Julia Alexandrovna Berezikova (Russian: Юлия Березикова, tr. Julija Berezikova; born (1983-11-17)November 17, 1983) is a Russian female mixed martial artist and boxer.[1] In February, 2014 she was the #7-ranked 125-pound female fighter in the world according to the Unified Women's MMA Rankings.[2] She has not fought since she knocked out Rosy Duarte in October 2015.[3] She is a W5 World Champion and is also a champion in Judo, Boxing, Wushu, Sambo and Muay Thai.[4]

Julia Berezikova
Julia Berezikova in 2015
Born (1983-11-17) November 17, 1983 (age 40)
Krasnokamensk, Chita Oblast, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Other namesBerezka (English: Birch)
ResidenceSaint Petersburg, Russia
NationalityRussian
Height1.67 m (5 ft 5+12 in)
Weight57.0 kg (125.7 lb)
StyleBoxing, Sanshou
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofSaint Petersburg, Russia
TeamRusFighters Sport Club (2008-present)
Red Devil Sport Club (2006-2007)
TrainerSergei Nikitin
Years active2006-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total11
Wins7
By knockout1
By submission3
By decision3
Losses4
By knockout1
By submission2
By decision1
WebsiteArchived website
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: February 1, 2014 (2014-02-01)

Background edit

Berezikova was born on (1983-11-17)November 17, 1983 in Krasnokamensk, Zabaykalsky Krai (at the time Chita Oblast), Russia.[5][6]

During her childhood, Berezikova injured her back after an unsuccessful flip and her doctors thought that she would not be able to practice sport any longer, but she was able to make a complete recovery.[5]

Berezikova arrived in Saint Petersburg in 1999, and in 2001 she first learned about MMA.[7]

Berezikova's brother was an acquaintance of Roman Zentsov, who recommended that Berezikova begin training in boxing to combine it with her knowledge of judo.[5]

Berezikova became a medalist in Wushu Sanda in 2003. From 2003 to 2005, she was the champion of Saint Petersburg in boxing, the winner of Russia's Boxing Cup in 2003, winner of the Russian boxing championship in 2004 and 2005, Saint Petersburg combat sambo champion in 2004 and Russia Jiu-jitsu champion in 2008.[5]

While in Saint Petersburg, Berezikova met Vladislav Lavrinovich, who was putting together MMA events. Berezikova asked him to give her a chance, and although he refused at first, he eventually decided to allow her to compete.[7]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Berezikova debuted professionally on December 2, 2006 (2006-12-02) at bodogFight: USA vs. Russia in Vancouver, being defeated by then #1 female fighter Tara LaRosa by armbar submission in the second round; an accomplishment, according to Berezikova, since she was a rookie in MMA.[8][9]

Berezikova next faced South Korean MMA debutant Song Lee Jin, whom Berezikova quickly defeated by TKO in 51 seconds at M-1 Global's event M-1 MFC: Russia vs. Korea on January 20, 2007 (2007-01-20) in South Korea.[10][11]

On April 14, 2007 (2007-04-14) at bodogFight: Clash of the Nations, Berezikova was defeated by American Julie Kedzie in the second via TKO (referee stoppage) after Kedzie trapped Berezikova with a leg triangle from which Kedzie punched Berezikova freely, preventing her from escaping or defending.[12][13]

At bodogFight: Vancouver on August 24, 2007 (2007-08-24), Berezikova was defeated by English fighter Rosi Sexton via submission (armbar) in round two.[14][15]

Debuting with MMA promotion FightForce, Berezikova faced the experienced Japanese judoka and former Smackgirl open weight champion Megumi Yabushita. Berezikova was able to defeat Yabushita by unanimous decision after a competitive match on April 19, 2008 (2008-04-19) at the event FightForce: Russia vs. The World in Saint Petersburg, Russia.[16][17]

Originally set to fight against French Tevi Say,[9] who had to retire from the match due to an injury,[18] Berezikova defeated fellow Russian Milana Dudieva by submission (punches) in the first round at FightForce: Day of Anger on February 28, 2009 (2009-02-28).[18][19]

Berezikova returned to MMA on November 5, 2011 (2011-11-05) and won her next two fights. On May 26, 2012 (2012-05-26), Berezikova defeated Karla Benitez by split decision at Far Eastern Federation of Modern Pankration: Mayor Cup 2012.[20]

Berezikova faced Benitez in a rematch at Super Fight League 12 on December 7, 2012 (2012-12-07) in Mumbai, India. She defeated Benitez by submission due to an armbar in round two.[21]

