Kirill Dmitriev has stated that Moscow is actively working on bringing events back
Work is being done to bring UFC events back to Russia, President Vladimir Putin’s economic aide, Kirill Dmitriev, said in a Telegram post on Sunday, signaling renewed efforts to restore ties with global mixed martial arts.
“We are working on the return of UFC tournaments to Russia,” said Dmitriev, who is also the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).
Dmitriev’s statement comes amid ongoing talks between Moscow and Washington. He met with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg earlier this week.
The RDIF head has publicly backed the return of UFC events to Russia before. In early March, he urged Russian fans to “follow the news and believe” in the return of tournaments, shortly after a victory by Russian fighter Magomed Ankalaev, who became the nation’s first UFC light heavyweight champion. Ankalaev defeated Brazil’s Alex Pereira by a unanimous decision in five rounds at UFC 313 in Las Vegas.
UFC President Dana White has also said the organization could return to Russia if diplomatic relations between Washington and Moscow improve. “Trump and Putin have to figure this thing out, you know what I mean? Then we’ll do it,” White told fans during a tournament appearance, according to a video posted on YouTube.
Despite international sanctions, Russian fighters have remained active in global MMA. In February 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that sports federations bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions. While Russian athletes were excluded from most international events as a result, major MMA promotions – including UFC, Bellator, and One FC – chose not to follow the guidance and continued allowing Russian fighters to compete.
Since 2018, RDIF and several international co-investors have partnered with UFC Russia to develop the mixed martial arts (MMA) industry in the country. Three UFC tournaments were held in Russia between 2018 and 2019.
How Ovechkin’s 895th goal may influence international politics
A powerful shot, the puck crosses the goal line, the siren sounds, and a legend throws his hands up in the air while the crowd at the UBS Arena in New York explodes in cheers. Both American and Russian fans rejoice, as the man scores his 895th goal.
It happened – on April 6, 2025, Alexander Ovechkin, playing for the Washington Capitals, scored against fellow countryman Ilya Sorokin, the goalie for the New York Islanders, to set an all-time NHL record.
This moment will be etched in the memories of millions of fans; it will be recounted for decades to come. “Cool, but how does this help Russia?” people who aren’t into sports may ask. Ovechkin’s “timeless” record means a lot for Russia. Here’s why.
Ovechkin’s record could help mend US-Russia relations
During a phone call on March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump discussed hockey and the possibility of organizing games between Russian and American players. Why did the two leaders discuss this? Perhaps they were talking about Ovechkin’s dizzying success in Washington. It’s no secret that the Kremlin keeps a close eye on Ovechkin, and during his last speech before his inauguration, Trump referred to the Russian hockey star as a “great player”.
Moscow and Washington share something in common: hockey and the legendary Ovechkin. Moscow nurtured his talent, spotting and cultivating his skills, giving him his start in professional hockey, while Washington has become Ovechkin’s second home – the city where he has become an NHL legend.
Russians adore Alex Ovechkin, and Americans love him just as much. The Russian embassy in the US has noted that “literally all of America” rallied behind Ovechkin’s quest to break Wayne Gretzky’s seemingly untouchable record. Consequently, the embassy noted that interest in holding a match between Russian and North American teams has surged.
Ovechkin is a living “bridge” connecting two hockey capitals – two seemingly different worlds united by their love for this thrilling game. Today, with Russia sidelined from many international competitions, the NHL remains a rare platform where Russian players remind the world of the excellence of Russia’s hockey tradition. Ovechkin’s record is a shining testament to this. Achievements such as his help maintain an informal dialogue between nations, proving that sports can sometimes transcend political barriers and create opportunities for conversation even among adversaries. Ovechkin’s 895th goal is something that both countries can be proud of and admire. It’s part of their shared history.
Ovechkin’s status as a record-holder could theoretically play a significant role in bringing Russian hockey back to the international stage. Following Ovechkin’s record, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may again allow Russia to participate in international events, including the 2026 Olympics. The return of the Russian national hockey team, one of the strongest in the world, led by Ovechkin, would further increase global interest in hockey and popularize broadcasts of the game, subsequently boosting revenues for both the IIHF and IOC.
At the ceremony celebrating his record, Ovechkin proudly exclaimed, “All of you fans, the whole world, Russian, we did it, boys, we did it!” So why not invite Russian boys to participate in next year’s Olympics in Italy? Vladislav Tretiak, the president of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, has already expressed hope that Ovechkin will be able to compete for Team Russia in 2026, and wished him success.
Ovechkin’s record could spark a “Hockey Boom” in Russia
In the Soviet Union, during the era of legends like Valery Kharlamov, Vladislav Tretiak, Boris Mikhailov, Vladimir Petrov, Alexander Yakushev, and Alexander Maltsev, hockey was an essential part of life, a cultural cornerstone for the Soviet people. Virtually every Soviet household attentively watched the 1972 Summit Series against Canada. While Ovechkin’s record might not have the same sweeping impact, it is sure to boost the sport’s popularity in Russia, inspiring kids to play hockey and one day break their idol’s record. Coincidentally, in 2026, Moscow will open the Alexander Ovechkin Academy.
“Launching this project, I want to achieve an important goal – share my experience, skills, and knowledge with new generations of talented hockey players in the country,” Ovechkin said.
In March, Ovechkin also said that he plans to return to his hometown team, HC Dynamo Moscow, next year. Just imagine how popular this would make the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)! Tickets for Dynamo games would be sold out.
Time will tell whether these optimistic predictions come true, but it’s already clear: Alexander Ovechkin’s record isn’t just an achievement; it’s a landmark event that could usher in a new era for hockey in Russia and around the world.
This article was first published by the online newspaper Gazeta.ru and was translated and edited by the RT team
