Issue 037
May 2008
One of Europe’s top heavyweight fighters, Tengiz Tedoradze is an enigmatic Georgian wrestler famed for his suplexes and fearsome ground ‘n pound.
Fact file:
Born: Georgia
Height: 6’2”
Category: 240lb / 110kg
Fighting MMA since: 2000
Total record: 22wins, 7 losses, 1 draw.
A former Greco-Roman wrestling champion (and once upon a time a presidential bodyguard in his home country), Tengiz began his MMA training in the military complexes of Soviet Russia. Turning professional in his new home of England in 2002, he quickly rose to prominence in domestic events before making his international mark on bigger shows such as Cage Rage, where he holds the British heavyweight title.
Tengiz’s strength has always been his wrestling, and he mercilessly suplexes his opponents around the cage before smashing them into submission with his heavy ground ‘n pound. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and in Tengiz’s case this is partly true. A typical wrestler, he was susceptible to submissions earlier in his career, but he has never been renowned for his boxing skills and has suffered at at the hands of competent strikers.
Though he is largely unknown on the wider international scene, Tengiz’s past opponents include fighters such as Fabricio Werdum, James Thompson, Butterbean, Antonio ‘Pezao’ Silva, Edson Drago and more. Fans often taunt those he has vanquished with the catchphrase “You got Tengizzed!”
Notable fights:
Win over Mustapha al Turk via Decision, Cage Rage 23 – Unbelievable, September 22nd 2007
Win over Eric Esch via TKO (Punches), Cage Rage 22 – Hard as Hell, July 14th 2007
Win over Rob Broughton via TKO, Cage Rage 20 – Born 2 Fight, February 10th 2007
Win over Andy Costello via TKO, Angrrr Management – Grrround & Pound, October 14th 2006
Draw with Moise Rimbon, UF 3 - Ultimate Force 3, August 12th 2006
Loss to Dave Dalgliesh via KO, 2H2H – Road to Japan, June 18th 2006
Win over Jordan Faribol via TKO, 2H2H.– Road to Japan, June 18th 2006
Loss to Edson Draggo via KO (Punch), Cage Rage 16 – Critical Condition, April 22nd 2006
Win over Robert Berry via TKO, Cage Rage 15 – Adrenalin Rush, February 4th 2006
Arms
A lifelong Greco-Roman wrestler, Tengiz’s upper body strength in the clinch is well known. Though he lost via submission in both their fights, Tengiz easily suplexed top wrestler Jeff Monson from a Greco tie-up, and he has launched fighters much larger than himself with his excellent use of leverage and strength. Unless you fancy picking up some air miles his body lock is to be avoided at all costs.
Chin
Not the wrestler’s strong point, he has been victim to some nasty knockouts, particularly to Edson Drago and Dave Dalgliesh. His boxing skills are somewhat underdeveloped due to his age and lengthy grappling background, yet he has deceptively fast hands for a man his size and throws a mean right hand.
Belly
Like most heavyweights, Tengiz is a little lenient with his diet. In some fights he could be seen with a protruding gut that gave away his lack of fitness. Changing his training from “a bit of rugby” to full-time multi-disciplinary fight preparation, he has cleaned up his act since then and looks trimmer than ever. His manager joked that Tengiz came to him one day and asked him if he needed to go to the doctors about the lumps in his stomach. His manager replied, “Those aren’t lumps Tengiz, those are your abs!”
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