In an electrifying clash at the PFL World Tournament in Orlando, Movlid Khaybulaev edged out a tough split decision victory over Jeremy Kennedy. This closely fought battle had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
During the first round, Kennedy almost sealed the deal early on. He caught Khaybulaev off guard and unleashed a relentless series of strikes that had the Russian reeling against the cage. With blood streaming from Khaybulaev’s nose, he had no option but to muster a response. In a bid to regain control, Kennedy clinched to catch his breath before launching another attack.
Kennedy couldn’t find the finish he was looking for but managed to punctuate his impressive start with a late takedown, leaving no doubt about his dominance in the opening round.
However, the tables turned swiftly in the second round. About two minutes in, Khaybulaev landed a thunderous right hook that left Kennedy staggered. Smelling blood, Khaybulaev surged forward, hoping for a crowd-pleasing knockout. Though it eluded him, he smartly opted to take Kennedy down, leveling the fight on the judges’ scorecards.
The decisive third round was a testament to both fighters’ grappling skills. They engaged in a gritty battle of clinches and takedowns, with neither managing to secure a decisive edge.
When the dust settled, it was Khaybulaev who emerged victorious by split decision, with scores reading 28-29, 29-28, and 29-28. With this hard-fought win, Khaybulaev advances to face Tae Kyun Kim in the featherweight semi-finals.
If you missed the fight or simply want to relive the action, highlights are available showcasing the thrilling moments between Jeremy Kennedy and Movlid Khaybulaev at PFL 1.
