Paul Buentello vs. Kiril 'Baby Fedor' Sidelnikov Affliction fight set for Jan. 24

by James Iannotti on Nov 14, 2008 12:42 PM EST

Heavyweights Paul "The Headhunter" Buentello (26-10) and Russian Sambo specialist Kiril Sidelnikov (4-2) have been signed to compete on the under card of Affliction: "Day of Reckoning," which is set for the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on January 24, according to SI.com.

"The Headhunter" also competed on Affliction's first card back in July, outscoring last minute replacement Gary Goodridge on the judges scorecards to earn a unanimous decision victory. He was originally scheduled to face Aleksander Emelianenko, but the Russian was forced out of action after having trouble getting cleared by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

Over his past 13 fights Buentello has only dropped two contests -- one was for a shot at Andrei Arlovski's UFC heavyweight title back at UFC 55 and the other was at the hands of Alistair Overeem last November on a Strikeforce card.

The 20-year-old Sidelnikov -- who is sometimes referred to as "Baby Fedor" because of his nationality and skill set -- is nowhere near the experience level of a guy like Buentello, but certainly has the talent to prevail in this fight.

All six of his professional fights have been under the M-1 banner. He dropped a decision loss to Jarno Nurminen (4-1) back in June, and had previously lost by doctor stoppage to Antonio Mendes (15-3) last July.

Neither of these guys are shy about trading punches, meaning this one shouldn't disappoint. This should be a solid addition to another stacked Affliction card.

Along with the light heavyweight showdown between Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Vladimir Matyushenko, this fight will be aired on the HDNet portion of the event's under card telecast.

The main card for Affliction: "Day of Reckoning" will air live on pay-per-view (PPV), beginning at 10 p.m. ET on fight night. For more on that fight card click here.

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Comments

I’m not familiar with Kiril at all. But that guy doesn’t look old enough to drive! lol. If his nickname is Baby Fedor, he’s gotta be one bad mofo!

by chefdaddy on Nov 14, 2008 12:57 PM EST reply actions

You can find a bunch of his fights on youtube

by zheka. on Nov 14, 2008 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuNvmsHejkM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS4ZnsFbTg&feature=related
blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bubJVfVMc8M&feature=related
this kid is real good

by roy on Nov 14, 2008 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

4-2 record? Not that impressive.

by DDT on Nov 14, 2008 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

Remember how much hype (little Cro-Cop) got? And he turned out to be just another decent fighter! So just cause his nickname is (Baby Fedor) doesnt mean hes the next best thing. At 4-2 I’ll wait and see!

by JV on Nov 14, 2008 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

what do you mean he turned out to be? he is only 19 so he hasn’t stopped growing or getting better yet, it will be years before we see him peak and than we will see what he turns out to be.

by roy on Nov 14, 2008 2:30 PM EST up reply actions

If you guys watch his fights expecting to see Fedor then you will be dissapointed. THe kid is young and its all about potential that he has for the FUTURE!!!

Still this kid is a bad mofo, and I doubt that Buentello will be able to knock him out. Cant wait to see how much of a underdog Kiril is because I am betting on him for sure.

His 2nd loss (mendes) was BS. Kiril was working him and they stopped it due to a silly cut! The kid has the potential to be a bIGTime fighter!

who was baby cro cop?

by john on Nov 14, 2008 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

john, Zelg Galesic was/is called little Cro-Cop. And roy thats why I said “I’ll wait and see” I realize hes only 19.

by JV on Nov 14, 2008 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

I’ve seen a couple older Kiril fights online, but I have also seen him fight on TV in the M-1 challenge twice so far. I seen him beat some huge guy, but then I also seen him lose to Jarno Nurminen by decision. Jarno wasn’t even a very good fighter, he just seemed to be a decent wrestler and Kiril had no answer to his takedowns.

I had high hopes for Kirl and was very dissapointed to see him lose. He was the ONLY fighter from Team Red Devil to lose at that event.

by ViolentMike on Nov 14, 2008 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

my bad, i thought you where talking about baby fedor not baby cro cop, if that where me i would not want either of those nick names

by roy on Nov 14, 2008 3:18 PM EST up reply actions

I wonder if there was some truth to having to sign other Red Devil fighters if you want Fedor fighting for your company. How many have signed with Affliction?

by naturalshadow on Nov 15, 2008 2:35 AM EST up reply actions

this card just keeps getting better

by roy on Nov 14, 2008 1:07 PM EST reply actions

Lil Nog v Matyushenko should be awesome. Their first fight, Nog took it on a few days notice and got LnP hard (ok maybe he was outwrestled but still).

by NameNotRequired on Nov 14, 2008 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

shouldn’t someone with the nickname “Baby Fedor” be undefeated. Buentello by KO

by FukStyck on Nov 14, 2008 1:16 PM EST reply actions

Really…so you don’t even think you could beat Fedor when he was a baby? Now that is respect.

I am pretty sure I could beat Fedor all the way up until he was about 12, then he would start kicking my ass.

by noneed4name on Nov 14, 2008 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

Fedor isn’t undefeated, did you forget?

by IhitU.uHITfloor on Nov 14, 2008 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

Except anyone with any real MMA knowledge knows the loss was BS. For all intents and purposes, no one has ever even come close to beating Fedor in MMA.

by noneed4name on Nov 14, 2008 2:10 PM EST up reply actions

No Name, watch the Arona fight! But watch it without being biased!

by JV on Nov 14, 2008 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

You mean the fight Fedor won? Do I need to be biased to say that? Gimme a break.

by noneed4name on Nov 14, 2008 7:32 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah my bad, Fedor ony won that by unanimous deicsion. I suppose now he has to knock out or submit eveyrone to be undefeatred. Please. If there is bias it is you JV.

by noneed4name on Nov 14, 2008 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah my bad, Fedor ony won that by unanimous deicsion. I suppose now he has to knock out or submit eveyrone to be undefeatred. Please. If there is bias it is you JV.

by noneed4name on Nov 14, 2008 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

considering hes 19 thats not a bad record. gotta figure he’s fighting people with 10 more years experience. ill give him the benefit of the doubt and say kiril by tko rd 1.

by evan on Nov 14, 2008 1:32 PM EST reply actions

Geez…God forbid a young guy actually fights some half decent, quality opponents, and has some losses on his record. Maybe he should line up a bunch of bums, KO them, then have a sqeaky clean record. What’s worse?

by introvert on Nov 14, 2008 2:56 PM EST reply actions