Russia's Soldatkin disqualified for repeated fouls

Opponent Opacic: 'I've never seen this even on the internet'

RIZIN heavyweight grand prix champion Aleksandr Soldatkin (right) and his opponent Rade Opacic pose before their bout. The event's official page billed the matchup as "115-kilogram kickboxing power versus the RIZIN heavyweight grand prix champion, clashing under K-1 rules." [FNC official page]
RIZIN heavyweight grand prix champion Aleksandr Soldatkin (right) and his opponent Rade Opacic pose before their bout. The event's official page billed the matchup as "115-kilogram kickboxing power versus the RIZIN heavyweight grand prix champion, clashing under K-1 rules." [FNC official page]

The reigning RIZIN heavyweight grand prix champion made a mockery of a kickboxing bout Sunday, losing by disqualification after repeatedly attempting takedowns — a move banned under the event's rules.

Aleksandr Soldatkin of Russia was disqualified in the second round of his heavyweight bout against Rade Opacic of Serbia at FNC 35, held Sunday (Korean Standard Time) in Podgorica, Montenegro.

The fight was contested under K-1 rules, which center on punching and kicking and prohibit the takedowns and ground techniques permitted in MMA. Soldatkin ignored those restrictions from the opening round, repeatedly grabbing his opponent's legs and dragging him to the canvas. Warnings and point deductions from the referee did nothing to change his behavior.

Soldatkin caught Opacic's kicks and dumped him to the mat, and also tripped him from close range. He was docked three points for fouls in the first round alone. When the second round began, the pattern continued. Soldatkin grabbed Opacic's knee and took him down again, at which point the referee stopped the bout and declared a disqualification.

Even the winner, Opacic, seemed stunned. "I've never seen anything like this, not even on the internet," he said after the fight. "He took me down three times. I'm sorry we couldn't put on a more exciting fight, but a win is a win."

Soldatkin won the RIZIN heavyweight world grand prix last year and has built a record of domestic and international titles in Russian bare-knuckle combat sports, while also finding success in MMA by leaning on his grappling skills. Opacic is a stand-up specialist who has competed in ONE Championship and GLORY.

A matchup between two fighters who had each proven themselves in their respective disciplines ended in an unexpected disqualification. It is not unheard of for MMA fighters competing under kickboxing rules to resort to repeated takedown fouls — essentially conceding the bout deliberately — when they find themselves badly outmatched on the feet.


yjc@heraldcorp.com