10 UFC Veterans That Challenge Their Age

If there was ever a fighter to embody the term ‘veteran’, it’s Aleksei Oleinik.

At the age of 42, the Ukrainian-born Russian is tied with Fabricio Werdum for the oldest active athlete in the heavyweight division. But when it comes to fight frequency, very few come close to Oleinik. Since beginning his professional fighting career in 1997, The Boa Constrictor has amassed 63 fights, across promotions including Bellator, M-1 Global, ProFC, KSW, and YAMMA Pit Fighting.

Since making his UFC debut in 2014, Oleinik has consistently competed inside the Octagon two to three times a year, with 2016 the only one in his UFC tenure to only feature one fight. The 42-year-old holds an impressive 8-2 record in the UFC, despite facing high-level competition throughout. Notably, wins against knockout-artist Mark Hunt, former-contender Travis Browne and in May of this year, former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, have established the submission-specialist as a respected name in the division.

The competition keeps coming for the long-serving heavyweight, as an expected bout with Derrick Lewis in August demonstrates another stiff test.