Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Jeff Monson has spoken to the International Boxing Association (IBA) ahead of the last fight of his career, which takes place at IBA.PRO 21 at the Viktoria Sports Club in Brest, Belarus, on Sunday 25 October.

The 55-year-old, a multiple ADCC Submission Wrestling champion who challenged Tim Sylvia for the UFC heavyweight title in 2006, will face Ivan Sholtoianu (MDA) over four two-minute rounds, bringing to an end three decades in combat sports.

Monson explained that he wants to leave on his own terms.

“I don’t want people to come and watch Jeff Monson and think, ‘He’s not at that level anymore. He can’t really compete.’ I want them to say, ‘He’s 55, but he can still fight.’ Maybe I’m not a champion anymore, but I can still compete. That’s how I want to be remembered,” Monson said.

“A few weeks ago, I was sparring with some young fighters in Yekaterinburg, and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, these guys are the next generation.’ It’s time to hand over the torch,” he added.

Monson’s farewell is part of an international card of professional boxing, MMA and crossover contests, with athletes from eight countries in action.

In the heavyweight division, Vladislav Smyaglikov (BLR) meets Teymuraz Surov (SRB) over six rounds. Smyaglikov represented Belarus at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and reached the finals of the 2019 European Games and the 2024 BRICS Games. Surov is a bronze medallist at the 2026 Russian National Championships and the brother of 2025 world champion David Surov. Both men have already won on the IBA.PRO stage.

Cuba’s Victor Perez (CUB) faces Belarusian Olympian Alexander Rodionov (BLR) over six rounds at 66.7kg in a meeting of two contrasting boxing schools. Unbeaten 25-year-old Igor Sviridchenkov (RUS), a two-time Russian national champion and winner of the 2026 Russian Cup, takes on the experienced Viktar Murashkin (BLR) over six rounds at 71kg.

The card also features a four-round MMA contest at 90kg between Alexander Nekrash (BLR), unbeaten in three IBA Bare Knuckle appearances, and Shoxrux Ilhomov (UZB), a powerful puncher known for his relentless pressure.

IBA.PRO 21 will be broadcast live on the official IBA YouTube channel.