Khadzhimurat Gatsalov

Khadzhimurat Soltanovich Gatsalov (Хаджимурат Солтанович Гацалов, born December 11, 1982) is a Russian wrestler.

He won the gold medal in the freestyle 96 kg class in the 2004 Summer Olympics, defeating future UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier in the semi-finals. He won five world medals in the 96 kg class at the FILA Wrestling World Championships. In 2013, he moved up to the 120 kg class and won a gold medal at the FILA Wrestling World Championships. He started his senior level competitive career at 84 kg in 2002 before moving up to 96 kg and 120 kg.

In 2014, Gatsalov became Cormier's training partner ahead of Cormier's fight against Jon Jones at UFC 182.

As of November 2022, Gatsalov was appointed as the head coach of the Russian National Freestyle team.