Leonid Gatovskiy (first Russian BJJ Black Belt and leader Lion Baza club Russia) famously defeated Khabib in a grappling match in 2009.
Leonid is actually a BJJ black belt under Renzo Gracie:
Be sure sure to check out our interview with Leonid HERE
Their grappling match:
There have been various Grapplers who have tested themselves by grappling wild animals. Khabib Nurmagomedov himself wrestled with a bear cub when he was growing up. Another Dagestan UFC, Zabit Magomedsharipov also sparred with a goat:
Zabit MagomedSharipov Spars with a Goat To Keep His Skills Sharp
So this was normal for Leonid Gatovskiy to try grappling with a lioness! Leonid (name’s origin comes from Lion) has after all named his BJJ academy: Lion baza BJJ.
Check this out, the Lioness was not messing around!
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