Andrey Koreshkov Bio
Andrey Andreevich Koreshkov is a Russian mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He is the former Bellator Welterweight World Champion and fights out of Omsk, Russia, where he trains with RusFighters Sport Club under coach Alexander Shlemenko. Known in the cage as “The Spartan,” Koreshkov built his reputation on a striking-first style rooted in pankration, the Russian combat sport that blends striking, grappling, and wrestling.
Early Life and Background
Andrey Koreshkov was born on August 23, 1990, in Omsk, Omsk, Russia, then part of the Russian SFSR within the Soviet Union. He grew up in the Siberian city where he still lives and trains, and he began his athletic journey in the regional combat sports scene that produced several top Russian fighters. Koreshkov has been awarded the title of Master of Sports in ARB (Army Hand-to-Hand Combat), reflecting his early grounding in structured military-style fighting systems before he transitioned fully to mixed martial arts.
He trained under the guidance of veteran Russian fighter Alexander Shlemenko, a longtime Bellator veteran who became one of the most influential figures in Koreshkov’s development as a fighter and tactician. Through that mentorship, Koreshkov developed the disciplined, well-rounded game that would later carry him to a world title on one of the sport’s biggest stages. His early exposure to multiple grappling and striking disciplines laid the foundation for the aggressive, finish-oriented style he is known for today.
Path to MMA
Koreshkov made his professional mixed martial arts debut in October 2010, fighting exclusively in his native Russia at the start of his career. During this period, he compiled an undefeated 8-0 record, with five technical knockouts and three submissions, and none of those fights going to the judges’ scorecards. The run drew the attention of international outlets, and the MMA news site Bloody Elbow listed Koreshkov as the top welterweight prospect in their 2012 MMA scouting report.
His rapid rise in Russia and recognition from U.S.-based media set the stage for his transition to the international stage. In January 2012, it was announced that he would make his United States debut with Bellator MMA, the country’s premier organization outside the UFC. That move marked the beginning of his ascent toward the Bellator welterweight title.
Andrey Koreshkov Career
Early Career (2010-2011)
Koreshkov opened his professional career in October 2010, fighting across regional Russian promotions and stacking finishes at a remarkable rate. His early fights showcased a finisher’s mentality, and every one of his first eight bouts ended inside the distance. The streak established him as one of the most talked-about young welterweights coming out of Russia at the time.
By the end of 2011, the unbeaten run had pushed him onto the radar of larger international promotions, leading directly to his Bellator opportunity in 2012.
Bellator MMA Breakthrough (2012-2016)
Koreshkov made his U.S. and Bellator debut against Tiawan Howard at Bellator LXIII on March 30, 2012, and he won by knockout in the first round. He followed that up with a third-round TKO of Derrick Krantz at Bellator LXIX in May 2012, and a unanimous decision win over Jordan Smith at Bellator LXXIV in September 2012, advancing through the season-seven welterweight tournament. Koreshkov then knocked out Marius Zaromskis in the semifinals and outpointed Lyman Good in the final via unanimous decision to win the tournament and earn a title shot.
That title shot came against undefeated champion Ben Askren at Bellator 97 on July 31, 2013, and Koreshkov was stopped by TKO in the fourth round. He rebounded by entering the Bellator Season Ten Welterweight Tournament in March 2014, stopping Nah-Shon Burrell in the first round at Bellator 112. After opponent changes, he knocked out Justin Baesman with a flying knee in the first round at Bellator 118 and defeated Adam McDonough by unanimous decision in the tournament final at Bellator 122, securing his second Bellator tournament title and another shot at welterweight gold.
On July 17, 2015, at Bellator 140, Koreshkov challenged Douglas Lima for the Bellator Welterweight Championship and won by unanimous decision to become the new champion. He made his first title defense against former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at Bellator 153 on April 22, 2016, dominating the fight and earning a unanimous decision. His reign ended in the Bellator 164 main event on November 10, 2016, when Lima stopped him by knockout in the third round in their rematch.
Post-Title Years and Later Bellator Run (2017-2023)
After dropping the title, Koreshkov stayed active and dangerous. He stopped Chidi Njokuani with punches and elbows in the first round at Bellator 182 in August 2017, and knocked out Vaso Bakocevic with a spinning back kick to the midsection in the first round at Bellator 203 in July 2018. He then entered the opening round of the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix at Bellator 206 in September 2018, where he lost to Lima by rear-naked choke in the fifth round.
