July 16 – Saratov, Russia — Azerbaijani pop-MMA fighter Javid Rzayev has been stripped of his Russian citizenship following a controversial incident during a tournament in July 2024, where he reportedly hurled a racial slur at his opponent, calling Artur Kulinsky a “Russian pig.”
The Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Saratov region officially confirmed the decision, citing Rzayev’s behavior as a threat to the country’s political and social stability. “An FSB officer personally notified Rzayev of the revocation,” reported Vecherняя Moskva, quoting security sources.
The slur sparked widespread backlash and prompted authorities to launch an investigation into how Rzayev had obtained Russian citizenship. Although he later issued a public apology — referring to himself as a “brainless ram” — the damage was already done.
Following the incident, the Russian Boxing Federation permanently banned Rzayev from competition. Media reports indicate that the fighter has since been involved in multiple altercations, both inside and outside the ring, some of which led to criminal charges and a court-imposed sentence, according to RT.
The case has reignited debates in Russian sports circles about the conduct of naturalized athletes and the limits of tolerance in combat sports.
