BAZARA 0 Fight Club is back with another action-packed card live from the Xiaomi Arena in Latvia. With 12 fights on the “BAZARA 0 Fight Club III” card, plenty of top Latvian fighters were on full display. “BAZARA 0 Fight Club III” was sponsored by OlyBet Sports Bar, Lucky Punch Energy, and, of course, SlotsFighter.com!
Regardless of your favorite combat sport, “BAZARA 0 Fight Club III” had a little bit of everything. With Aleksandr Chizov winning the PFL European lightweight tournament, this is the perfect time for Latvian combat sports to make a strong run.
Here’s how Bazara 0 Fight Club III went down.
MAIN EVENT #1
“B0 FIST FIGHT” RULES (3 rounds, 2 minutes each)
FRANCIS ROZENTĀLS VS. KRISTAPS ZUTIS
Rozentals coming out in jeans has to be a first. Coming off a major shoulder injury, he looked great in the first round. He landed big shots, ate a few, but looked completely healed and ready to go. He landed big flurries and looked to have hurt Zutis. After the referee stopped the action for a brief moment, Rozentals went back to work and landed a massive hook to put Zutis down in the first round.
The second round started, but Zutis was clearly still hurt. He landed one big shot before Rozentals put an end to him for good. He landed another massive right hook, which sent Zutis to the mat. It was so bad that the towel came in from Zutis’ corner to call the fight.
Result: Rozentals via Round 2 TKO
MAIN EVENT #2 — TITLE FIGHT
“B0 KICK FIGHT” RULES (3 rounds, 3 minutes each)
ZAURS DŽAVADOVS VS. KRISTAPS ZĪLE
Zile looked good in the early going, landing big combos and finding his range. He landed some good knees in close and was able to use his size on the outside. After a strong start for Zile, Dzavadovs started to come back later in the round and made it much more competitive. It feels like Zile deserves the nod in the first round, but it could go either way.
While Zile’s kicking game looked strong, Dzavadovs continued to land big punches and worked inside his boxing range. Zile is the much better fighter at range and does a great job of finding his kicks. He looked like the more active fighter, despite a few flurries, and should have taken the second round as well.
The third round started technically, with Zile being the more successful fighter in the exchanges. As the round went on, both fighters turned it up. Zile was landing the much bigger strikes and started to pour it on. He finished the third round strong and should have done enough in all three rounds to secure the victory.
The judges decided on an extra round based on how close the fight was, and it’s hard to argue. Both fighters have their spots, with Zile doing well on the outside and Dzavadovs finding his success in boxing range. The fatigue was setting in, and both fighters started to look sluggish. Both fighters finished the fight strong, and it looked like Zile did enough, but the judges took a significant amount of time to decide on a winner. In a fairly shocking decision, Dzavadovs came away with the victory.
Result: Dzavadovs via unanimous decision
MAIN EVENT #3
“B0 MIXED FIGHT” RULES (3 rounds, 5 minutes each)
HASANS MEŽIJEVS VS. LUISS ENRIKE “FRANKENSTEIN” DA SILVA
Mezhiev went right to work with the wrestling and looked for the takedown early in the round, but Da Silva’s defense was solid against the fence. After working tirelessly for the takedown, Mezhiev was able to get him down. While his BJJ wasn’t much on the ground, Mezhiev was able to control the fight on the ground. While he was successful, the amount of time spent trying to control Da Silva may have cost him his gas tank. Still, he comes away with the first round.
To start the second round, Mezhiev went back to the well and was able to score the takedown immediately. After not showing much BJJ in the first round, Mezhiev proved his worth and was able to find the choke in the second round to secure the victory.
Result: Mezhiev via Round 2 submission
FIGHTS UNDER “B0 FIST FIGHT” RULES
(3 rounds, 2 minutes each)
RIČARDS BOLOTŅIKS VS. DŽOILTONS “BRAZILIAN SUB-ZERO” LUTTERBAHS
The first round started with both fighters feeling each other out for the first minute. Bolotniks was doing well with his jab, but that was the most action for the first two minutes. Lutterback looked reserved for most of the round, which may have cost him the first.
After a slow start to the first round, Lutterback picked it up and landed a massive shot to the forehead of Bolotniks. Lutterback said in the pre-fight there would be blood, and boy, was there ever. Bolotniks was fired up after the medical stoppage and wanted the staff out of there quickly so the fight could continue. Looks like it’s even going into the final round.
Bolotniks looked fired up to start the third round, but Lutterback looked like the more technical fighter. He was throwing more combinations and added some power behind them. Bolotniks was a bloody mess by the end of the round, and Lutterback looked like the fresher fighter, landing with more control.
Result: Lutterback via unanimous decision
DANS BUKOVSKIS VS. JAROSLAVS KUZOMA
Bukovskis started the fight by pushing forward, but Kuzoma had solid counters. Both guys landed heavy before taking a step back and resetting their stance. Kuzoma continued to throw wild and was landing fairly well, but the defense of both guys continued to be the difference maker. Close first round, but Kuzoma deserves the nod.
Bukovskis started the second round similarly, pushing forward and looking for the big knockout. Kuzoma looks to be the more technical boxer with better defense, but Bukovskis wild style and strong chin continue to keep him in the fight. He started to land his big shots, and Kuzoma looked much more winded as the round progressed, with Bukovskis stealing the second round.
