Vladimir Putin -- Gets 8th Degree Black Belt ... Just For Kicks

Vladimir Putin is even more dangerous ... earning his 8th degree black belt in a form of karate ... so says the Russian news media.

The 62-year-old President of Russia is a student of Kyokushin -- a stand-up, full contact form of karate ... in which fighters do not wear head gear. Head strikes are also banned in competition.

Putin is pretty skilled in martial arts -- having earned his 9th degree black belt in taekwondo back in 2013. Plus, he's also a heavy duty judo enthusiast.

Meanwhile, President Obama practiced taekwondo in Chicago from 2001 to 2004 ... but only earned a blue belt.

Not like it's a competition or anything ...