The debuting Sergey Khandozhko managed to get past Sweden’s previously undefeated Rostem Akman at UFC Stockholm on Saturday.
Rostem Akman was making his promotional debut at UFC Stockholm. The Swedish fighter came in with a 6-0 record featuring five knockouts and one submission. His last fight came just last month, where he won by third-round knockout.
Sergey Khandozhko was also making his UFC debut on Saturday. The Russian is a veteran of the sport with a 26-5-1 record with 10 knockouts and seven submissions. Oddly enough, he was signed to the promotion for this fight on just a two-fight win streak.
The pair exchanged early, but Akman opted to pursue a takedown, pressing his opponent into the cage. No dice on the attempt, and they met again in center. Akman walked his opponent down, while Khandozhko worked to maintain distance. Akman certainly showed some power, and mixed in some low kicks, while Khandozhko looked to land a left hook. However, far too often Khandozhko swung wild, and at the end of the round, Akman was able to rock him.
Khandozhko opened the second attacking the lead leg of Rostem Akman. Almost immediately, the Swede was showing some redness on the limb. Akman, however, was able to back his opponent up; Khandozhko created some space with a kick to the body. The pair would continue to exchange, and it was Khandozhko stunning his opponent with a punch. Akman went down, perhaps in part having lost his balance, and Khandozhko followed him down, only to have to avoid getting his leg caught. Pulling free, they returned to the feet and it was Akman who drove his foe into the cage, but Khandozhko managed to be the one getting the fight down. Akman was quickly free, back up, and then down again in a scramble that ended with Akman in side control at the buzzer.
Round three saw Akman again walking his opponent down, with Khandozhko on the outside. In an exchange by the fence, Khandozhko landed a punch that briefly stunned Akman. He would recover, and later in the round get the fight to the floor. He nearly pulled Khandozhko on top of him, however, and had to briefly give up control. A quick adjustment, and Akman had Khandozhko down again. Akman’s pressure was beginning to add up, but in the final ten seconds Khandozhko would manage to crack Akman one last time.
It was close as it headed to the judges, who ultimately ruled in favor of Khandozhko. Not a popular decision with the Swedish crowd, but certainly not a robbery.
Sergey Khandozhko def. Rostem Akman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
