Alexei Ulianov comes from the Kuzbass region of Siberia, in Russia's far east. 

It's a hard place - geographically and economically - with most of the region's workforce being involved in the coal-mining industry in some way.

For those who don't want to spend their lives working underground there are few routes out: sport is one, which perhaps explains why the Kuzbass Muay Thai team has been able to consistently produce so many world-class fighters, including GLORY light-heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov and former GLORY middleweight champion Artem 'The Lion' Levin.

Having started trainign with the team in his teens, Ulianov competed as an amateur before turning professional. A good run in Russia's TATNEFT Cup - a prominent kickboxing competition sponsored by Russia's second-biggest energy company - got his name known to the international circuit and thereby onto GLORY's radar.

Outside of the ring, Ulianov and his wife have one child, a daughter, and he says his favorite way to relax is to take his little girl on walks in the countryside.