Sergey Novikov is the president of the Federation International Amateur Unifight (FIAU). He also serves as president of the all-Russian public organization the Russian Fight Sports Federation and the president of the children's Martial Arts club.

He is a heavyweight judo Olympic Champion in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal; a fourteen time USSR sambo (unarmed self-defense) and judo champion; and a six time European sambo and judo champion. He holds a post-graduate degree in Education.

Sergey Novikov was born in Moscow in 1949. He is a graduate of Kiev Physical Education Institute and Kiev Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He holds degrees in Education and Law.

He launched his sports career at the age of 15 when he joined the Kiev Dynamo sports club in 1965. For many years he represented this sports club around the world winning major competitions, prizes and titles.

In 1977, Sergey Novikov transferred to the Dynamo sports club in Moscow. Three years later, in 1980, he finished his sports career to pursue a position in public service.

In 1996, he oversaw the creation and development of a new sport, known in Russia as the Russian Fight, and Unifight around the world.

In September 2001, Novikov was elected president of the newly created Federation International Amateur Unifight. In December 2000, the Federation International Amateur Unifight was registered in France.