Alona Kurhanova ready in the octagon during an MMA event. (Photo: Julio Garcia/Naranjito 707 Fight Photography)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

MMA Win

North Battleford athlete finds success in mixed martial arts after fleeing Ukraine

Apr 3, 2024 | 1:45 PM

Far from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s bombardment of her home country, a young woman is finding her place in North Battleford and dominating in the octagon after moving to Canada just over a year ago.

Alona Kurhanova, who has recently had a string of wins – most notably her amateur mixed martial arts debut at Unified MMA 56 in Edmonton last month – knows what it is to be a refugee of war.

Born and raised in Melitopol, Ukraine, the athlete first discovered freestyle wrestling at a young age.

“It was in Grade 5, I just watched some movies about some army stuff, like ‘Oh, I want to try this’ but first I need to do some sports,” she said.

Studying under her first coach for the first five years of her training, she eventually ended up under the tutelage of a coach who was in charge of the Ukrainian Freestyle Wrestling National Team before moving into mixed martial arts (MMA).

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When the war broke out two years ago, and her city was under occupation, her training was interrupted and she, like millions of others, evacuated.

“I moved to Poland first for one month, after I moved to Czech Republic, I lived there 10 months and I worked there, lived and no training,” she said.

Once Kurhanova arrived in Canada, she lived in Regina for a time before finally making her way to the Battlefords – and arriving at the door of the Green Dojo – after discovering its existence through Google Maps.

“She brings such a great energy to the team and a work ethic that’s contagious and makes everyone in the room better,” said Matt Fedler, one of her trainers.

The athlete was introduced to MMA back in her country prior to the war but it was while training at the dojo, that her training began in earnest with the addition of Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai.

“Jiu Jitsu, it’s so close to wrestling, not the same but close, so I [was] like, ‘OK, I’ll try this one because I think I will be good in this one,’” she said.

Eight months later, she is undefeated after receiving double golds in her first Sask BJJ (Saskatchewan Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) Provincial Championships and double golds at the SACA Kickboxing Tournament – the latter of which took place exactly two years to the day from the start of the Ukraine war.

Fedler said the team couldn’t be happier for her success.

“It’s an inspiration to everyone in the gym, just knowing the situation that Alona’s come from and how she’s handled it with nothing but class,” he said.

While there are always events to compete in, right now Kurhanova is taking a rest after a busy last couple of months but continues to train.

“She’ll train with all the guys that are twice her size and still you know, still best them, yeah and so, her against someone her own size, I bet on Alona every time,” Fedler said.

As for her true passion, wrestling is still first for her.

“It’s like my nature more,” she said.

Kurhanova plans to continue to stay in her adopted community and continue training and looks forward to “more wins.”

Fedler said that regardless of what she chooses to do with her future, Kurhanova will do well.

“On top of the tremendous work ethic and attitude is a tremendous athlete as well. I really think the sky’s the limit for her.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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