Former champ Shlemenko to run for Russian parliament in September

Less than 24 hours removed from a court ruling that allowed him to resume competition in the United States, Alexander Shlemenko announced that he plans to run for local parliament in his native Omsk.

Russian state-run media outlet Tass.ru reported that the former Bellator middleweight champion and M-1 Global Grand Prix titleholder is currently collecting the necessary signatures to become an official nominee for for a deputy position in the Legislative Assembly.

"In Omsk, I support a lot of people who are waiting for change and believe in me, so I made the decision [to nominate myself], Shlemenko told Tass.ru." We have collected almost all the signatures."

The State Duma contains 450 seats and is elected for a five-year period. The legislative elections will be held on September 18. Shlemenko plans to represent the Omsk region but will run as an independent candidate from the second constituency.

Shlemenko is not the only combat sports athlete to venture to the State Duma this year. Buvaisar Saitiev, renowned as the greatest freestyle wrestler of all time, is running for the deputy chair in Khasavyurt, Dagestan.