Top Dog FC Major Events - Complete History of Russia's Bare Knuckle Powerhouse
While BKFC dominates the American bare knuckle landscape and BKB pushes into UK primetime television, there is a promotion operating out of Moscow that has quietly become one of the most watched bare knuckle fighting brands on the planet. Top Dog Fighting Championship -- known simply as Top Dog FC or TDFC -- is the first and largest bare knuckle boxing promotion in Eastern Europe, and its raw, visceral presentation has built a global audience numbering in the millions.
Founded by Danil "Regbist" Aleyev, Top Dog FC began as a grassroots operation in Moscow and has since grown into a professionally structured promotion that holds numbered events in major Russian arenas, streams internationally through its own platform, and has attracted crossover stars from the worlds of heavy metal music and combat sports alike. This is the complete guide to Top Dog FC's major events -- the shows that defined the promotion, the champions who built its legacy, and the spectacles that put Russian bare knuckle fighting on the global map.
The Origins: How Regbist Built an Empire
Danil "Regbist" Aleyev is the founder, promoter, and occasional competitor within Top Dog FC. A former rugby player (his nickname "Regbist" derives from the Russian word for rugby player), Aleyev launched Russia's first organized bare knuckle fighting promotion at a time when the concept was virtually unknown in Eastern Europe. The early events were raw and intimate -- fighters competing in sweatpants, surrounded by hay bales rather than traditional ring ropes, with crowds packed so tightly around the fighting area that spectators stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the corners.
This aesthetic was not a limitation. It became the brand. Top Dog FC's intimate, no-frills presentation created an atmosphere of controlled chaos that resonated powerfully with audiences both in-venue and online. The hay bales, the sweatpants, the close-quarters crowd energy -- these elements distinguished Top Dog from the more polished American and British promotions and gave the events an authenticity that viewers found irresistible.
The early numbered events (Top Dog FC 1 through roughly Top Dog FC 20) established the promotion's format and built its core roster. Bouts are contested over three two-minute rounds with no gloves, and championship fights extend to five two-minute rounds. Every fighter on the roster comes from a trained combat sports background -- boxing, kickboxing, or MMA -- which separates Top Dog from street fighting exhibitions. The fights are technical, fast-paced, and frequently brutal.
The Rise to Prominence: Events 20-29
As Top Dog FC moved through its second and third years, the production quality increased while the raw aesthetic remained. Events in this range saw the promotion establish formal championship divisions, introduce tournament formats, and begin streaming internationally through the Top Dog TV platform (topdogfc.tv). The YouTube channel became a primary growth engine, with fight highlights and full event replays drawing millions of views and building an international fanbase that transcended language barriers.
The heavyweight division emerged as the promotion's marquee attraction during this period, largely due to the dominance of one man: Oleg "Fomich" Fomichev. Fomichev's combination of size, technical skill, and devastating power made him the promotion's most feared champion, and his rivalries -- particularly with Igor "Imelya" Ionov -- became the storylines that drove attendance and viewership for the major numbered events.
The middleweight division also produced compelling champions, with Naim "Samurai" Davudov emerging as one of the most dominant titleholders in the promotion's history, successfully defending his belt multiple times against top-ranked contenders.
Top Dog FC 30-34: The Arena Era Begins
The events numbered in the 30s represented Top Dog FC's transition from intimate club shows to major arena events while maintaining the atmosphere that made the promotion unique.
Top Dog FC 32
Top Dog FC 32 featured a middleweight championship main event that showcased the depth of the promotion's talent pool. Middleweight champion Naim "Samurai" Davudov put his title on the line for the fourth time against Magomed "Black Cobra" Magomedov. The fight demonstrated why Davudov had become one of the most respected champions in the promotion -- his defensive awareness, counter-punching ability, and championship composure were on full display against a dangerous and determined challenger.
Top Dog FC 33
The main event of Top Dog FC 33 brought one of the most anticipated rematches in promotion history. Undefeated light-heavyweight champion Oleg "Fomich" Fomichev faced his nemesis Igor "Imelya" Ionov in a long-awaited championship showdown. The Fomichev-Ionov rivalry had been simmering for years, and this fight -- billed as a must-win for both men -- delivered the intensity that both the Moscow crowd and the international streaming audience demanded.
Fomichev's record in Top Dog FC includes victories over fighters such as Maxim Litvinets, Emin Rahib, and Roman Azarov, building a resume that established him as arguably the greatest champion in the promotion's history.
Top Dog FC 35-36: Expanding Geography
Top Dog FC 35
Top Dog FC 35 marked a continuation of the promotion's strong event schedule, with the full broadcast running just over two hours. While specific card details for this event are not widely documented in English-language media, the event contributed to the promotion's consistent output schedule -- a pace of roughly one to two events per month that keeps fighters active and fans engaged.
Top Dog FC 36 -- Ice Palace, Saint Petersburg (May 10, 2025)
Top Dog FC 36 was a landmark event for the promotion's geographic expansion. For the first time in this era, Top Dog moved beyond Moscow to the Ice Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city. The event ran nearly four hours -- a broadcast duration of 3:57:55 -- indicating a stacked card that gave the Saint Petersburg audience a comprehensive showcase of the promotion's talent.
The move to Saint Petersburg signaled that Top Dog FC's ambitions extended beyond its Moscow base. By bringing events to Russia's other major population centers, the promotion demonstrated that its fanbase was national, not merely local.
Top Dog FC 37 -- CSKA Arena, Moscow (July 5, 2025): The Alex Terrible Event
Top Dog FC 37 was the promotion's most high-profile event to date, and it represents the moment that Top Dog FC became a talking point in the global combat sports conversation. The event was held at CSKA Arena in Moscow, a modern multi-purpose venue capable of hosting thousands of spectators, and it was headlined by one of the most unlikely crossover fights in bare knuckle history.
