"Critiquing the Cage" Who Are They: Oleg Taktarov

Oleg Taktarov is a Russian mixed martial artist, known for his style of Sambo and Judo. He competed in both the UFC and Pride fighting Championships, holding notable wins over Mark Kerr, Marco Ruas, David Abbott and many more. Taktarov has never been submitted in a MMA fight, a feat that many mixed martial artists never achieve, staying relaxed during fights and performing athletic sambo takedowns.

In April 1995, Oleg entered the UFC 5, and was coined the “Russian Bear.” Despite injuring his knee before the tournament, Taktarov competed in and won his first fight, but was defeated in the semi-finals. Holding the record for the fastest submission in UFC history against Anthony Macias, Taktarov submitted Macias in twelve seconds at UFC 6, becoming the tournament Champion.

Taktarov, being the reigning tournament champion, was set up to fight his friend and reigning UFC Champion Ken Shamrock in UFC 7 for the UFC Superfight Championship. The fight ended in a draw after an amazing performance put on by both men. In his most famous non-UFC fight, Taktarov faced Renzo Gracie in the MARS Reality Fighting event. He lost by KO, while trying to defeat Gracie by leg submission.

After temporarily retiring from mixed martial arts, Taktarov took on acting, starring in movies Bad Boys II, Air Force One, and many others. Prior to making a successful comeback to MMA in 2007, Taktarov's last bout was in 2001.

"Logic Behind the Leather" Who Are They: Willie Pep

Guglielmo Papaleo, better known as “Willie Pep,” is one the greatest featherweights that has competed in the boxing ring.  Pep boxed an astounding 241 bouts during his career, with a final record of 229-11-1, including 65 knockouts.  He was known for his impeccable speed and slick moves, out boxing many of his opponents.

Pep started his professional career in 1940, beating fellow featherweight, James McGovern, by way of decision.  In 1938, unbeknownst to him, Pep was matched up against Sugar Ray Robinson in Norwich, CT.  Pep was told that he would be fighting an unknown, unskilled fighter, which he “quickly learned otherwise once the bout began.”  Robinson defeated Pep by decision. 

His rise to become a featherweight great came when be defeated the reigning Featherweight Champion, Abe Denner, for his New England Featherweight Championship.  Pep then went on a 52-0 run before he was afforded the chance to fight for the World Featherweight Championship, defeating Chalky Wright, and becoming the new Champ.

Retiring in 1960, Pep made a brief comeback in 1964, retiring for good two years later.  He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990 and voted number one featherweight of the 20^th Century by the Associated Press and ranked the number 1 featherweight of all-time by the International Boxing Research Organization (IBO), in 2005.

Willie Pep died on November 23, 2006, but will always be remembered as the Greatest Featherweight in boxing history.