The story of Vyacheslav Datsik is a clear example of the fact that it is impossible to put an end to a career even in the most difficult living conditions.
Until recently, the fighter was known mainly for two things: a sensational victory over Andrei Orlovsky in 1999 and his rich criminal past.
The latter caused much more resonance.
Only in Russia, he managed to serve three prison terms: for illegally crossing the border, robbing a mobile phone store and attacking a brothel.
He was last released in November 2020.
Red-haired Tarzan was 40 by that time, and not a single promotion was eager to sign a contract with him.
With such a track record, it was not necessary to count on a return to the sport.
But in just a year and a half, Datsik has gone from persona non grata to one of the main stars of Russian pop MMA, and his fight schedule is carefully scheduled.
Last week, as part of the Hardcore Boxing tournament, he knocked out Antonio Silva in the second round, who previously played in Strikeforce and the UFC and defeated Fedor Emelianenko in 2011.
At the same time, Datsik signed a contract to meet another mixed martial arts legend, Jeff Monson.
The fight will take place on August 5, and Vyacheslav will fight according to MMA rules for the first time since 2019.
“You are, of course, a legend.
Only someone who has no conscience could challenge you to boxing, but I also know how to wrestle a little.
If you want to test my strength, I'm ready.
I won’t hit hard... It’s unlikely that a boxer will beat a wrestler on the ground, so I plan to fight in a standing position.
I think I declassify with high-speed technical boxing, but I raised its level.
Well, let's take a look at the classics.
I’ll try to show something from Mortal Kombat,” Ren TV quotes Datsik.
Perhaps the main secret of the success of Red Tarzan is that he sincerely dreamed of returning to the sport, and therefore accepted any challenges.
As a result, over the past year and a half, Vyacheslav had eight fights, and six of them were in the boxing ring, which is a lot for professionals.
But the fighter does not hesitate to try himself in any form, including fisticuffs that are gaining popularity.
Surprisingly, in this segment, the MMA veteran suffered only one defeat, and even that was quite controversial.
Zelemkhan Dukaev, who was noticeably inferior to him in anthropometric data, throughout the entire fight, as soon as the opponent began his bombardment, knelt down, spit out his mouth guard and played for time in every possible way.
Nobody really managed to shake Datsik during this time.
However, in this regard, it should be noted the managers of the athlete, who competently select his opponents, avoiding unnecessary risk.
First, he relies on percussion technique.
Secondly, the level of Datsik's opponents is quite modest.
So, the mentioned Silva suffered seven defeats in a row only in mixed martial arts, five of which were by knockouts.
It was not difficult for the Russian to send him to the flooring.
Twice lost to Red Tarzan Tyson Dijon, who was presented as a promising African boxer.
In fact, the level of the Cameroonian was low.
The opponent simply crushed him with physical force.
Daniyal Elbaev never competed outside of pop-MMA and was noticeably heavier than Vyacheslav, whose weight is over 100 kg, so he was exhausted after the first round.
The ex-champion of the planet's leading promotion in kickboxing Saulo Cavalari stands out from this list, but he was far from ideal form.
Evidence of this was the stop by the judges of their confrontation in the first round after the Brazilian, having missed a couple of powerful blows, fell into a knockdown.
Therefore, the organization of the fight with Alexander Emelianenko looks logical.
The latter has much more significant sporting merit and boasts a rich career, but now he is hardly able to stop his compatriot.
Even more, the fans began to doubt the combat effectiveness of Emelianenko Jr. after he appeared at one of the interviews in late May, not in the best condition.
The athlete could barely stand on his feet and had difficulty linking words into sentences.
It is not surprising that Datsik himself believes in his own success.
“Hopefully he comes out in good shape so it doesn’t look like a one-wicket beating.
I look forward to being competitive.
I will prepare for this fight, ”Red Tarzan promised.
At the same time, he treats the opponent without excessive aggression, although earlier he spoke as sharply as possible in his address.
For example, in early June, he made a funny video for him, in which he offered to conduct training in the spirit of the "old school".
The athlete on camera plowed a field in the village, removed manure and chased chickens.
However, in the near future Vyacheslav will have to prepare not only for light fights.
So, the other day, Magomed Ismailov, one of the most popular domestic MMA fighters, expressed a desire to meet him in the ring.
At first glance, it will be difficult for a middleweight to stop a much heavier opponent.
On the other hand, in 2020 he defeated Emelianenko Jr. without any problems.
And the percussion technique of the Dagestanis is at a fairly high level.
In February of this year, according to the rules of boxing, he turned out to be stronger than Olanrevaju Durodola.
“Datsik has rebooted his career, has definitely become smarter, showing himself as a good smiling guy.
And do you think I will stupidly beat him because of your desire or curiosity?
Yes you are right.
Your desire ... definitely unties my hands, ”Ismailov said on social networks.
Carrying out fights with such media opponents is guaranteed to increase the status of Datsik and allow him to receive good fees, especially since he himself is of great interest to martial arts fans because of his past.
An even more serious challenge is the fight with the ex-contender for the world boxing title Dmitry Kudryashov in the final of the PRAVDA promotion.
Red Tarzan made his way there thanks to his success in the confrontation with Cavalari.
In turn, the opponent knocked out Vagab Vagabov.
One way or another, there is no doubt that Vyacheslav's career in the coming years will be filled with interesting meetings.
Although his form does not allow him to show decent results in MMA, the knockout blow has not gone away and will allow him to remain competitive for a long time to come.
Yes, it will probably not be easy for the athlete to hold protracted fights, but, unlike Emelianenko Jr., he demonstrates good readiness.
And if the coaches make him lose 10-15 kg, pump up and add endurance, he will become an even more formidable force.
But the main changes occurred in the character of Vyacheslav.
After 40, he settled down and, it seems, does not intend to return to the criminal past, and shows rage only in the ring.
It is evident that he takes great pleasure in what is happening.
The family also played a big role in the return.
The new wife, Victoria Mamaligina, is present at almost every match of her husband.
Moreover, during the sparring with Gadzhi Navruzov, she was not afraid to jump out onto the floor, being pregnant, when her husband was knocked down.
Last year, a woman gave him a daughter.
Of course, this also could not but have a positive effect on Datsik.
Perhaps the most exhaustive assessment of the revival of Vyacheslav was given by the famous promoter Vladimir Khryunov, who promised to organize a duel for him at the football stadium.
“There is Peter and a big arena where I see his next meeting.
Datsik is the hero of his community.
A man who fell in love and changed his life, ”the RB-Sport manager quotes.
Therefore, it remains only to rejoice for the scandalous fighter, who in the fifth decade got the opportunity to realize himself in sports and make good money before ending his career.
But much more important than money is the personal happiness gained and the dark past left behind.