is scheduled to face Francisco Trinaldo at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 6 on October 28, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-news-jorge-masvidal-gamebred-bareknuckle-mma-fight-card-nelson-vs-belcher|title=12 former UFC fighters added to Jorge Masvidal's Gambred Bareknuckle MMA event|website=MMA Junkie|date=2023-10-05|access-date=2023-10-14}}
= Karate Combat =
Palatnikov signed with Karate Combat on December 17, 2022, winning his debut against Canadian Rob Buxton by knockout in the first round at Karate Combat 37.{{cite web |title=Highlights! Former UFC Fighter Picks Up TKO Win At Karate Combat 37 |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2022/12/18/23514951/highlights-former-ufc-fighter-knockout-karate-combat-37-sasha-palatnikov-orlando |website=MMAmania.com |access-date=2 February 2023 |language=en |date=18 December 2022}}
Palatnikov next faced Adrian Hadribeaj of Albania at Karate Combat 38 on April 1, 2023, losing by split decision.{{cite web|url=https://bloodyelbow.com/2023/04/02/karate-combat-38-live-stream/|title=Karate Combat 38: Full results, highlight videos|website=Bloody Elbow|date=2023-04-02|access-date=2023-05-21}}
Palatnikov faced former karate and kickboxing champion Raymond Daniels at Karate Combat 39 on May 20, 2023, where he lost by unanimous decision.{{cite web|url=https://bloodyelbow.com/2023/05/20/karate-combat-39-live-stream-results/|title=Karate Combat 39 live stream results, highlights, discussion|website=Bloody Elbow|date=2023-05-20|access-date=2023-10-02}}
= Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA =
Palatanikov faced Francisco Trinaldo at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 6 on November 10, 2023.{{cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=12 former UFC fighters added to Jorge Masvidal's Gambred Bareknuckle MMA event |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-news-jorge-masvidal-gamebred-bareknuckle-mma-fight-card-nelson-vs-belcher |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=MMA Junkie}} He lost the fight via TKO due to injury in the first round.{{Cite web |last=Sherdog.com |title=Alan Belcher Notches Split-Decision Victory Against Roy Nelson at Gamebred FC 6 |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Alan-Belcher-Notches-SplitDecision-Victory-Against-Roy-Nelson-at-Gamebred-FC-6-191685 |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Sherdog |language=en}}
Championships and accomplishments
= Mixed martial arts =
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (One Time) {{small|vs. Louis Cosce}}
- Angel's Fighting Championship
- AFC Middleweight Championship (One time)
Karate Combat record
{{MMArecordbox
|draws=
|nc=
|ko-wins=1
|ko-losses=
|sub-wins=
|sub-losses=
|dec-wins=
|dec-losses=2
|dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|1–2
|Decision (unanimous)
|Karate Combat 39
|{{dts|2023|May|20}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:00
|Miami, Florida, United States
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|1–1
|Adrian Hadribeaj
|Decision (split)
|Karate Combat 38
|{{dts|2023|April|1}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:00
|Miami, Florida, United States
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|1–0
|Rob Buxton
|TKO (punches)
|Karate Combat 37
|{{dts|2022|December|17}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:38
|Orlando, Florida, United States
|
{{end}}
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
| draws=
| nc=
| ko-wins= 4
| sub-wins=
| dec-wins= 4
| ko-losses= 3
| sub-losses= 3
| dec-losses=
| dq-wins=
| dq-losses=
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center| 8–6
|TKO (knee injury)
|Gamebred Fighting Championship 6
|{{dts|2023|November|10}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:55
|Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
|{{small|Bare knuckle MMA.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 8–5
| Tanner Saraceno
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| XMMA 5
| {{dts|2022|July|23}}
| align=center|3
| align=center|4:08
| Columbia, South Carolina, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–4
| Joshua Jones
| Decision (split)
| Tuff-N-Uff 128
| {{dts|2022|May|20}}
| align=center|3
| align=center|5:00
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–4
| Kyron Bowen
| TKO (punches and elbows)
| XMMA 4
| {{dts|2022|April|02}}
| align=center|1
| align=center|4:03
| New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center|6–4
| Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)
| UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Gastelum
| {{dts|2021|August|21}}
| align=center|1
| align=center|2:33
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|6–3
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland
|{{dts|2021|April|10}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:26
|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–2
| Louis Cosce
| TKO (punches)
| UFC 255
| {{dts|2020|November|21}}
| align=center|3
| align=center|2:27
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
| {{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–2
| Paulo Henrique
| TKO (punches)
| UAE Warriors 13
| {{dts|2020.09.25}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:23
| Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| {{small|Catchweight (182 lb) bout.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center|4–2
|TKO (elbows and punches)
|UAE Warriors 8
||{{dts|2019|October|18}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:48
|Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|4–1
|Sung Won Son
|Decision (unanimous)
|AFC 12
|{{dts|2019.06.10}}
|align=center|5
|align=center|5:00
|Seoul, South Korea
|{{small|Won vacant AFC Middleweight Championship. Middlweight bout.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–1
| Jae Young Ahn
|Decision (unanimous)
|AFC 10
|{{dts|2019.01.28}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|5:00
|Seoul, South Korea
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center|2–1
| Jeremy Bastian
|Decision (unanimous)
| Combat FC 1: Inception
|{{dts|2018.06.10}}
| align=center|3
| align=center|5:00
|Dingcheng, China
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–1
| Seok Hyun Ko
| KO (punch)
|Just MMA 3
|{{dts|2018.03.16}}
| align=center|2
| align=center|1:22
|Wan Chai, Hong Kong
|{{small|Welterweight debut.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center|0–1
| Emmanuel Verdier
| TKO
|Fight Time 36
|{{dts|2017.04.07}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:40
|Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
|
{{end}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Sherdog|200413}}
- {{UFC|sasha-palatnikov}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Palatnikov, Sasha}}
Category:Hong Kong male mixed martial artists
Category:Welterweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing karate
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Muay Thai
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Hong Kong male boxers
Category:Hong Kong practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Hong Kong male karateka
Category:Hong Kong male Muay Thai practitioners
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters
Category:American people of Russian descent
Category:American people of Scottish descent