Monson returns to Russia to win

American MMA veteran Jeff Monson has held his second straight bout in Russia, with Saint Petersburg bringing him a lot more luck than Moscow.

­Before his clash with Ukrainian fighter Aleksey Oleinik, Monson said that he was fully recovered after Fedor Emelianenko broke his leg in the Russian capital back in November.

And the Snowman managed to prove his words in the ring, winning by a unanimous decision after three rounds of action, which mainly involved wrestling.

Monson, who’s been in the MMA since 1997, has collected his 43rd career victory.

Another highlight of the major M-1 Challenge event in Saint Petersburg was Aleksandr Emelianenko’s match against Tadas Rimkevicius of Lithuania.

The Russian, whose elder brother Fedor was ringside, dominated in the first five minutes, but like it sometimes happens to him –  got carried away.

As a result, Rimkevicius knocked his opponent down with a lefthander when there were just seconds remaining in the round.

But Aleksandr came back strong in the second round, grabbing a KO victory after a series of hooks with both hands.

It was his 19th professional win and 12th knockout for the younger Emelianenko.