And this list does not include everything! Being one of the trailblazers of the mixed martial arts explosion of the `90s, and having conquered every aspect of the sport, Taktarov decided to try his quick hands at acting. It didn’t take long for him to gain the respect of one of Hollywood’s all-time heavyweights, Robert De Niro, with his scene-stealing performance as a Russian killer out for fame in 2001’s 15 MINUTES.

There is one title that still eludes Taktarov’s reputation, though, and that is the title of being arrogant. Speaking to me by phone from his home in California, the Russian Bear comes across as anything but cocky. Thank God his record speaks for itself, because by talking with him, you’d never know that Oleg has done or seen so much in his lifetime. Oleg, being a man of incredible modesty, informs you about his victories and championships with a very matter-of-factly tone, almost as if he is in disbelief himself of all that he has accomplished.

For a man who has not been speaking English all that long, he holds a command of the language that, in all honesty, is better than most of the kids you find hanging out around the shopping malls of America. I expected him to speak in broken English, but it’s anything but that. After consideration, I realized that when he paused after I asked him questions, it was not because he was trying to figure out what I was saying, but simply, because he wanted to carefully phrase his responses, not like he was trying to say the right word, but like he was searching for the perfect word. If it wasn’t for his accent, Oleg would have no problem blending right in with my buddies and me over a Corona on a Friday night. (And how cool would that be, knocking back some cold ones with Oleg Taktarov at a bar? That would be one night that I’m sure I wouldn’t mind some loudmouth starting trouble with me.)

Naturally, one of the first things that I ask Taktarov is what it was like to work with Robert De Niro.

“It was very easy. De Niro was helpful. More down-to-Earth than probably half the people you know. De Niro is like an animal. He’s very observant. He doesn’t try thing out at first. He watches, makes it his own, then uses it later on. Like anywhere in the world, the better you are, the less you have to prove.”

Although Taktarov was an obvious choice for the role he would later win rave reviews for in 15 MINUTES, until it was officially announced that he had been cast, he could not relax. “They had to try one other person out. I went back to my expensive hotel room and drank all the liquor. I had to calm my nerves. I got so drunk!” He laughs: “When I got back and they announced that I had the part, I grabbed the director and hugged him. I wasn’t holding him to give him a hug, but because I lost my balance and couldn’t stand up on my own.”

Taktarov later went on to act in the remake of ROLLERBALL. There is a legendary story from the set of the film that is probably more interesting than the movie itself turned out to be.

It goes something like this:

Oleg hates cigarette smoke. This is no secret. Everyone knows this, and unless you are looking to die even more painfully than the cancer caused by cigarettes will afford you, you respect the Russian Bear’s wishes. This is, after all, a man that reputably took on two karate black belts simultaneously in a tournament.

Much to Oleg’s approval, there was a “no smoking” policy at the arena where they were filming. Right outside of the Plexiglass panels stood some French-Canadian men, one of whom was puffing away. Since the smoke was blowing right into the arena, Oleg asked kindly for the man to knock it off. The man pretended that he could not speak English.

Big mistake.

Oleg preceded to extinguish the cigarette using the smoker’s own fingers. As Oleg was leaving, the guy started to curse him. Oleg thought to himself, “For a man who was just claiming to speak no English, he certainly has a good grasp on swearing.”

Oleg went back to the man and started shadow boxing. By no means did Oleg mean to harm him, but he wanted to continue his lesson on courtesy. Oleg would stop his hands just millimeters away from the culprit’s face. Lesson learned, point taken. Oleg became somewhat of a hero among the crew on an otherwise tough and strange set.

By the way, for all you Jackie Chan fans out there, Oleg did his own stunts, too. On the set of ROLLERBALL, Oleg tore his cruciate ligament and meniscus tendon. He was forced to stay in the hospital for two days, but finished filming wearing a custom-made knee brace.

During the filming of ROLLERBALL, Oleg and the rest of the actors kept a grueling schedule and would often work until the early hours of the morning. They would meet frequently at a bar after shooting, down some beers and gorge themselves with food. After the initial filming of ROLLERBALL concluded, Oleg went home to California for some much deserved R & R and worked on getting a healthy tan. Reshoots were called for, however, and Oleg’s now bronze glow did not match the previously pale appearance he kept while filming. So what did Oleg do? Exfoliate, of course! In an act of true dedication to the art of filmmaking, Oleg took sandpaper to his body and tried to rub out the tanned layers of skin.

I asked Oleg about his one-time opponent, Tank Abbott, who recently had made a very unsuccessful attempt at a comeback in the UFC’s Octagon. “Tank has lost his fire. I saw that awhile back. He doesn’t have fire anymore. He’s still a good talker, though.”

I pressed Oleg for his opinion on who he thought was an up-and-comer in the sport today. He was quick to respond. “Mark my words, Quentin Jackson will be undefeated for the next ten years. I watched him and asked him what his name was. He said, ‘They call me Rampage.’”

I wondered with all this time Oleg spends with his acting coaches, if he still has time to train, or if he is now retired from professional fighting. “I’m not retired,” he answered. “I train everyday. I’m in incredible shape. I have some things that I work out that I will be able to pull out at any time.”

I was curious if Taktarov gets a lot of challenges on the streets from testosterone-fueled fools looking to make names for themselves. “No. Never. No one starts trouble, especially the last ten years. It’s like in the animal kingdom. Animals know naturally what other animals are more dangerous, which ones not to attack and to stay away from.” He paused. “We give off a certain vibe, and no one bothers me.” (Luckily for them.)

With all the rumblings about Tito Ortiz, another UFC Champion, who has been trained at times by Taktarov, wishing to get out of his UFC contract and into Vince McMahon’s WWE, I wondered if Oleg had ever considered making the transition to “sports entertainment.” “I was offered three times more what they paid Ken Shamrock, but…that’s not something I want.”

Recently, Taktarov was the lead in RED SERPEANT, with Roy Schneider, which is still looking for U.S. distribution, but which will see a theatrical release in his native land of Russia. He can also be seen in this summer’s BAD BOYS 2, where he plays, of all things, an accountant.

What caught Taktarov by surprise, like a guillotine chokehold, were the phenomenal ratings that his recently broadcast FX Original Movie, 44 MINUTES: THE NORTH HOLLYWOOD SHOOT-OUT, earned. Taktarov plays a convincing bank robber in the docudrama, which also stars Michael Madsen (RESERVOIR DOGS) and Ron Livingston (OFFICE SPACE).

“It started out as just an ordinary movie for me. Nothing special at the time.” But much to the delight of Taktarov and the FX Network, the movie saw the cable network’s highest ratings ever.

“After the news, Fox invited me to a party. They approached me about doing a series. When it comes to acting, I’ve learned what it comes down to is it’s all about the numbers.”

Indeed, it’s all about the numbers, and this is yet another victory that Taktarov can add onto his impressive win-loss record. In my opinion, Oleg Taktarov possesses everything it takes to become the first stand-out action star of the new millennium. If you disagree, I dare you to look Oleg in the eyes and tell him that.

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