On October 30, the Sochi RED ARENA hosted the high‑profile BETCITY FIGHT NIGHTS 143 tournament. The autumn bout brought together top fighters for whom the cost of a mistake in the ring was at its highest. After all, spots in the next stages of the prestigious Grand Prix were at stake.
First, the audience was warmed up by light heavyweights Saifulla Nuriev and Kantemir Shibzukhov. The guys put on a very intense fight, with the initiative constantly changing hands. Both fighters fought until the final bell, and in the end, the judges couldn’t decide who was the better one, recording a rare unanimous draw in MMA.
The main bout of the evening, between middleweights Maxim Butorin and Nikita Sharshavin, turned into an uncompromising three‑round battle. In the confrontation, Butorin pressed forward, seizing the initiative with powerful strikes. A split decision put him through to the Grand Prix semifinals, where Anvarbek Daniyalbekov awaits him.
Catch the thrill of these awesome emotions in our photo report.