{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Updated at:

MMA icon Jeff Monson to call it quits after next bout in June

Jeff Monson and Fabio Maldonado will meet in the octagon in the Russian capital of Moscow on June 28

MOSCOW, May 24. /TASS/. US-born Russian citizen and MMA star Jeff Monson told TASS on Friday that he will retire after his next bout against Brazilian fighter Fabio Maldonado in late June.

"The fight against Fabio Maldonado will be the last of my career. After that I will only hold exhibition bouts," Monson said.

Monson and Maldonado will meet in the octagon in the Russian capital of Moscow on June 28.

Maldonado, 44, boasts a professional career record of 28 wins (19 by KO, two by submission, seven by decision) and 17 defeats (eight by KO, two by submission and seven by decision). His most recent fight was against Russia’s Kirill Sidelnikov on July 1, 2022, when he lost by technical knockout.

Jeffrey William Monson, 53, dubbed "The Snowman," hails from the state of Minnesota in the United States. In his MMA career, Monson has fought 85 times, chalking up 60 wins. He is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion. His last fight was in Belgorod, Russia, on October 22, 2016, when he defeated Russian fighter Alex "Bizon" Kardo, using a chokehold.

Monson also told a TASS correspondent that his touted rematch against Russia’s famous MMA fighter Oleg Taktarov is not on his schedule anymore.

"We wanted to have a rematch. It is obvious today that this bout will not take place," Monson said.

Monson and Taktarov fought each other in a boxing match on August 18, 2023, with the bout ending in a draw. A source on Monson’s team announced to TASS in late November 2023 that both fighters would meet for a rematch on December 15, but this time to square off under MMA rules. Monson disclosed later that the bout had been postponed indefinitely.

Russian fighter and international movie star Oleg Taktarov, aged 56 and dubbed "The Russian Bear," has a record of 17 wins, five defeats and two draws. In addition to winning the sixth Ultimate Fighting Championship MMA event (UFC-6) in 1995, Taktarov has appeared in numerous Hollywood movies, including "Air Force One," "Predators," "Bad Boys 2," "Righteous Kill" and numerous others.

Monson announced to TASS last September that he had been elected to a seat in the regional parliament of the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan following Russia’s Single Voting Day elections.

The US-born MMA fighter was granted Russian citizenship in May 2018 and in September of that year was elected to the Council of Deputies (City Council) in the Krasnogorsk District, Moscow Region, an inner suburb of the neighboring City of Moscow.

Monson is known for his love of Russia and its Soviet past. On many occasions, he has appeared in the ring to the strains of the Soviet national anthem. In 2016, he was awarded the title of honorary citizen of Abkhazia; in 2017, he became a citizen of the Lugansk People’s Republic in the Donbass region.

Russia wins 33 gold medals on fourth day of BRICS Games

The Russian team also won 28 silver and 18 bronze medals

Putin appoints Titov his envoy for relations with international organizations

This position was occupied by Anatoly Chubais in 2020-2022

Battlegroup Center improves tactical position in 24 hours — Russian Defense Ministry

"Four counterattacks by assault groups of the 23rd, 110th mechanized and 68th ranger brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces were repelled," the ministry added

Hezbollah leading region to dangerous escalation — Israeli army spokesman

According to the Daniel Hagari, Hezbollah's actions "jeopardize the future of Lebanon" and play into the hands of Hamas radicals

Ukraine ready to pay West in people’s organs for military assistance — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the Kiev regime is rapidly turning the country into a global hub of human organ trafficking

NATO to build three large bases to supply weapons to Ukraine, Orban says

The Hungarian Prime Minister expressed concern that should these bases be built in Poland, Romania, Slovakia and other Ukrainian neighbors they will "become military targets"

Nearly half of Volchansk in Kharkov Region liberated by Russian troops

The head of the regional military-civilian administration added that all of the enemy’s counterattacks in the area end up for the Ukrainian military with heavy losses amid personnel and military hardware

