The spectacle is not for the faint of heart: Mineev lost two rounds and knocked out Ismailov in the most anticipated fight of the year

The fight between Magomed Ismailov and Vladimir Mineev in Sochi has become one of the most anticipated and discussed events in Russian MMA over the past few years.

In 2018, the athletes fought their first fight, which ended in a rather controversial draw.

Since then, a real enmity has flared up between them, and with their actions and conflicts, they only further fueled interest in the fight.

It was not easy to determine the favorite, but many believed that the Bald Predator had more chances of winning.

Better readiness and excellent ground work were named among its advantages.

For the Dagestani himself, it was an opportunity to climb a kind of Olympus.

After all, he did everything to become the most popular fighter in the country.

Two victories in “non-native” weight categories won him the status of one of the strongest.

At first, Ismailov was not afraid to climb into a difficult one and in the most discussed confrontation in his career did not leave Alexander Emelianenko a chance.

Then he turned out to be stronger in light heavyweight than Ivan Shtyrkov.

Now Magomed had to take the third step - to return to the profile division and put an end to the dispute with Mineev.

At the same time, it should have earned him the AMC Fight Nights championship belt.

After the 36-year-old athlete could well retire.

Recently, he spoke about such a desire more than once.

Mineev's chances of success were mainly in striking technique, because a profile kickboxer has knockout power.

Like his opponent, after the first fight in 2018, he won four victories, but the level of his opposition turned out to be more modest: Milos Kostić, Diego Diaz, Artur Pronin and Dauren Ermekov.

The latest success helped him take the title.

But Vladimir was much more interested in revenge with Ismailov.

It is no coincidence that the native of Sverdlovsk did everything to challenge the Dagestani to a return duel and eventually achieved his goal.

In addition to the direct fight in the "cage", it was curious whether the members of the opposing teams would resist the collision.

The organizers tried to do everything possible to avoid mass brawls.

AMC Fight Nights President Kamil Hajiyev even promised to fine the fighters for entering the ring by strangers.

The first to appear in the "cage" was the applicant.

The reigning champion followed there.

As soon as he was on the canvas, he headed towards his opponent.

It seemed that at this moment they could come together in hand-to-hand combat ahead of schedule, but the athletes just knocked their fists, greeting each other.

Looking ahead, the revenge took place within the framework of the rules, and the promotion did not have to apply sanctions to anyone.

There was absolute silence in front of the gong in the arena.

The battle began with a protracted reconnaissance.

For about two minutes, Ismailov carefully tried to close the distance, while Mineev just as calmly walked aside.

A couple of times Magomed tried to hit his opponent, and he responded with a sighting low-kick.

The real fight started in the middle of the first round, when the Bald Predator, having made a pass in the leg, issued a takedown.

The owner of the belt, of course, was ready for this and tried to fight with the least damage for himself, realizing that in this component he was significantly inferior to the enemy.

However, sometimes it became scary for him.

The Dagestani took the opportunity and methodically smashed his counterpart's face with his elbows.

As a result, Mineev quickly got a cut.

In the end, Ismailov even managed to get to the mount, but his opponent held out for the gong.

In general, it was noticeable how Magomed, in contrast to the first fight, was trying to save strength.

He did not strive to finish off the opponent by all means and made timely pauses between blows.

The second five-minute session was held in the same vein. The challenger made another pass in the leg and ensured its lateral control. He did not lose the opportunity and inflict damage on the reigning champion on the ground, continuing to attack with his elbows. His blood began to run even harder. Mineev tried to get up and literally clung to the net with his fingers to correct his position. Closer to the end, it turned out to get up, but the Bald Predator made another takedown.

The first two rounds undoubtedly remained with him, but the main intrigue was whether the 35-year-old Dagestan had enough strength for the remaining three. In their first meeting, Ismailov had to literally "survive" in this segment. Unfortunately, for him, nothing has changed in the second. As soon as the fighters resumed the fight, it became obvious that Magomed was struggling to hold on. The opponent felt this and began to strike both with his legs and with his hands. He had a particularly good right high-kick to the head.

Now the Dagestani had to endure frankly.

He tried to escape in his favorite struggle.

The challenger twice walked at the feet of the reigning champion, but he repulsed the attacks calmly enough.

The decisive moment happened a minute before the end, when Mineev pinched the opponent at the net.

It seemed that Magomed should endure until the break, but he began to miss one shot after another with his elbows and knees and simply collapsed onto the canvas.

The judge could only stop the beating.

Thus, the scenario of the first battle was repeated.

In the first two rounds, Ismailov dominated, but he did not have enough strength for more, and Mineev calmly brought the revenge to the end, retaining the belt.

The Dagestani could not come to his senses for a long time, and even had to call doctors into the "cage". A minute later he woke up and even began to smile. The opponent immediately approached him and thanked him for the fight. The Bald Predator himself eventually found the strength to take the microphone and, with difficulty maintaining his balance, turned to those present with a conciliatory speech.

“I do not respect Mineev as a person, but he is a tough athlete.

This does not mean that I do not respect you in life.

There are questions that we need to close.

I still have a grudge.

Today I was well prepared, but he also showed himself perfectly.

I do not know how to give in.

Even when I play the console, I break the joystick if I fail.

But that is what it is.

If I won, I would thank Allah.

Now I was defeated and I say: Praise be to you, oh, my Lord, for this evening.

It doesn't matter what happened now.

Mineev, you are an asshole, but I express my respect to you, ”the athlete said.

After that, he jokingly put his fist to Vladimir's face and stressed that the last blow was behind him.

He, in turn, also thanked the opponent for a worthy confrontation.

“I express my deep gratitude to Magomed as a person and as an athlete.

I do not share this.

We made a show for you together.

I would like to apologize to his family.

I know she is in the hall, and it’s even somehow embarrassing that this happened in front of their eyes, ”Mineev admitted.

Also, the reigning AMC Fight Nights champion said bluntly that he would like a third meeting with the Bald Predator.

“I would love to repeat it.

Therefore, Ismailov, let the last blow remain with you, we can fix it.

And, thank you, I look even better than after our previous fight, ”Mineev added.

Thus, the story of their confrontation is likely not over at this meeting in Sochi, and fans may witness an exciting trilogy.

It remains only to wait until the Dagestani fully recovers, and the parties will be able to agree on a new fight.