Main Event: Danil "Regbist" Aleyev def. Alexander "Alex Terrible" Shikolai -- Decision (Catchweight, 80 kg)
Alexander Shikolai, known worldwide as Alex Terrible, is the vocalist of Slaughter to Prevail, one of the most popular deathcore bands on the planet. With millions of followers across social media platforms, Alex Terrible brought a level of mainstream attention to Top Dog FC that no amount of marketing spending could have purchased.
The bout was contested at a catchweight of 80 kilograms against none other than Regbist himself -- the founder and spiritual leader of the entire promotion. The symbolism was obvious: the outsider celebrity against the man who built the house from the ground up.
The fight was a bloody, grueling affair. Alex Terrible emerged from the bout battered and bruised, sharing photos of his war-torn face on social media in the aftermath. Regbist, the more experienced bare knuckle fighter with a record of 16-4 heading into the bout, won by decision. But the result was almost secondary to the impact. Metal media outlets worldwide -- Knotfest, Lambgoat, Loaded Radio, The Metal Verse, Chaoszine, The Prp -- covered the fight extensively. Bare knuckle fighting was suddenly being discussed in music publications, and Slaughter to Prevail's fanbase was introduced to the world of Top Dog FC.
Co-Main Event: Oleg "Fomich" Fomichev vs. Igor "Imelya" Ionov III -- Heavyweight Championship
The trilogy fight between heavyweight champion Fomichev and mandatory challenger Ionov served as the co-main event, and it was billed as a "battle of titans." Three fights deep into their rivalry, both men understood each other's tendencies intimately, making for a chess match layered atop raw physical violence.
Title Fight: Chingis "Khan" Salbyryn vs. Dmitriy Spivak II -- Bantamweight Championship
Undefeated bantamweight champion Chingis "Khan" Salbyryn defended his title against Dmitriy Spivak in their rematch, adding another chapter to one of the promotion's most competitive divisional rivalries.
The PPV Model
Top Dog FC 37 was available internationally as a pay-per-view event through the Top Dog TV platform, priced competitively to attract the global audience that Alex Terrible's involvement guaranteed. The event demonstrated the promotion's ability to package and sell its product beyond the Russian market.
Top Dog FC 38 -- Tatneft Arena, Kazan (August 9, 2025)
Following the success of the CSKA Arena event, Top Dog FC continued its geographic expansion with Top Dog FC 38 at Tatneft Arena Ice Sports in Kazan. The event broadcast ran nearly three hours (2:57:56), suggesting another full card. Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan and a city with deep combat sports traditions, represented another strategic market for the promotion.
What Makes Top Dog FC Unique
The Aesthetic
No promotion in bare knuckle fighting looks or feels like Top Dog FC. The hay bales that form the ring barrier, the fighters in sweatpants rather than traditional trunks, the crowd pressed tight against the action -- it creates a visceral, almost gladiatorial atmosphere. This is not an accident. It is a deliberate brand choice that communicates authenticity and rawness.
The Talent
Unlike some underground or semi-professional fight organizations, every Top Dog FC fighter comes from a legitimate combat sports background. Boxers, kickboxers, MMA fighters -- the roster is stocked with trained athletes who have adapted their skills to the bare knuckle format. The technical level is high, the pace is relentless, and the finishing rate reflects the absence of padding on the fists.
The Digital Strategy
Top Dog FC has been remarkably effective at building its international audience through digital platforms. The YouTube channel features fight highlights, full events, and behind-the-scenes content that has drawn a global viewership. The promotion's own streaming platform (topdogfc.tv) handles pay-per-view distribution for major events, allowing fans worldwide to watch live.
The Promotion's Champions
Top Dog FC's championship structure mirrors that of more established promotions, with recognized champions across multiple weight classes. The key titleholders who have defined the promotion include:
- Oleg "Fomich" Fomichev -- Heavyweight champion and the promotion's most dominant force, with multiple successful title defenses and victories over the division's top contenders.
- Naim "Samurai" Davudov -- Middleweight champion with four title defenses, known for his technical precision and championship composure.
- Chingis "Khan" Salbyryn -- Undefeated bantamweight champion who has cleared out his division.
The Global Impact
Top Dog FC's significance extends beyond its Russian fanbase. The promotion has demonstrated that bare knuckle fighting has universal appeal -- that the rawness and intensity of ungloved combat resonates across cultures, languages, and borders. In a global bare knuckle landscape increasingly dominated by American and British promotions, Top Dog FC represents a distinct alternative: a promotion that has grown organically from the grassroots up, maintained its aesthetic identity through its expansion, and built a loyal international following without compromising on what made it compelling in the first place.
The Alex Terrible crossover event at CSKA Arena proved that Top Dog FC can attract mainstream attention without abandoning its core identity. As the promotion continues to expand to new Russian cities and grow its international pay-per-view business, it remains bare knuckle fighting's best-kept secret -- though given the trajectory, that secret is rapidly getting out.
What Comes Next
With events now spanning Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Kazan, Top Dog FC's geographic footprint within Russia continues to expand. The promotion's consistent output schedule -- running well over 30 events as of 2025 -- ensures a steady stream of content for its digital platforms and a constant pipeline of competitive fights for its roster. The question facing Top Dog FC now is whether it will pursue expansion beyond Russia's borders, potentially staging events in Central Asia, the Middle East, or even Western Europe, where the appetite for raw combat sports continues to grow.
For now, the hay bales and the sweatpants remain in Moscow, and the world is watching.
For more on the global bare knuckle fighting landscape, read our analysis of The State of Underground Fighting in 2026. For coverage of other no-rules fighting events, see our guide to KOTS Major Events.