July 22, 2007

On July 21 the Battle on the Neva River Ultimate Fighting Championship was held in Saint Petersburg, on board of the Flying Dutchman ship and it can be considered an ambitious world-class sports event. The strongest fighters of Russia and Europe were taking part.

The championship was supposed to be only a TV show, so the number of spectators was limited. Konstantin Zheludkov, Deputy Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Physical Education and Sports Committee says that they were receiving over 50 telephone appeals to help with the Championship attendance every day.

The aim of the Championship was to draw attention to Saint Petersburg as the capital of Mixed Fighting of Russia. It was organized in one of the most picturesque corners of the city, in the waters of Neva, near the Peter and Paul fortress and Birzhevy Bridge.

The participants were accompanied by models whose bodies were painted according to the flag colours of the country they represented.

The quay was thronged with fans who could watch the fights from there or on the screens near the sailing-ship. The event was added a bit of luxury with the help of the moored yachts, fire lighted at the Rostral columns and burning torches all around the ring.

The organizers of the show filed an application to the Guinness Record Book. And they were replied that an event held at such level has all the chances to appear in the famous book.

The Championship was shot by twelve cameras, some of them being right on the water. The Championship will be broadcasted on the NTV channel on July 27 at 22.40.

Fight 1

Radmir Gabdullin vs. Alexey Beliaev

Radmir's first official fight was quite stable, he was attacking constantly and gained a good advantage.

Fight 2

Yuri Puliaev vs. Joao Wilson

Unfortunately, Yuri was not able to force back Wilson who made him mat wrestle several times and at the end used choke technique.

Fight 3

Sergei Verdesh vs. Brian Lo-a-Njo

Quite unexpectedly Vener Galiev announced for the fight fell ill a day before the championship and Sergei Verdesh from Rostov Legion Club was sent for urgently. As he only came in the morning on the day of the competition, Sergei was rather unprepared for the fight but was surprisingly confident and won in the second round using a painful hold.

Fight 4

Arman Gambarian vs. Karl Amossou

It was a fight of two technically skilled athletes, the Frenchman was never defeated before. Three rounds had the same scenario: exchange of kicks and then Arman was mat wrestling with his adversary and in this position he had an undoubted advantage and won deservedly according to the unanimous decision of the judges after the fight ended.

Fight 5

Dmitri Samoilov vs. Bogumil Lungrik

Dmitri was leading and knocked his adversary down already in the first round. Bogumil was fighting back and provoking a wrestle. In the second Round Dmitri caused a grave section to his adversary and the doctor stopped the combat. Dmitri Samoilov won.

Fight 6

Mikhail Malutin vs. Artem Damkovskiy

That was a tenacious and handsome fight. Both athletes gave their best in during the fight, both had good chances to win before the end of the fight: Mikhail was several times menaced by a guillotine choke but managed to free himself every time; in his turned he succeeded at a classical painful arm hold but Damkovsky endured the moment when his arm was reverted at minus angle and writhed himself free by chance. After three rounds Mikhail Malutin was unanimously announced the winner.

Fight 7

Kiril Sidelnikov vs. Antonio Mendes

Kiril was attacking his opponent, Mendes reacted accurately. Kiril was having recourse to mat wrestling where he had an absolute advantage over the 'samurai', fought in stance. But an annoying section prevented Kiril Sidelnikov from continuing the fight. As a result - an illogical victory of Antonio Mendes.

Fight 8

Vladimir Zenin vs. Seidina Sek

Vladimir was steadily controlling the fight and led it up to its final and a unanimous judges' decision in his favour.

Fight 9

Alexander Kokoev vs. Gegard Musashi

Musashi showed what being a Pride Fighter means and was winning over Alexander during the whole combat apart from a few moments and won in the second round using choke technique.

Fight 10

Mikhail Zayats vs. Lukash Yurkovskiy

A great fight. The initiative and advantage was floating from one adversary to the other. But Mikhail appeared to be stronger and won after a choke.

Fight 11

Erik Oganov vs. Abner Lloveras

Erik steadily won all the three rounds.

Fight 12

Alexander Emelianenko vs. Jessie Gibson

In the beginning due to an unsuccessful attack Alexander had to mat wrestle beneath his adversary but then he managed to writhe himself free and perform a painful arm hold.