Pat Smith vs Buvaisar Saitiev - Saitievs Rise

At the 1995 Yarigan finals, Pat Smith stepped onto the mat with an unknown Russian, Buvaisar Saitiev. Smith was coming off of 4 NCAA titles and was looking like a favorite to make the 1996 Olympic team, whereas Saitiev was 20 and had yet to win a world title.
This clip is from our 5-part audio documentary, Slaying Saitiev.
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Slaying Saitiev explores Brandon Slay’s improbable win over Russian star, Buvaisar Saitiev, at the 2000 Summer Olympics - a match that is widely considered one of the biggest upsets in Olympic wrestling history.
Directed by the same team that brought you The Smiths, Slaying Saitiev also chronicles both Slay and Saitiev’s careers leading up to that magical match in Sydney Australia.
Listen to all 5 episodes of Slaying Saitiev: linktr.ee/WrestlingChangedMyLife

[@marcdejong929]

Greetings from Chechnya. Saitiev's home!

[@ultimateathletejiu-jitsu1944]

I've always liked how Pat explains techniques and his story telling is always great.

[@minhquando100]

The Saitiev brothers were the definition of skill matters more than strength and muscles.

[@Arminsaf2]

I mean I’m sure they were insanely strong lol every world level guy I’ve gone with is literally world class strong. Like clearly different from other levels

[@jeff6133]

“Saitiev looks like a librarian”😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@skymanchronicles8936]

Good comparison between Saitiev and John Smith! My two favorite freestylers of all time.

[@henkvanderstoep9381]

The leverage Satiev had was just incredible. Made it look so easy. Defenitely one of the GOAT.

[@WrestlingChangedMyLifePodcast]

No doubt! Checkout the documentary we just launched on Saitiev and Slay: Slaying Saitiev

[@user-xl2ic5bx8c]

The GOAT

[@jeff6133]

THE GOAT

[@bowrudder899]

GOAT means greatest of all time. He is certainly the greatest of modern times. We don't have video of the ancient Greeks.

[@fancyAlex1993]

A legend showing his tribute to another legend.

[@amelieviennot5570]

Adam saitiev would be a close second if not the best ever, adam was his little brother and was wrestling at a weight class that wasnt his just to not face his older brother, he won the olympic gold medal in sydney against an opponent 20 pounds heavier

[@MihirS84]

Yes..that opponent was none other than the deadly Cuban missile...Yoel Romero

[@kineticsage8137]

How did they decide who went up in weight? Is there an interview where either or both of them discuss it?

[@zaurozdamirov8341]

@@kineticsage8137

[@chaelsonnen2311]

It’s a shame so few ppl saw this clip. Amazing story and Pat didn’t know Kurt’s name is Kurt.

[@johnnybeefum]

As Chris Jericho once said, "Kirk Angel"

[@mattroth2072]

I was about to say shades of chael sonnen then I saw your name 😂

[@stevenhaff3332]

Truly a superlative wrestler! Saitiev was a wonder.

[@splintchesthair100]

Awesome

[@chrislaverick6413]

That’s interesting that he mentions his hands, from what I have seen and from what others have told me when they wrestled saitiev, is that his hand fighting was far beyond anything that anybody’s ever experienced, if you grabbed him he would go limp noodle on you so you couldn’t pull him and then he would immediately disengage and reengage with God like strength, I’ve always wanted to experience it