Interview with Sambosteve

**sambosteve** · Posted On: 6/17/2009 9:55pm

http://jiujitsukit.com/2009/06/sambo...o-association/

From a jiujittsu blog...

**Matt Phillips** · Posted On: 6/17/2009 10:30pm

I find it hilarious that the interviewer makes it out like SAMBO is just now becoming popular in MMA, when in fact SAMBO has been at the top of the MMA food chain since almost the very beginning. Before there was Fedor, there was Vov. That reign of terror in the form of Russian standup and SAMBO continues from the moment Igor knocked BJJ on its ass for the first time on television, KOing Adilson Lima (1995), unbroken to Fedor's KO of Arlovski last month. The Alpha male of MMA has been a combat SAMBO guy since the moment Shamrock and Gracie "retired", and arguably before.

**G-Off** · Posted On: 6/17/2009 10:37pm

Originally Posted by War Wheel

I find it hilarious that the interviewer makes it out like SAMBO is just now becoming popular in MMA, when in fact SAMBO has been at the top of the MMA food chain since almost the very beginning. Before there was Fedor, there was Vov. That reign of terror in the form of Russian standup and SAMBO continues from the moment Igor knocked BJJ on its ass for the first time on television, KOing Adilson Lima (1995), unbroken to Fedor's KO of Arlovski last month. The Alpha male of MMA has been a combat SAMBO guy since the moment Shamrock and Gracie "retired", and arguably before.

I didn't think SAMBO was ever Igor's primary style though, he fought more like a kickboxer.

He was undoubtedly a complete effing badass though.

**Matt Phillips** · Posted On: 6/17/2009 10:56pm

Originally Posted by G-Off

I didn't think SAMBO was ever Igor's primary style though, he fought more like a kickboxer.

He was undoubtedly a complete effing badass though.

His primary style is Russian Kickboxing, but his grappling is SAMBO (+ some freestyle). IMO he was a proto-combat SAMBO stylist, "proto" because there was no competitive (sport) combat SAMBO in the 90's.

Some day when you have some time, watch a bunch of Igor's fights, then switch over to Fedor and see if you agree that Fedor is Charizard to Vov's Charmeleon.

**sambosteve** · Posted On: 6/18/2009 12:09am

Yes, sambo is here in the US since only the early 2000's...LOL. That comment was not in our original discussion. But, hey, sometimes it takes people a while to notice. Still, I think he meant something like...people are finally starting to take notice in the early 2000's. But he worded it poorly.

**ysc87** · Posted On: 6/18/2009 12:11am

I liked mine better.

Kidding. Good interview.

**G-Off** · Posted On: 6/18/2009 12:14am

Originally Posted by War Wheel

His primary style is Russian Kickboxing, but his grappling is SAMBO (+ some freestyle). IMO he was a proto-combat SAMBO stylist, "proto" because there was no competitive (sport) combat SAMBO in the 90's.

Some day when you have some time, watch a bunch of Igor's fights, then switch over to Fedor and see if you agree that Fedor is Charizard to Vov's Charmeleon.

Striking, I would absolutely agree. They're remarkably similar in that fashion, at least. I guess it's just the difference between Igor focusing on striking and Fedor (slightly) more on grappling.

**Matt Phillips** · Posted On: 6/18/2009 6:29am

Yes, and the fact that Fedor has the actual sport of Combat SAMBO to participate in. Fedor is IMO a 40/60 grappler, whereas Igor was 70/30 striker.

Steve, do you remember the name of that guy (Andre something) who was Oleg's roomate and used to write articles about training/living with him?

**Matt Phillips** · Posted On: 6/18/2009 8:25am

Found it: Andreh Anderson, as interviewed by Rafiel "Noted liar and murderer" Torre

Originally Posted by interview

RT:You lived with Oleg for a while, what is he like as a roomate??

Andreh A: It's funny, but the only reason anyone knows my name is because
of Oleg and some of the guys I've gotten to meet and work with over the last four years. Oleg is like my brother. I was honored to be his best man at his wedding and
I was lucky to have him as a coach. Living with him was always exciting because he will always surprise you with something. Let me tell you, the worst sound you can ever hear is Oleg's booming voice singing Russian military songs at the top of his lungs just before he crashes through your door and drags you into another room to wrestle at 7:00 am! I call it wrestling, but it was really just him tying me into a pretzle and beating on me until he got bored! Oleg is a great friend, but there were times I wished I was a little bigger and alot more skilled so I could give back a little
bit of the fun.