Igor Vovchanchyn

Report Last Updated - 12/01
Birthdate - 8/6/73
5'11" 200 lbs. - Harkov, Ukraine
Team - none
Style - Kickboxing

Career Highlights -
- Makes it to the finals of the tournament at AFC 2 by beating Sergei Annin and Adilson Lima
- Beats Alexander Otsuka, Gary Goodridge, and Kazushi Sakuraba to make it the finals of the Grand Prix
- Defeats Enson Inoue at Pride 10 by decision
- Scores a decision victory over Mark Kerr at Pride 12
- Beats Gilbert Yvel with a surprising chokehold at Pride 14

Striking - Igor Vovchanchyn is a knockout puncher and that single aspect has helped him become a feared brawler. He will use kicks and knees when the opportunity arises, but it is his big right that he sets up. Though he is one of the best strikers in the MMA game, Igor is not a World Class kickboxer.

Wrestling - Though he is a brute a can push people around a good wrestler can have their way with Vovchanchyn. He knows the Guard and will use it when taken to the ground, but he cannot use it to bring about offense like Jiu-Jitsu masters can. The Ukrainian is powerful and can often brute his way out of holds. The only position Vovchanchyn is always looking for is a mount, where he can explode with punches.

Hooking - The striker struggled on the ground in his early NHB fights, but he quickly adapted. Though he would not look for submissions, unless they presented themselves, Vovchanchyn did what he had to in order to win. More recently, he has used grappling against other strikers to get strange, but convincing wins.

Strengthes - Vovchanchyn is a power puncher and that is what he goes to each and every time. He has become compitant on the ground, but cannot win there. The Ukrainian has become excellent at keeping grapplers at bay and assaulting them when they get in close and is good at counter attacks as well.

Weaknesses - Vovchanchyn's style is developing, but his lack of skill in wrestling and knowledge of holds hurts him. If he grounded, he struggles, but luckily he is becoming a more well-rounded fighter. If a superior kickboxer could get some MMA experience, Vovchanchyn could meet a very tough opponent.

Outlook - Igor Vovchanchyn is certainly one of the premier fighters in the world and arguably the top striker. Igor will probably continue to meet the most elite strikers and the world and continue to develop his submission skills. Vovchanchyn will be a fixture in Pride for a few more years.