Respect after all! pic.twitter.com/X8dqV4saVA
— ACAMMA (@ACA_League)
November 6, 2020
Azamat
Kerefov remains on the Absolute Championship Akhmat flyweight throne
after
ACA 113.
In the main event, Kerefov (14-0) and Kurban
Gadzhiev (16-3) clashed once again, this time for the 125-pound
championship. In their first contest, Kerefov took a unanimous
verdict over Gadzhiev after a three-round clash. Running it back
two years later, the result was much the same after five rounds.
The challenger started strong, inflicting visible damage to the
body of the champion in the opening round. In the second stanza,
Kerefov showed off some of his grappling skills as he dominated his
opponent on the ground for most of the round. The third round was
fairly even, with both contenders exchanging shots and attempting
to impose their will on one other.
In the first championship round, Kerefov looked to be the fresher
man as he outgrappled his seemingly fatigued opponent. The fifth
and final round was as even as the third, with Kerefov pushing the
pace while his opponent tried to counter. After the final bell, all
five judges rewarded Kerefov with the unanimous decision win, with
three scores of 49-46 and two of 48-47. The win on the scorecards
was the unbeaten fighter’s ninth consecutive victory by
decision.
Shamil Shakhbulatov got some serious
knockout power. pic.twitter.com/Le3ZEHIX8r— ACAMMA (@ACA_League)
November 6, 2020
The co-main event saw former divisional champion Shamil
Shakhbulatov (12-3) lock horns with Walter
Pereira Jr. (15-5) in a short-lived bantamweight clash. The
Russian fighter put pressure on his opponent as soon as the bout
started, pressing Pereira to the cage. After a prolonged clinch
exchange where both fighters tested one other’s wrestling skills,
Shakhbulatov landed a one-two combination that put Pereira down.
The former champ finished his opponent off with a few follow-up
punches before the referee stepped in to wave off the contest at
3:54 of the first round. With his win, Shakhbulatov eyed a rematch
with
Deivi Daniel Oliveira de Almeida, with the 135-pound belt on
the line.
Elsewhere, Ultimate Fighting Championship and Professional Fighters League vet Rashid
Magomedov (23-5-1) took home a unanimous decision over Artem
Damkovsky (23-11) at lightweight, and Gadzhimurad
Khiramagomedov (9-4) topped UFC alum Elias
Silverio (17-5-1) via unanimous decision in a 170-pound
battle.
Earlier on the card, Oleg
Borisov (22-6-1) smashed Cleverson
Silva (14-4) with a furious barrage of punches that ended the
fight just 96 seconds into the opening round.