Mikhail Zayats

Mikhail Zayats (Михаил Заяц;born October 14, 1981) is an ethnic Russian former professional mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator's Light Heavyweight division. He has also competed in M-1 Global.

M-1 Global
Mikhail Zayats defeated powerful Georgian wrestler David Tkeshelashvili by rear-naked choke submission at 2:26 in the first round.

Zayats faced Malik Merad on April 28, 2011, at М-1 Challenge XXV: Zavurov vs. Enomoto. He won via TKO (punches) in the second round.

Zayats faced Vinny Magalhães on October 14, 2011, at М-1 Challenge XXVII: Garner vs. Grishin for the M-1 Global Light Heavyweight Championship. He lost via TKO (head kick and punches) in the third round.

Bellator MMA
Zayats was signed in Bellator and will perform on Bellator Fighting Championships: Season Eight Light Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round in 2013 on Spike TV.

In his Bellator debut, Zayats faced Brazilian MMA legend and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Renato Sobral in the Light Jeavyweight Yournament on January 17, 2013, at Bellator 85. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

In the semifinal, Zayats faced Jacob Noe. This fight is expected to occur on February 21, 2013, at Bellator 90. He won the fight in dominant fashion, ending it with an armbar submission in the first round.

Zayats faced Emanuel Newton on March 28, 2013, in Bellator Season Eight Light Heavyweight Tournament at Bellator 94. He lost via unanimous decision. Post-fight, Zayats confirmed that he suffered a rib injury just days before the fight. The injury would keep him out of the upcoming Bellator Summer Series.

Zayats faced Aaron Rosa on October 11, 2013, at Bellator 103. He won the fight via Kimura submission.

Zayats entered into the Bellator season ten Light Heavyweight tournament on February 28, 2014. He faced Muhammed Lawal in the semifinals at Bellator 110 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts

 * Bellator MMA
 * Bellator Season Eight Light Heavyweight Tournament Runner-Up
 * M-1 Global
 * M-1 Challenge 2008 Championships.

Ju-Jitsu

 * Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF)
 * Ju-Jitsu European Champion.

ARG (Army Hand-to-Hand Combat)

 * Russian Union of Martial Arts
 * Russian National Champion of Army Hand-to-Hand Combat

Sambo

 * All-Russian Sambo Federation
 * Combat Sambo Russia National Champion.
 * Federation International Amateur de Sambo (FIAS)
 * 2008 FIAS World Combat Sambo Championships Gold Medalist.