Sherdog Prospect Watch: Bogdan Gnidko

Tudor LeonteDec 21, 2022


At 21, Bogdan Gnidko has already positioned himself as a rising star in the light heavyweight division thanks to nine straight first-round finishes. Fighting out of Kyiv, Ukraine, Gnidko features an impressive killer instinct combined with an aggressive fighting style. The Kratos Team representative is currently fighting under the KSW banner, where he made waves by scoring the fastest knockout in the organization's history. Gnidko, 9-0, boasts an impressive finishing rate of 100%.



While Gnidko is undoubtedly a heavy hitter, he also has remarkable skills on the canvas. Three of his wins have come by submission, also showcasing variety in his offensive arsenal by employing a guillotine choke, an armbar and a rear-naked choke to force his opponents to tap. The same versatility applies to striking, where Gnidko is as lethal with his kicks as his punches. His cardio has yet to be tested, as he has never fought beyond the three-minute mark of the opening frame.



Gnidko made his mixed martial arts debut on Dec. 7, 2019, when he was 18 years old, scoring a submission triumph over Vladimir Romanyk. In the span of two years, he fought seven times and collected as many wins in regional Ukrainian organizations. Gnidko then joined KSW, where he made an impact in his promotional debut with a five-second victory over Damian Piwowarczyk at KSW 73 on Aug. 20. In his latest appearance, he was matched against a fellow heavy hitter, Romania’s Madalin Pirvulescu. The fight was short and convoluted, featuring an inadvertent low blow from Gnidko to Pirvulescu. Once Pirvulescu recovered, Gnidko attacked with more fury until a head kick wobbled his foe. Gnidko followed up with a series of punches, knocking out his opponent, and referee Marc Goddard called the end of the fight after just 38 seconds. In 2023, Gnidko will have to confirm his status as a surging title contender and, hopefully, get his title shot before the end of the year.