Artur Zaynukov is a key member of Team Nurmagomedov, serving as a representative of one of the most key regions in the sport today – Dagestan. Zaynukov is known for his patience, durability, and fight IQ. Zaynukov is on a five-fight win streak and made his PFL debut in October with a decision over Dedrek Sanders at the Battle of the Giants event.

 

Before MMA, Takeshi Izumi found success as a wrestler, becoming an intercollegiate wrestling champion and a 2017 Asian Games Greco-Roman wrestling gold medalist. Izumi made his MMA debut in 2022 and enters tonight with a 6-3 record. Izumi most recently fought in March, defeating Spike Carlyle.

 

Who’ll come out on top in this lightweight showcase battle?

 

 

Round 1

 

Izumi looks to take the center. Jab by Izumi before pressing Zaynukov to the fence. Izumi looks to get behind Zaynukov. Zaynukov trying to fight the hands. Izumi turns to his side, now his back against the fence. Zaynukov grabs a hold of a single leg and he scores the takedown! Zaynukov is in control now as Izumi brings himself over to the fence.

 

Izumi brings himself back to his feet, but Zaynukov returns him to the mat. Izumi grabs a kimura and uses it to bring himself back up. Izumi escapes Zaynukov’s grasp. Izumi right hand is blocked. High kick and a punch from Zaynukov. Izumi responds and forces Zaynukov back. Right hand by Zaynukov. Left hand by Zaynukov. Right hand by Izumi, but Zaynukov looks for a double-leg takedown, and he gets it. Izumi looks for a guillotine while posturing, but can’t get either – and he’s warned for a fence grab. Izumi is able to get to his feet, but the round ends.

 

 

Round 2

 

Both men flash the jabs. Combination from Izumi coming in. Right hand from Izumi backs Zaynukov up, but Zaynukov responds with a right hand of his own. Strong right hand lands for Zaynukov. Right hand by Izumi. Right hand misses for Zaynukov. Right hand by Zaynukov. Another right hand. Izumi throws a combination. Izumi goes for a takedown but eats a power punch from Zaynukov.

 

Combination by Zaynukov. Izumi shoots in and scores a takedown – or so we thought! Zaynukov rolls through and now he gets Izumi down! Zaynukov already nearly in full mount! Zaynukov is on Izumi’s back, riding a little high. Zaynukov looking to get the body lock in. Izumi scrambles and gets out of it, grabbing a leg and pressing Zaynukov into the fence. One minute left in the round. Knee from Zaynukov. Izumi grabs a leg. A couple of left hands from Zaynukov. A couple of right hands from Izumi. Separation with about 20 seconds to go in the center of the SmartCage. Right hand by Izumi.

 

 

 

Round 3

 

Right hand by Zaynukov. Izumi with a clinch, bringing Zaynukov over to the fence again. Izumi tries to get a leg, and while he’s tripped, he stays with it and slowly works his way over to Zaynukov’s back. Zaynukov gets the takedown. Izumi gets to his feet, but Zaynukov is on his back. Zaynukov returns him to the mat. Izumi back to the feet. Zaynukov has his arms around the waist. Izumi against the fence again. Izumi manages to get away halfway through the round.

 

One-two and a low kick from Zaynukov. Front kick and low kick by Zaynukov. Jumping kick by Zaynukov. Izumi presses Zaynukov into the fence again. Izumi tries for another trip and works his way to the back. Izumi trying for a body lock. Izumi goes for it, but he can’t get it and ends up on the bottom against Zaynukov. Zaynukov scoops Izumi up and lands a takedown. Right hands from Zaynukov. Zaynukov pins Izumi down and ends the fight in that position.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Artur Zaynukov def. Takeshi Izumi via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)