Final document of conference in Burgenstock backed by 80 countries out of 91 — organizers

Among the countries that supported the document are includes Switzerland, Turkey, EU countries and the USA

Ukrainian troops in Volchansk will soon be trapped in a pocket — Russian lawmaker

As the State Duma deputy Viktor Vodolatsky noted, despite the fact that it is a small city, it is heavily fortified

Evidence of US-financed biological program in Ukraine revealed by Russian defense ministry

According to the spokesman, information was received from employees of Ukrainian biolaboratories that especially hazardous pathogens: plague, anthrax, cholera, tularemia and other lethal diseases infecting agents had been urgently destroyed on February 24

US rejects WTO, puts pressure on competitors — Putin

"It is enough to look at how they are draining European economies that are balancing on the brink of recession," the Russian leader stressed

German politician calls for heeding Putin's initiative for Ukraine

Ukraine's long-term nuclear-free status and renunciation of NATO membership ambitions, Sahra Wagenknecht said, are Russia’s demands that are easy to understand

Putin made it clear that conditions for peace in Ukraine will be set by Russia — opinion

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with senior officials of the Russian foreign ministry on June 14 that a peace solution to the Ukrainian conflict is impossible without Russia’s participation and an honest dialogue with it

Russia wins 33 gold medals on fourth day of BRICS Games

The Russian team also won 28 silver and 18 bronze medals

Participants in Swiss forum on Ukraine may be charged for adopted initiatives — diplomat

Switzerland is hosting a conference on Ukraine in the resort town of Burgenstock on June 15-16

Resolutions of conference on Ukraine senseless without Russia — lawmaker

The conference in Switzerland has predictably failed, said Russian lawmaker

Engagement between both parties needed for peace in Ukraine — Indian foreign ministry

India was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Pavan Kapoor

NATO holds consultations on putting nuclear weapons on alert — chief

Jen Stoltenberg refused to go into operational details about how many nuclear warheads should be operational and which should be stores

Danish F-16’s to be priority target for Russian forces if supplied to Ukraine — MP

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said earlier after a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that Kiev expects Denmark to supply F-16 fighter jets in the near future

Obama leads frozen Biden off stage — Republican Party

Former US President had to help Joe Biden to find the exit after his speech, said representatives of the National Committee

There may be no Ukraine in 50 years due to US betrayal — Tucker Carlson

US is selling off lands in Ukraine to foreign investors, and will flood country with third-world migrants, journalist stated

Russia to give military-technical response if F-16 jets appear over Ukraine — Lavrov

Russia had presented "a very serious demarche" within the framework of the UN Security Council panel "nuclear five" in connection with the possibility of F-16 aircraft being prepared for transfer to Ukraine to carry nuclear weapons

Kiev uses army as cannon fodder in attempts to straighten frontline near Kharkov — expert

Andrey Marochko also said that in Volchansk and Liptsy "the situation is very complicated," as the enemy is constantly moving manpower and military equipment there

Tourist exchanges between Russia, North Korea gain traction — minister

Russian Natural Resources and Environment Minister Alexander Kozlov also said that the Moscow Zoo and ballet dancers recently paid a visit to North Korea

Bern sees no problems with Putin’s participation in potential conference on Ukraine

According to Swiss President Viola Amherd, such exceptions are possible when the participation of government officials in conferences are needed

Pentagon not denying report on its discrediting of Chinese vaccines

US military also said that it counters China in the information space

Almost all BRICS leaders confirm participation in Kazan summit, Lavrov says

Over 250 events are expected to be held as part of Moscow’s BRICS Presidency, which will culminate in the group’s summit in Kazan in October

G7 decision on Russian assets to expedite independent payment system creation — expert

It would be interesting to see how G7 leaders would explain to third countries invited to their summit that Russia is an exclusion and such practice would never be used against India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia or any other state, Melkulangara Bhadrakumar noted