Returning to Moscow, Berezikova was defeated by Polish fighter, Joanna Jędrzejczyk by unanimous decision after two rounds at Fight Nights: Battle of Moscow 12 on June 20, 2013 (2013-06-20).[22]

Boxing edit

Berezikova took part in a boxing exhibition match against the Women's International Boxing Association (WIBA) champion Emiko Raika on June 1, 2007 (2007-06-01) at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.[23][24][25] She has also participated in other exhibition matches in Japan.[26]

Kickboxing edit

Berezikova was slated to compete in a K-1 rules match on December 19, 2009 (2009-12-19) in Germany.[27]

Outside sports edit

Berezikova posed topless for the Russian version of Penthouse in the issue of February 2008 (2008-02).[28]

Berezikova has worked as consultant of fight scenes for some Russian productions.[29] She was a participant of Russia Channel One's show Big Races.[30]

Along with fellow MMA fighter Aleksander Emelianenko and other Russian athletes, Berezikova participated in the 2010 Russian TV series starring Yevgeni Sidikhin, Olympic Village.[31]

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
12 matches 8 wins 4 losses
By knockout 1 1
By submission 4 2
By decision 3 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 9–4 Rosy Duarte TKO (punches and knees) EFN: Fight Nights Petersburg October 23, 2015 2 1:08 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 8–4 Juliana Werner Submission (leg lock) XFC International 9 March 14, 2015 2 1:35 Sao Paulo, Brazil
Loss 7–4 Joanna Jędrzejczyk Decision (unanimous) Fight Nights: Battle of Moscow 12 June 20, 2013 2 5:00 Moscow, Russia
Win 7–3 Karla Benitez Submission (armbar) Super Fight League 12 December 7, 2012 2 1:42 Mumbai, India
Win 6–3 Karla Benitez Decision (split) FEFoMP: Mayor Cup 2012 May 26, 2012 2 5:00 Khabarovsk, Russia
Win 5–3 Alena Hola Submission (armbar) Fight Nights: Battle of Moscow 6 March 8, 2012 2 1:35 Moscow, Russia
Win 4–3 Eugenia Kostina Decision (unanimous) Fight Nights: Battle of Moscow 5 November 5, 2011 2 3:00 Moscow, Russia
Win 3–3 Milana Dudieva Submission (punches) FightForce: Day of Anger February 28, 2009 1 4:40 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 2–3 Megumi Yabushita Decision (unanimous) FightForce: Russia vs. The World April 19, 2008 3 5:00 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Loss 1–3 Rosi Sexton Submission (armbar) bodogFight: Vancouver August 24, 2007 2 1:49 Vancouver, Canada
Loss 1–2 Julie Kedzie TKO (punches) bodogFight: Clash of the Nations April 14, 2007 2 2:49 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 1–1 Song Lee Jin TKO (punches) M-1 MFC: Russia vs. Korea January 20, 2007 1 0:51 South Korea
Loss 0–1 Tara LaRosa Submission (armbar) bodogFight: USA vs. Russia December 2, 2006 2 1:28 Vancouver, Canada

Professional boxing record edit

2 Wins (2 TKOs), 0 Losses, 0 Drawn
Res. Record Opponent Type Round Time Date Location Notes
Win 2–0   Dalia Vasarhelyi[32] TKO 4 0:43 November 8, 2014   Yunost, Klimovsk, Russia Featherweight
Win 1–0   Nadezhda Khaenok[32] TKO 3 1:29 November 16, 2013   Ivanhoe Country Club, Podolsk, Russia Super Bantamweight

Championships and accomplishments edit

Sanshou edit

  • Medalist of Russia in Wushu Sanda 2003.

Boxing edit

  • Saint Petersburg champion 2003-2005.
  • Russian Cup winner in 2003.
  • Russia boxing championship winner 2004, 2005.

