A fierce rivalry came to a head once again on December 14th at the RCC 21 event held in Yekaterinburg, where Alexander Shlemenko faced off against Anatoly Tokov, marking their long-awaited rematch. This bout not only brought the two mixed martial arts fighters back to the canvas but also reignited the discussions surrounding their previous encounters, especially Shlemenko's controversial defeat back in 2018.
Shlemenko, once the Bellator champion, walked away victorious after three intense rounds, securing the win through a split decision from the judges. The scorecards reflected the tight nature of the contest, with one judge scoring it 28-29 for Tokov, and two others giving it to Shlemenko at 30-27 and 29-28. This victory allowed Shlemenko to finally redeem himself from the previous loss and support his claim to glory within the mixed martial arts community.
Reflecting on the fight, Shlemenko admitted to having concerns leading up to the bout, particularly feeling susceptible to being judged unfavorably due to the underlying biases within the MMA community. “If you wanted, you could look at the first round and give it to Tokov. I felt it tremble when one of the judges awarded him the victory,” he shared. Shlemenko felt the heat, recognizing the influence his rival, famed fighter Fedor Emelianenko, had within the MMA network. He expressed his frustration, musing, “The MMA Union, to whom is it closer – Fedor Emelianenko or Alexander Shlemenko? Unfortunately for me, Fedor and his team turned away from me, though I don’t know why. Was it for representing the honor of children?”
For many, Shlemenko's victory was not entirely unexpected. Kamila Gadzhiev, President of BETCITY Fight Nights, noted the remarkable preparation and persistent focus Shlemenko exhibited during the fight. He stated, “I wasn’t surprised by Shlemenko’s performance. Even though Tokov was the favorite based on prior matchups, Shlemenko was simply on another level physically. When it’s about principles, Sanya seems to deliver masterpieces; he just jumps higher than anticipated.” This sentiment is echoed by fans and analysts who witnessed his transformation leading up to the rematch.
Tokov's performance, on the other hand, was met with skepticism. Many speculated about his readiness and condition going against Shlemenko. He later attributed his lackluster performance to being unwell leading up to the fight. Former champion Andrey Koreshkov voiced his thoughts on this excuse, stating, “No one forced him to fight. Sanya was also sick before his match and has plenty of injuries he has kept to himself. Tolia [Tokov] tried to act manly, but he had the choice to withdraw if he wasn’t feeling well.” It’s worth noting this sentiment echoed across various MMA forums where fans weighed in on the importance of fighters acknowledging their limits.
Meanwhile, Muslin Magomedov, former ASA champion, expressed his surprise at Tokov's defeat, highlighting the disconnect between his preparation and fight execution. “I was sure Tokov would win, but he didn’t showcase the skills he trained tirelessly for. Perhaps he was not following the game plan,” Magomedov analyzed, pointing to the systematic approach fighters often take leading up to their matches and how deviations can lead to unexpected outcomes.
The night also showcased Iván Shtyrkov, known as the ‘Ural Hulk,’ who secured his own victory against former rival Yasubei Enomoto. Given the evening's intensity and the stakes involved, many fans left RCC 21 buzzing with excitement, anticipating the future paths of these fighters now marked by rivalries, respect, and the undying pursuit of excellence.
With Shlemenko now gaining momentum, one can only speculate what’s next for both him and Tokov. Will Tokov succeed in bouncing back from this loss, proving his resilience? Will Shlemenko continue his impressive run, reclaiming titles and solidifying his legacy? The world of mixed martial arts remains unpredictable, and fans are eager to see how these athletes navigate their careers following such electrifying matchups.