First regiment of S-500 air defense systems to defend Moscow — source

The S-500 will replace the S-400 Triumph air defense system

About 20 NATO countries involved in conflict in Ukraine — lawmaker

"I believe they are in a state of war with Russia," Sergey Tsekov said

Russia to continue establishing buffer zone until Ukraine stops shelling attacks — Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier in the day that Russia offers a new peace proposal on settling the conflict in Ukraine

Kiev recognizes need for talks with Moscow to resolve conflict

Both sides' voices need to be heard to settle the conflict, Dmitry Kuleba said

Trump attributes presence of Russian ships at the port of Havana to Biden's weakness

Former american president added that neither Russian President Vladimir Putin nor other foreign leader have any respect for Joe Biden

Lavrov urges West to listen to Putin as 'nothing good' came out of disregard before

The top Russian diplomat said he is unaware of the US desire to have official communication with the Russian Foreign Ministry

Yekaterinburg makes final pitch to host Expo 2025

Alexander Chernov, Director General of World Expo 2025 Ekaterinburg Bid Committee, inoted that an admission ticket will cost some $17

Press review: G7 to tap iced Russian assets for Ukraine loan and BRICS candidates unveiled

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, June 14th

Four settlements in Kursk Region shelled by Ukrainian troops during past day

Drone attacks were reported near the Krupts crossing and in the villages of Troitskoye and Sergeyevka

Russian MP slams Burgenstock conference’s document as void and dead

Addressing the closing ceremony, Swiss President Viola Amherd admitted that different viewpoints had been voiced during the conference

Moscow Exchange not to trade euro, US dollar since June 13

These changes will cover the stock market, the currency market, and the standardized derivatives market; the futures market will operate as usual

Unfreezing of Russian assets tied to peace process, support for Ukraine — Meloni

The G7 said in the joint statement that Moscow should pay Ukraine for damage, which the World Bank estimates at $486 billion

Some Ukrainian legislators begin to discuss Putin’s peace proposal — Duma speaker

"Actually, according to our information received over the parliament’s channels, some Verkhovna Rada deputies have already begun doing that," Volodin added

British Navy reports a new attack on a ship off the coast of Yemen

Vessels are advised to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity to the UKMTO

Ukraine conference in Switzerland risks failing short — Bloomberg

Аgency pointed out that the meeting’s attempts to find a path for a "just peace" may be futile

Russian team wins 160 medals during first three days of BRICS Games

The competition will end on June 23

Putin’s peace initiative being last chance to save Ukrainian state — politician

"The peace proposals returns not only the peace to Ukraine but also rights of Ukrainian citizens," Viktor Medvedchuk said

Russian Foreign Ministry to implement president's orders to a tee — Lavrov

"Because everyone understands that the fate of our country depends on this, the fate of our people and, to a certain extent, the fate of the whole world," the top Russian diplomat noted

Ukrainian drone shot down over Krasnodar Region — defense ministry

At about 10:00 p.m. Moscow time (7:00 p.m. GMT) on June 16, 2024, another Kiev regime’s attempted terrorist attacks on facilities in Russia’s territory with the use of a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles was thwarted

State Department does not comment on not allowing Scott Ritter to leave US

"We cannot comment on the status of the passport of a private U.S. citizen," a State Department spokesperson told TASS

Former Austrian Foreign Minister Kneissl confirms West’s plans to split up Russia

Some people in the Atlantic Council, and this is not only Americans, but also British, even German and Austrian scholars, said that Russia could be divided just as the Federation of Yugoslavia was divided

Russia not going to fight against everyone — Putin

The head of state has repeatedly said that Russia has never refused from talks, unlike the Ukrainian side

No one waits for Armenia, Ukraine to join European Union — Medvedev

Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council warned that the ‘mountains of gold,’ including membership in the European Union, were offered to Yerevan in exchange Armenia’s complete loyalty

Retailers staying in Russia intend to work here "for a long time" — expert

The growth of retail trade turnover in Russia by the end of 2024 could reach around 7-8%, Igor Karavaev noted

