Beating the bloodied one: Mineev easily dealt with the Bald Predator

Russian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Vladimir Mineev confidently dealt with compatriot Magomed Ismailov in a boxing match. Sport is about the third meeting of sports stars, the crazy plot twists of the confrontation and the completed trilogy. Which, apparently, very soon can turn into a quadralogy.
No competition? One of the most striking and fundamental confrontations in domestic MMA — Vladimir Mineev vs. Magomed Ismailov — has been going on for more than six years. All this time, they have been exchanging «punches» through social networks and the media, having managed to meet twice in the cage. The first fight took place in October 2018 and ended in a draw — three years later, in October 2021, Mineev won by technical knockout in the second round and took the dilogy.

But the question of the trilogy remained relevant. Three years have passed again and again a meeting of old “friends”: today at the Live Arena near Moscow the athletes held their third meeting… In the ring! Mineev and Ismailov entered the boxing match, designed for eight rounds in the first heavyweight division. And if Maga is no longer a newcomer to this type of martial arts, then Volzhanin made his debut on Saturday. Which, however, did not stop the experts from betting on Vladimir: the favorite’s excellent “punch”, better endurance and a serious advantage in size did not work in favor of the Bald Predator, whose main base is wrestling.

Looking ahead, we admit: the experts were right — this fight with Ismailov was the easiest for Mineev. However, what Maga did today is worthy of praise.
So what happened in the ring? The cautious first round gave way to a sparkling “swing” in the next three minutes. The boxers opened up and, having scored on defense, began to arrange exchanges to the delight of the fans. Mineev actively used jabs, while Ismailov worked with amplitude side blows.

At first, the athletes remained on their feet… But in the fourth, Magomed still missed with a right and found himself knocked down. And then he lived until the break — at some point the Bald Predator was so exhausted that he almost flew over the ropes.
Seventh, eighth… Ismailov could barely stand on his feet, but continued to chop. Despite the weak limbs, blood in the eyes and a couple of new falls on the floor, the underdog held out until the judge's decision. Obviously. that for the Bald Predator it was important not to give up and endure until the final. He coped with this task.

• Verdict: Vladimir wins by unanimous decision (77:72, 78:70, 79:70).

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Should we expect a fourth fight? Promoter Kamil Gadzhiev admitted in a conversation with that the boxing format leaves an «open window» for further discussions about the need for a new fight. «If Mineev wins, the score will be 2-0, but this was the first boxing. Ismailov will say: «Let's do MMA again!» And if Magomed wins, the score will be 1-1,» the functionary predicted.

After the fight, Maga announced his intention to fight again:
«»I want to express my respect to Vladimir both as a person and as an athlete. But in MMA, I will still run him over.»
The triumphant did not upset his opponent even more:
«

«I can't refuse Maga anymore.»

Really, is there any point in this? Some will say that the fighters are not getting any younger. That there is no sparkle in the eyes and enmity that charmed the public in 2018 and 2021. Plus Mineev is immersed in politics… Others will be impressed by Saturday's showdown and will want more.

Let's see whose position the organizers will listen to.

PollDo you want to see the fourth fight Mineev vs. Ismailov?
Yes29.9%No70.1%VoteVoted:432July 21, 02:00