Ernesto Hoost
On September 23, 2005 at the K-1 World GP Final Eliminations in Osaka Dome, Japan he faced Rickard Nordstrand from Sweden the replacement fighter of four time World Champion Ernesto Hoost who had to pull out due to a leg injury. Ruslan won the fight by unanimous decision and earned his first appearance at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2005 Finals.