Cuban President comes to Havana port where Russian ships stay

The event is closed for the press

Kremlin has nothing to say to participants of Swiss summit on Ukraine

The Swiss authorities plan to hold the conference on Ukraine on June 15-16 at the Burgenstock resort

Russia makes another real peace proposal to Kiev — Putin

Vladimir Putin emphasized that Russia's plan would mean ending the conflict once and for all, not freezing it

BRICS leaders not to attend conference on Ukraine in Switzerland

Brazil, India, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa will send delegated to the event

Hostage takers in Rostov detention center eliminated, hostages safe — authorities

A criminal case has been opened into the hostage taking

Number of supporters of Burgenstock final document reduced to 78

Two countries has been removed from signing final communique

Kazakhstan is switching to new form of political system — incumbent President Tokayev

He also announced cardinal reforms of the country’s economy

Conference on Ukraine reveals differences in viewpoints — Swiss president

The final communique of the conference was supported by 80 out of 91 participating countries

Putin’s proposals need to be discussed to save world — diplomat about Swiss forum

Putin put forward new peace proposals seeking to resolve the conflict in Ukraine

Document of Ukraine’s surrender to be Russia’s next proposal to Kiev — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposals were realistic

US, South Korea, Japan may sign agreement to combat nuclear threat — minister

The agreement could be reached before the inauguration of the next US president in January 2025

President of Cuba visited Russian warships

"Welcome, friends from Russia," Miguel Diaz-Canel said

Biden didn't freeze on stage, he greeted crowd — White House spokesman

Repuplicans' interpretation of Biden's actions inLos Angeles is wrong, Andrew Bates said

Criminals who took hostages in Rostov accused of preparing terrorist act in 2023

As the court found, being followers of a radical ideology, Akiyev, Gireyev and Tsitskiyev voluntarily united to commit terrorist crimes

Mass graves of civilians with traces of torture found in Avdeyevka

DPR’s emergencies services told TASS earlier that tens of thousands of munitions had been disposed of in Avdeyevka

Conference in Burgenstock calls for Ukraine’s sovereignty over ZNPP

The communique was not signed by 13 participating countries

Ukrainian parliament will not oppose against Zelensky on peace proposals — politician

"They are fully under external control of the collective West," Viktor Medvedchuk said

Russian warplanes deliver strikes on four militant hideouts in Syrian mountains

Over the past day, Syrian militants attacked pro-government forces’ positions in the Idlib de-escalation zone nine times

Press review: G7 pushes EU to tap Russian assets and BRICS sends strong message to West

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, June 11th

Georgian Legion POWs say they were trained by NATO instructors — video

The ideology of the Georgian Legion, the POW said, was Russophobia: "kill Russians and do not to take prisoners"

Russia considers options for opening banks in Africa — diplomat

"This depends not only on Russia, but also on the interest of African partners, as well as legal features, the national regulatory framework," Maria Zakharova pointed out

Peace process without Russia inconceivable — Swiss president

Amherd said that in Burgenstock, they "will be making that first crucial step. It is up to us to make sure it is followed by a second."

Rosatom constructing 39 power generating units overseas — CEO

The cost of building the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey provisionally stands at $24-25 bln

Iran calls on G7 not to link conflict in Ukraine to its relations with Russia

The spokesperson emphasized "Iran's unwavering commitment to human rights"

NATO chief, Zelensky’s reaction to Putin’s peace proposals quite predictable — Kremlin

This was not a warning, neither was it an ultimatum as Zelensky nervously took it, Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov said

Ukraine loses up to 495 troops in Russia’s Battlegroup West responsibility zone

The adversary has also lost three armored fighting vehicles, nine motor vehicles, five howitzers, a self-propelled artillery system and a Grad combat vehicle

Seismic exploration equipment first big test conducted on Franz Josef Land

The researchers have conducted aerial photography of Cape Melekhov, analyzed digital terrain models and orthoimages

Zelensky should think about Putin’s peace proposal, Kiev’s situation’s worsening — Kremlin

Peskov stressed that "every time Putin voices peace initiatives and when attempts are made to enter the political and diplomatic channel, there are certain conditions on the ground, each time they worsen for Ukraine."