Bukovskis picked up right where he left off and continued to land massive left hands. Kuzoma looks fresher, but he’s taking way more damage as the fight goes on. Bukovskis chin is something to marvel at. He continues to take big shots but comes right back and continues to land massive shots of his own.
Result: Bukovskis via unanimous decision
FIGHTS UNDER “B0 KICK FIGHT” RULES
(3 rounds, 3 minutes each)
RAIVO AUKŠTIKALNIS VS. MADARS FLEMINAS
Fleminas started strong, took some big shots, but continued to find his range and weathered the early storm. Fleminas continued to find ways to break through Aukstikalnis’ guard and landed the much better strikes throughout the first round.
Fleminas continued his barrage and found ways to land combos to start the second round. Aukstikalnis struggled to put any big combos together other than some counter shots after taking damage. Aukstikalnis landed his best shot of the fight after Fleminas overextended, and he landed a sharp spinning elbow. However, Fleminas continued to dominate the fight and won the second round.
While the fatigue started kicking in, Fleminas was still able to land the better shots and was getting more confident with every passing minute. Aukstikalnis was only finding ways to land off the back foot and never put much together over three rounds. Easy win for Fleminas.
Result: Fleminas via unanimous decision
RAIMONDS AUKŠTIKALNIS VS. AHMETS KILICS
The first round started with both fighters throwing wild combos. Things slowed down as the round progressed, with Aukstkalnis having much more success as the technical fighter. He continued to land beautiful shots, and with 10 seconds left in the fight, Aukstikalnis landed a gorgeous body shot that put Kilic on the mat. With Kilic showing no urgency to get up, the referee called the fight in favor of Aukstkalnis.
Result: Aukstikalnis via Round 1 TKO
ALEKSANDRS ČERKESOVS VS. VAIDAS JAGELAVIČIUS
Both guys came out swinging and landed big shots. Jagelavicius was doing a good job of working in and out of striking range. Cerkesovs was doing well with counters and avoiding some of the bigger shots coming his way. It was a close first round.
Cerkesovs did a much better job in the second round to dominate the fight. He pushed the pace and landed some solid shots before taking a groin shot. Both fighters continued to have moments, and it was a closely contested round.
Cerkesovs started finding his range in the third round and continued to put on the pressure. He was landing much better, defending big shots, and looking for counters. The Lithuanian continued to show his toughness, but the fatigue was kicking in. Cerkesovs was doing a great job of hitting the body, found a solid shot up top, and ended the fight in the third round.
Result: Cerkesovs via Round 3 TKO
FIGHTS UNDER “B0 MIXED FIGHT” RULES
(3 rounds, 5 minutes each)
ARTURS SKABARNIEKS VS. KVENTINS “RUSKOV” DOMINGOS
Domingos came out firing on all cylinders, landing some big shots, but as Skabarnieks fired back, it looked like Domingos injured his right collarbone. The referee stepped up quickly and called the fight. While Skabarnieks was celebrating in a big way, it was clear that Domingos was unable to continue due to injury. It was confirmed at the end of the fight that he dislocated his shoulder.
Result: No Contest
ARTŪRS LEISĀNS VS. BAISANGURS MAKAEVS
Makaev was able to land a takedown within the first 15 seconds of the first round, but almost got caught in a submission. He worked his way to full mount with four minutes left in the round. Leisans gave up his back and nearly got rear-naked choked, but defended well to avoid the initial submission. He continued to defend any bad positions and even landed some great elbows from the bottom. After flattening out Leisans, Makaev proceeded to land massive shots, but Leisans survived the first round. Makaev takes round one.
The second round started with plenty of action, but Makaev went back to the ground game. After working some ground and pound, Makaev was able to lock up the rear-naked choke to secure the victory.
Result: Makaev via Round 2 submission
RIČARDS HAUBERTS VS. DAIGARS KASPOROVIČIUS
Kosporovic started the first round by throwing good combos and landing a quick takedown, but Hauberts was able to get back to his feet quickly. Kosporovic was using the fence well to get a good clinch and was able to get it back to the ground in side control. He didn’t land much damage, but was focusing more on control. After getting to full mount, Hauberts reversed positions but wasn’t able to do much with the first round ending. Kosporovic takes round one.
To start round two, Kosporovic looked for a takedown immediately. Hauberts did a good job defending initially, but gave up his back before giving up full guard. The referee stood them up due to a lack of action, but Kosporovic was able to get it back to the ground right away. The referee made it clear that if there’s no action on the ground, he’ll stand them up again. Round two ends with Kosporovic on top as he secures another round on the scorecards.
Kosporovic tried much of the same in the third round, but Hauberts did a much better job defending and ended up on top. After attempting a submission, Hauberts tells Kosporovic to get back to the feet. Both guys start throwing heat, but it’s obvious Kosporovic is starting to tire. After Hauberts landing big blows, Kosporovic tried another takedown but got reversed. After the referee stood them up again, Hauberts landed some good shots, but Kosporovic landed a beautiful judo throw to finish the final round.
Result: Kosporovic via unanimous decision
As one of the biggest cards in Latvian combat sports history, it was a spectacle with the perfect mix of combat sports and showmanship. The fighter walkouts were unique, and the production value was some of the best we’ve seen from lower-level European organizations. With another successful card, this is another big step for Latvian combat sports as it continues to grow and gain popularity.
