Mirafzal Akhtamov earns split judges’ nod in closely-contested battle

Luann Sardinha has a wrestling-oriented base blended with forward pressure striking, known for the strength that gives trouble to his opponents. Sardinha has competed in various regional promotions, racking up a 9-1 (1 NC) record. Sardinha, who makes his PFL debut tonight, comes into this bout off a win over Deliya Bi in August.

Well received in his native Uzbekistan, Mirafzal Akhtamov a national karate champion before moving on to boxing, and then MMA. Akhtamov has won eight of his 10 fights so far, including seven wins via a finish and six wins in his last seven fights. Akhtamov submitted Mike Thompson in his PFL debut in January but comes into tonight off a loss to Adrian Sanchez outside the PFL back in June.

Who will be victorious in this lightweight matchup?

Round 1

The two feeling each other out, no one throwing much of anything in the first 25 seconds. Low kick by Sardinha. One-two by Akhtamov. Low kick by Sardinha. Both men are moving cautiously, bouncing around. Sardinha with a couple of low kicks. Akhtamov follows up with one. Body kick by Sardinha. A couple of overhands from Akhtamov. Low kick by Sardinha. Low kick and a right hand from Akhtamov. Low kick by Sardinha. Low round kick misses for Sardinha. Right hand by Sardinha.

Right hand by Sardinha. Left hand by Sardinha. Brief timeout for an eye poke. Low kicks from both men. Sardinha misses a high kick. A couple of right hands land for Akhtamov. Low kicks from both men. Akhtamov fires a right hand. Low kick by Akhtamov. One-two to the body. Front kick by Akhtamov. Body kick by Akhtamov. Sardinha misses a spinning back kick. Round kick to the body by Akhtamov. An exchange, followed by a Sardinha front kick to the body. Leg kick by Sardinha. A couple of right hands from Akhtamov. One-two by Akhtamov. Exchange in the final seconds before Sardinha presses Akhtamov into the fence, looking for a takedown.

Round 2

Low kicks from both men to start. Counter right hand by Sardinha. Sardinha with a low kick gets Akhtamov off balance. Akhtamov gets back to his feet, but he has to move back to avoid Sardinha’s pressure. Body kick by Akhtamov. Body kick by Akhtamov again. One-two by Sardinha. Low kicks clash for both men. Left hand by Sardinha. Overhand right lands for Sardinha, as he continues to press forward. A clinch battle, and it’s Akhtamov who presses Sardinha into the fence.

High kick for Sardinha is blocked. He misses a leg kick. Akhtamov misses a right hand on the stance switch. Sardinha with a one-two and a low kick. Akhtamov with a leg kick. Sardinha pushes Akhtamov back. One-two by Akhtamov. Sardinha presses Akhtamov into the fence. Sardinha with an easy guard pass as he scores the takedown and keeps a leg of Akhtamov’s down. Sardinha gets a hold of Akhtamov as he gets to his feet, trying for a headlock before he escapes. Sardinha presses Akhtamov into the fence, landing foot stomps. Akhtamov reverses the position. Sardinha reverses again. The two break off and do one exchange before the bell.

Round 3

Low kick from Sardinha. The two move along the center of the SmartCage. Akhtamov misses a right hand. Low kick from Sardinha. Sardinha misses a high kick. Low kick from Sardinha. Right hand by Akhtamov. Another right hand as he cuts the SmartCage off. Sardinha tries to come forward. One-two by Akhtamov. Akhtamov goes to the body. Right hand and a round kick by Akhtamov, but Sardinha is just out of range. Sardinha misses another high kick attempt. Low kicks from Akhtamov. Sardinha with a right hand.

Calf kick from Akhtamov. Sardinha times and he secures the takedown. Akhtamov gets to the fence, seated up against it. Sardinha tries to keep the legs of Akhtamov pinned down. Some ground-and-pound by Sardinha. Akhtamov is trying to work his way up. Sardinha is landing some knees to the body on the ground. Sardinha gets a hook in. Sardinha loses the hook, but he keeps the top pressure. Sardinha is landing ground-and-pound, keeping pressure in the final minute of the fight. A series of left hands land for Sardinha. Sardinha gets under the neck in the last 10 seconds! But Akhtamov is saved by the bell!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Mirafzal Akhtamov defeats Luann Sardinha by split decision (29-28x2, 28-29) in a Lightweight Showcase Bout.