The Savage from Belarus

Fighter profile of Anzor Dankovich by Chris Karter

Minsk, Belarus - In the marijuana fields on the outskirts of Minsk, the Belarusian fighter Anzor Dankovich quietly tends to his gardens. Even in the harshest of weathers, he's always been determined to get the highest yields. His resilency is somewhat of a legend of local lore, as the farmer-turned-professional MMA fighter has carved a name for himself on the MMA scene for being a finisher.

"I fight until the bell dings or the ref stops it." Dankovic claims in his native language. "28 fight career, only been to the judges once. Even though I was victorious, I blame an old strain of AK-47 on that performance."

Dankovic (19-9 MMA) is a a 4-time SMASH Heavyweight champion who is on a trek for the Hall of Fame with the SMASH organization. He has put on numerous Fight of the Year contender performances with his trilogy fights with Wilhelm von Hoodonk which were ESPN instant classics. His knockout win over LaTroy Johnson is one of the most viewed highlights on SMASH's official YouTube page.

Daknovic is currently scheduled to face Russia's Maxim Menshikov (32-24), a former Combate and SMASH heavyweight champion that still has some sauce in his gloves. Once ranked the #3 heavyweight in the entire world, Menshikov has seen better days, and at 41 years old we can state politely that he isn't in the prime of his career. However, he remains a dangerous test on the feet and still has the power to put most chins to sleep if he can touch them.

Dankovic, who is coming off a classic barnburner victory over rival Wilhelm von Hoodonk that recently went viral, is hopeful that a win over veteran Maxim Menshikov will get him back into title contention and earn him the recognition in the MMA community that he deserves.

"I don't make as much noise as Kilo Maluga or Leif Leifsson," The 28 year old Belarusian states. "But I take pride in putting on exciting fights, and I am determined to go out and win every time I step into the cage or ring."

Dankovic is one of those fighters that are too tough for their own good, and he wears the punishment he's sustained over the duration of his 10-year fight career on the scar tissue of his face. Anzor is one of the many disciples of the Just Bleed Gods, and always pays the mandatory blood tribute during his fights. Of his 9 losses, 6 have been due to doctor stoppages. Some would say it's due to corrupt officials and bribed doctors, others would say it's because his skin is thin as paper and shreds like spaghetti. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.

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