Kyle Driscoll wins pressure battle to score close split decision

Husein Kadimagomaev is a wrestling specialist, having won a Shooto European Amateur Tournament Championship in 2016. He went 12-0 as an amateur and has just one defeat in 14 fights as a pro. Kadimagomaev won three straight fights before making his PFL debut at Battle of the Giants in October – a no contest vs. Zafar Mohsen.

Wrestling has been part of Kyle Driscoll’s life, going on to become a two-time state champion in his native Oklahoma. A former amateur welterweight champion and regional featherweight champion, Driscoll has scored stoppages in seven of his 14 victories. This is also Driscoll’s first fight in two years, last scoring a first-round TKO of James Lynch in June 2023.

Which of these two lightweights will come out on top?

Round 1

The two are in the center. Driscoll flashes the left hand. Low kick by Driscoll. Low kick by Kadimagomaev. Underhand left by Kadimagomaev. Kadimagomaev circles as Driscoll flashes the knee. Driscoll misses a high kick, as does Kadimagomaev. One-two by Driscoll. Driscoll misses a low kick. Combination from Kadimagomaev coming in, but Driscoll backs up. Driscoll still trying to catch Kadimagomaev’s movement. Kadimagomaev with a body kick. Driscoll throws a left hand but is blocked, as he blocks a head kick from Kadimagomaev.

Kadimagomaev’s kick is caught and he goes down. Driscoll follows Kadimagomaev down, grabbing a hold of Kadimagomaev’s upper body in the front headlock position. Driscoll appears to have an arm around the neck briefly. Kadimagomaev looking to find a way out. Driscoll scrambles. Kadimagomaev tries to come out the back door. He switches his hips over, but Driscoll isn’t having it. Kadimagomaev manages to escape out the back after landing punches to the calf. Kadimagomaev scrambles and looks for a choke, but Driscoll counters and gets back on top, landing some punches from the top to end the round.

Both fighters applying pressure early!

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Round 2

The two touch gloves. Some circling around. Light punch from Driscoll. Kadimagomaev comes forward. Driscoll flashes the left jab before landing the right. Driscoll misses a high kick. Body kick by Kadimagomaev. Right hand from Driscoll. Left hands from Driscoll. An exchange between the two men. Driscoll manages to stop a kick and score another takedown. He doesn’t do too much before Kadimagomaev scrambles to his feet.

Driscoll with another takedown attempt and he gets it. Kadimagomaev with elbows to the head, and the referee calls time to give a hard warning to Kadimagomaev. A transition not long after, and Driscoll has another front headlock. Kadimagomaev presses Driscoll to the fence. The ref warns Kadimagomaev to get out of Driscoll’s shorts. Driscoll with an elbow on the inside drive through. Kadimagomaev with a small flurry. Kadimagomaev with a head kick. Driscoll with a jab to the body. Kadimagomaev with another flurry. Kadimagomaev stumbles Driscoll back with a right hand. One-two by Kadimagomaev right before the bell.

Round 3

Low kick by Kadimagomaev. Low kick by Kadimagomaev. High kick lands for Kadimagomaev. And another high kick. A low kick now. Kadimagomaev doing damage with these kicks. Big kick again, and then Driscoll shoots in. Kadimagomaev threatens a guillotine, but Driscoll avoids it. Kadimagomaev now looking for a sweep. The fight gets back to the feet, with Driscoll having a hold of Kadimagomaev’s back against the fence. Now we go chest-to-chest. Return to the center with about three minutes is back. Kadimagomaev with another low kick that is doing damage. Kadimagomaev with a combination, but a low kick sees Driscoll score a takedown and get right to the back.

Driscoll appears to have hooks in. Kadimagomaev tries to turn to Driscoll, but Driscoll keeps a hold of the back. Kadimagomaev has a hold of Driscoll’s right leg. Ref asks for an improvement of position. Kadimagomaev is deep on a low-single, but Driscoll still has a hold of him, too. Kadimagomaev with a switch and he’s on top now. Kadimagomaev postures up with about 40 seconds left and throws a couple of shots. Hammerfists from the top now. Kadimagomaev ends the fight on top.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Kyle Driscoll def. Husein Kadimagomaev via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 30-27)