Islam Omarov vs Alexey Polpudnikov
The co-main event of ACA 171 features Islam Omarov (14-0) defending his featherweight title in a Grand Prix semi-final vs Alexey Polpudnikov (34-9). Polpudnikov is an experienced pressure boxer that loves to deal damage to his opponents’ mid-section and has procured three TKO victories against fighters that have competed in the UFC. The most impressive of these is his early career win vs Song Yadong, while the other two came against Diego Brandao and Grigorii Popov. In his last fight he brutalised ex ACA bantamweight champion Dudaev with body punches & earned himself a spot in semi-finals.
Alexey Pulpudnikov, who takes on undefeated Islam Omarov at ACA 171 for the featherweight strap this weekend, once KOed Song Yadong pic.twitter.com/3tuS9OYEVz
— Val Dewar (ใบกระท่อม) (@the3els) February 22, 2024
What makes this fight even more significant than just a bout for a title and spot in the GP final is the fact that Polpudnikov is one of few elite 145-lbers that the undefeated Omarov is yet to beat; Islam is lapping the competition at FW, much like the aforementioned Gasanov. Also like Magomedrasul, Omarov is looking to extend his winning streak to fifteen. Islam is a stereotypical Dagestani fighter who excels in enforcing his dominating wrestling game to smash his foes, and nobody has stopped him yet. At only twenty-six years of age, the future is bright for this featherweight champ, and unlike Gasanov there is hope of him fighting against the best fighters in top promotions in the US one day.
-@FdrNphw
Honorable Mentions:
PFL VS Bellator-CHAMPS: Ray Cooper III vs Jason Jackson
RISE 176: Riku Kazushima vs Khunsuk Petchyindee (kickboxing)
UFC Mexico City: Raoni Barcelos vs Christian Quinones
UFC Mexico City: Daniel Zellhuber vs Francisco Prado
KSW EPIC: Rafal Haratyk vs Marcin Wojcik
LFA 177: Devin Smyth vs Shamikdan Magomedov
RIZIN Landmark 8: Luis Gustavo vs Yoshinori Horie
Cage Warriors 166: Bobby Winther vs Devin Goodale
Berlanga/McCrory: Shakram Giyasov vs Pablo Cesar Cano (boxing)
