The boxing fight between Magomed Ismailov and Vladimir Mineev did not seem to hold much intrigue. The professional kickboxer was the clear favorite, and in eight rounds Volzhanin really made bloody mincemeat out of his opponent’s face. However, he was unable to knock out the Bald Predator.

Ismailov rose after each fall.

Technical Mineev, explosive Ismailov

On Saturday evening, the third confrontation between the irreconcilable rivals, Magomed Ismailov and Vladimir Mineev, took place in Moscow. The first fight according to MMA rules ended in a draw, the second – with a victory for Volzhanin. The third meeting was planned in the ring and in boxing gloves, and compared to the previous fights, the athletes gained weight and both crossed the 91 kg mark.

Ismailov, who decided to choose the nickname Butcher for his next fight, managed to win several victories in boxing, but bookmakers still called his opponent the favorite. Before the fight, Magomed was in a great mood: he joked, smiled and promised to end everything with hugs no matter what. Vladimir seemed more tense from the outside, but it was unlikely due to any lack of confidence in his abilities.

In any case, there was no time for fun in the ring for either of them. If before the fight the opponents behaved with exaggerated politeness, then, once they found themselves face to face, they stopped restraining themselves. Mineev began to put pressure from the start, working at a distance with a jab. And by the middle of the round, Ismailov exploded and even landed a few successful hits.

In the second round, Magomed added aggression and tried to work as the first number. Vladimir tried to keep his distance, but his opponent still periodically got him, although in some cases he had to jump. The next round was similar: Mineev acted more technically, defended himself better, but did not invest as much in punches, Myasnik tried to knock out his opponent in almost every sweeping attack.

Vladimir Mineev and Magomed Ismailov / Photo: © Dmitry Chelyapin / Match TV

Incredible strength of spirit

In the fourth round, Mineev caught his opponent on the counter-course and knocked Ismailov down. He got up, after another series of hits he could barely stand on his feet, his hands were dropping, but the fighter still held out until the break. Magomed continued to fight, blood was flying from his face in all directions, he missed again, but at the first opportunity he still tried to knock out his opponent.

By the sixth round, Ismailov’s usual problem with endurance had worsened. He fell again, and the gong saved him from an early defeat. Magomed’s eye was swollen shut, his nose was bleeding like a stream, and it was time to think about throwing in the towel, but he survived until the final eighth round, where he still could not win.

Mineev brought the matter to a confident victory on points and, as promised, the opponents hugged after eight rounds. But Vladimir was still unable to knock out his opponent, and there is no need to be upset about the loss to the Bald Predator. He demonstrated incredible strength of spirit, which a rare athlete can boast of.