#NFRoundup

NF Roundup Blog, March 15 - March 21

By United World Wrestling Press

The Russian National Freestyle Championships wrapped up over the weekend in Ulan-Ude. Although arguably the top pound-for-pound wrestler in the world Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) was released from the competition, '19 world champions Zavur UGUEV, Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV and Zaurbek SIDAKOV were in action.

The biggest storyline from the competition came at 74kg where two-time reigning world champion Sidakov scored three points in the final 12 seconds to defeat Individual World Cup champion Razambek ZHAMALOV, 3-2. After the bout, the newly-minted champion said,  "I haven’t had anything more difficult than today's championship."

Russian National Finals Results
57kg: Zavur UGUEV df. Nachyn MONGUSH, 9-5
61kg: Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV df. Muslim METIKHANOV, 4-1
65kg: Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV df. Zagir SHAKHIEV, 5-3
70kg: Israil KASUMOV df. Evgeny ZHERBAEV, 6-3 
74kg: Zaurbek SIDAKOV df. Razambek Zhamalov, 3-2 
79kg: Malik SHAVAEV df. Akhmed USMANOV, 6-4
86kg: Artur NAIFONOV df. Dauren KURUGLIEV, 1-1  ⠀
92kg: Magomed KURBANOV df. Anzor URISHEV, via forfeit
97kg: Alikhan ZHABRAILOV df. Aslanbek Sotiev - 5: 0
125kg: Sergey KOZYREV df. Atsamaz TEBLOYEV, 3-3

Wrestling Playlist: Best of Olympic champ Sidakov..

By United World Wrestling Press

Zaurbek SIDAKOV is undoubtedly one of the most clutch wrestlers in the world. From winning gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and the three world titles, Sidakov has again and again won matches in dying seconds.

He managed to beat Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) in thrilling fashion, twice, during his world title runs in 2018 and 2019. He then defeated Kyle DAKE (USA) in a jaw-dropping final at the 2023 World Championships final.

While his 2025 season was marred by injuries, Sidakov still managed to win bronze at the World Championships and silver at the European Championships.

The playlist includes his win over Burroughs, his training at the European Championships and his bout against Chermen VALIEV (ALB).

WATCH THE SIDAKOV PLAYLIST HERE

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