Sambo edit

  • Saint Petersburg Combat Sambo Champion in 2004.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Out of Obscurity: Fight Nights, Jungle Fight 82 and GotC 19". Combat Press. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
  2. ^ "Unified Women's Mixed Martial Arts Rankings". Canada: MMARising.com. 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-02-01.
  3. ^ "Pro MMA Now women's flyweight (125 pound) rankings for August 2016". prommanow.com. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
  4. ^ "Julia Berezikova | MMA » Muay Thai | Awakening Fighters". Awakening Fighters. Retrieved 2018-02-08.
  5. ^ a b c d Юлия Березикова. Женская надежда микс-файт М1. Articles (in Russian). Russia: FightBox.ru. 2008. Archived from the original on 2011-01-09. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  6. ^ Lisovoy, Nikita (2007-04-13). Единоборства. Юлия Березикова: Это ужасно, когда у женщин растут волосы на лице (in Russian). Russia: www.nevasport.ru. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  7. ^ a b Leshchenko, Aleksey (2008-10-21). Юлия Березикова. Profile (in Russian). Russia: peoples.ru. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
  8. ^ "Bodog Fight - "USA vs. Russia" Results (12/2)". News. USA: MMANews.com. 2006-12-03. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  9. ^ a b Richards, Mark (2008-11-28). "Interview with Russia's Julia Berezikova". USA: ADCC News. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  10. ^ "M-1 MFC - Russia vs. Korea". Events. USA: Sherdog. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  11. ^ Berezikova, Julia; Jin, Song Lee (2007-01-20). Julia Berezikova VS Song Lee Jin (in Korean). USA: YouTube. Event occurs at 0:54 - 1:03. Archived from the original (flv) on 2016-03-26. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  12. ^ "Russians Rule Bodog Fight: Clash of the Nations MMA Pay-Per View". MMA News. Fighting-MMA. 2007-04-14. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  13. ^ Berezikova, Julia; Kedzie, Julie (2007-04-14). Julie Kedzie vs Julia Berezekova Part 2. USA: YouTube. Event occurs at 1:57 - 3:22. Archived from the original (flv) on 2016-03-15. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  14. ^ "MMA News: Complete Results for Bodog Fight Vancouver". Sports. bodogBeat. 2007-08-28. Archived from the original on 2011-10-04. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  15. ^ Berezikova, Julia; Sexton, Rosi (2007-08-24). Rosi Sexton vs Julia Berezikova (flv). USA: YouTube. Event occurs at 7:40 - 7:45. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  16. ^ Berezikova, Julia; Yabushita, Megumi (2008-04-19). Юлия Березикова vs. Megumi Yabushita (in Russian). Russia: FightForce. Archived from the original on 2009-02-05. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  17. ^ "FightForce - спорт мужественных людей" (in Russian). Russia: FightForce. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  18. ^ a b "fightFORCE "День гнева"" (in Russian). Russia: Action Force. 2009-03-03. Archived from the original on 2010-06-12. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  19. ^ Berezikova, Julia; Dudieva, Milana (2009-02-28). Юлия Березикова vs. Милана Дудиева. Russia: FightForce. Archived from the original on 2009-05-23. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  20. ^ "Women's MMA Report: Rosi Sexton secures spot in Cage Warriors' tournament final". News. United States: MMAjunkie.com. 2012-06-04. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  21. ^ Sargent, Robert (2012-12-07). "Julia Berezikova Submits Karla Benitez At Super Fight League 12". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2012-12-07.
  22. ^ Sargent, Robert (2013-06-20). "Joanna Jędrzejczyk Defeats Julia Berezikova At Battle Of Moscow 12". Articles. Canada: MMARising.com. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  23. ^ Adachi, Hisao (2007-06-26). "¡Dos bellezas rusas harán exhibición en Japón!" (in Spanish). Notifight.com. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  24. ^ Alonso, Daniel (2007-06-12). "Habrá exhibición femenina en cartilla Vásquez vs Sakata" (in Spanish). lomejordelboxeo.com. Retrieved 2010-11-07.[permanent dead link]
  25. ^ "Women boxers to join medal hunt from 2012". gulfnews.com. 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  26. ^ Adachi, Hisao (2007-09-11). "¡Japón encamina a reconocer el boxeo femenino!" (in Spanish). Notifight.com. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  27. ^ Юлия Березикова: "В этот момент Владимир Путин пожелал мне удачи" (in Russian). Russia: Valetudo.ru. 2009-12-18. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  28. ^ Юлия Березикова. ЭРОТИЧЕСКИЕ ФОТО (in Russian). Russia: RUSactors.ru. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  29. ^ Berezikova, Julia (2009-09-30). В качестве вступления (in Russian). Russia: tribuna.sports.ru. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  30. ^ Юлия Березикова: "Особенно выделялся на фоне остальных Александр Емельяненко" (in Russian). Russia: Valetudo.ru. 2010-08-03. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  31. ^ Олимпийская деревня (in Russian). Russia: Eugene Sidikhin official website. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
  32. ^ a b "Julia Berezikovak Awakening Profile". Awakeningfighters.com. Retrieved 2016-02-19.

External links edit