In 2019, Koreshkov headlined Bellator 219 against Mike Jasper after Lorenz Larkin withdrew, winning by unanimous decision, and later dropped a split decision to Larkin at Bellator 229 in October 2019. While Bellator had no events booked at the start of 2021, he stayed sharp with a first-round armbar win over Adriano Rodrigues at AMC Fight Nights: Sochi in February 2021, before returning to Bellator at Bellator 264 in August 2021 with a unanimous decision over Sabah Homasi. After a cancelled bout with Rustam Khabilov and a win over Chance Rencountre at Bellator 274 in February 2022, he defeated Leonardo Cavalheiro via second-round TKO at Shlemenko Fighting Championship 4 in June 2022. He closed his Bellator chapter by beating Lorenz Larkin via split decision at Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 on July 30, 2023.
PFL Era (2024-Present)
Koreshkov made his PFL debut against Magomed Umalatov at PFL 3 on April 19, 2024, and lost by unanimous decision in a fight where he had to survive heavy pressure. He bounced back at PFL 6 on June 28, 2024, winning a unanimous decision over Goiti Yamauchi. On February 11, 2025, PFL officially revealed that Koreshkov would join the 2025 PFL Welterweight Tournament, and he opened the bracket against Jason Jackson at PFL 1 on April 3, 2025, where he was caught in a rear-naked choke and lost by technical submission in the second round.
Style and Strengths
Koreshkov is a pankration-based fighter whose game is built on aggressive, high-volume striking, sharp kicking attacks, and underrated grappling. He has repeatedly shown the ability to end fights with spectacular techniques, including flying knees and spinning back kicks, while also being capable of finishing opponents on the ground. His long partnership with trainer Alexander Shlemenko and his home base at RusFighters Sport Club have helped him stay disciplined and tactically sharp through a long career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments are his second Bellator tournament win at Bellator 122, capturing the Bellator Welterweight Championship from Douglas Lima at Bellator 140, and his title defense against former UFC champion Benson Henderson at Bellator 153. His first-round spinning back kick knockout of Bakocevic at Bellator 203 and his first-round finish of Chance Rencountre at Bellator 274, which broke five ribs and punctured a lung, stand out as the most dramatic finishes of his career.
Andrey Koreshkov Career Wins
Across Bellator, the regional Russian circuit, AMC Fight Nights, and Shlemenko Fighting Championship, Andrey Koreshkov has stacked wins against a deep list of international opponents. His record reflects a finisher’s mindset, with most of his victories coming before the final bell.
Bellator Highlights
Koreshkov won two Bellator welterweight tournaments, captured the Bellator Welterweight Championship by defeating Douglas Lima, and made one successful title defense against Benson Henderson. He also posted notable Bellator wins over Tiawan Howard, Derrick Krantz, Jordan Smith, Marius Zaromskis, Lyman Good, Nah-Shon Burrell, Justin Baesman, Adam McDonough, Chidi Njokuani, Vaso Bakocevic, Mike Jasper, Sabah Homasi, Chance Rencountre, and Lorenz Larkin. His first Bellator win came by first-round KO over Tiawan Howard at Bellator LXIII, and his most recent Bellator win was a split decision over Lorenz Larkin at Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 in 2023.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of Bellator, Koreshkov won his first eight professional fights in Russia without going to a decision, beating opponents by technical knockout and submission. He later added wins at AMC Fight Nights: Sochi over Adriano Rodrigues, at Shlemenko Fighting Championship 4 over Leonardo Cavalheiro, and at PFL 6 (2024) over Goiti Yamauchi.
Andrey Koreshkov Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Koreshkov’s family background is limited, and detailed records about his parents and extended family are not clearly documented in available sources. His career has been closely tied to his long-time trainer Alexander Shlemenko, who has played a mentorship role similar to that of a family figure inside the gym.
Personal Life
Koreshkov resides in Omsk, Russia, the city where he was born and where he continues to train. He has kept his personal and family life largely private, with no confirmed public details about a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Andrey Koreshkov entered 2025 as a confirmed member of the 2025 PFL Welterweight Tournament, having been officially revealed on the roster on February 11, 2025. The tournament format offers him a fresh path back into title contention inside a new organization after several years as a top Bellator mainstay.
His 2025 campaign opened at PFL 1 on April 3, 2025, against Jason Jackson in the tournament’s first round. Koreshkov was caught in a rear-naked choke and lost by technical submission in the second round, putting him in an early hole in the bracket.
Looking ahead from the tournament opening, Koreshkov will look to bounce back inside the 2025 PFL welterweight field. With his finishing tools, his championship experience, and his long relationship with trainer Alexander Shlemenko at RusFighters Sport Club, he remains a dangerous opponent for anyone in the bracket.