Back to the MMA Newsfeed

An in-depth look at shady billionaire who attempted to buy the UFC and now promotes Fedor in Russia

Karim Zidan investigates the shady billionaire who failed to purchase the UFC but now promotes Fedor Emelianenko in Russia.

Russian oligarch share many things in common: ostentatious behavior, lavish lifestyles, and questionable pasts are some of the ones that come to mind. Few, however, can be found in a Moscow gym, dressed in a tracksuit, training with professional fighters.

Ziyavudin Magomedov is not your average Russian billionaire.

Born and raised in Dagestan, Ziyavudin emerged from a troubled childhood on the streets of Makhachkala to become one of the republic's most prosperous businessmen. According to Forbes, he is the chairman of Summa Group, a "conglomerate invested in port logistics, engineering, construction, telecommunications, and oil and gas.