France turns down Russian request to hold UNSC meeting on downed plane Wednesday — mission

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting at 3:00 p.m. local time (8:00 p.m. GMT) on Wednesday

Putin slams statements about Russia’s intention to attack Europe as ‘absolute nonsense’

According to the Russian president, it is not Russia that poses a danger to Europe, but its dependence on the US

Houthis claim Verbena vessel attacked by them sinks in Gulf of Aden

Attecked ship "is at risk of sinking in a few hours," the Houthi spokesman said

New Russian regions not going back to Ukraine, end of story — Putin

"The people of the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions expressed their position in referendums," the Russian president reiterated

Ukrainian lawmaker says conference in Switzerland was a failure

According to the Ukrainian lawmakers, the conference in Switzerland was not meant to look for ways of settling the conflict

West to stop Kiev from responding to Putin’s peace initiatives — politician

"So the collective West is losing more than acquiring from the standoff with Russia," Viktor Medvedchuk said

Russia ranked world’s second largest military power — GFP

More than 60 individual criteria were factored into the rankings, including the number of military troops, financial and logistics capabilities, as 145 world powers were considered

G7 decision to use seized Russian assets for Kiev’s needs is illegitimate — envoy Antonov

Anatoly Antonov noted that the loan proposed by the G7 for Ukraine is secured by stolen money, and the United States is trying to force its satellites to take responsibility for it.

Russia reunites children with Ukrainian families

Some children were returned through third countries, while others were sent directly to Ukraine or to their parents in EU countries

United Russia to hold international inter-party forum in Vladivostok

Delegations from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Laos, Tajikistan, Thailand, Venezuela and other countries will take part in the forum

Russian troops approached Kiev in 2022, but no decision to storm city was made — Putin

That was actually an operation to force the Kiev regime into peace, the Russian president explained

Conference on Ukraine in Switzerland is a trial of Russia — lawmaker

The senator noted that the countries participating in the conference know the statements that Russian President Vladimir Putin made on June 14 at a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Foreign Ministry and they are discussing them

Russia ships about 25,000 tons of wheat to Cuba

The ceremony of handing over a batch of wheat took place on the territory of the cargo terminal of the port of Havana

Putin presents Hero of Russia medals to ‘Alyosha’ T-80 tank crew in Kursk Region

Russian President pointed our that the awards will be presented to Lieutenant Alexander Levakov and Corporals Filipp Evseyev and Alexey Neustroyev

Expert says ‘sanitary zone’ in Ukraine should be 300 kilometers deep

it should be enough to make sure that US, French and British-made long-range weapons don’t reach Russia, including the country’s new regions, Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of Russia’s National Defense magazine told TASS

Sweden says Russian military aircraft violated its airspace

The Swedish Armed Forces claim that they had to scramble two JAS-39 Gripen fighters to force the military jet to leave the country’s airspace

Senior Russian lawmaker slams latest US sanctions, sees confidence in dollar cracking

In Vyacheslav Volodin's view, economies can see now that the United States uses the dollar "as an instrument of political pressure"

Russian government approves list of unfriendly countries and territories

The countries and territories mentioned in the list imposed or joined the sanctions against Russia after the start of a special military operation of the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine

Russia categorically against West's attempts to 'play nuclear card' — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat stressed that "an alliance is being shaped between the United States, South Korea and Japan" on the Korean Peninsula

Trump vows to halt ‘never-ending’ payments to Kiev if winning election

Ex-US President repeatedly stated earlier that he would be able to stop the conflict in Ukraine in case of his return to the White House

Ukrainian law bars president’s term from being extended — Putin

"The court ruling was final and not open to appeal," the Russian president said