Former middleweight champion gets knocked out cold in ice Fights

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Josh Tupper
July 17, 2024 (9:48)

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Stunning Knockout in Russian Ice Fighting League Shocks Fans

A crazy knockout of a middleweight champion occurred during a recent match in the Russian Ice Fighting league that has left fans stunned. This unexpected outcome has sparked interest and intrigue in a league that remains relatively unknown in North America.

Here in North America, not much is known about this Ice Fighting league in Russia, but it's provided some incredible moments that can be seen on their YouTube channel - IceFights_Russia, which began posting videos in late 2021. These bouts combine the physicality of hockey with the intensity of mixed martial arts, creating a unique spectacle.

Last week, IceFights_Russia posted a four-hour long video from one of their recent events and it featured a fighter, who only had one loss coming into the match, getting KO'd by his opponent. This video showcases the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the sport, capturing the attention of combat sports enthusiasts.

According to the Instagram account for IceFights_Russia, Marat Karliev (wearing green jersey) set a new record for the fastest KO in league history at 28 seconds of the second round when he took down the middleweight champion - Mark «Knockout» Kovalevsky, the latter of whom had a record of 11-1 heading into the match. This record-setting performance highlights Karliev's skill and power, cementing his place in the league's history.

IceFights_Russia added that this was the outcome of this fight between Karliev, who was 4-3 before the match, and Kovalevsky was unexpected in the tournament.

Note: the following was translated from Russian.

"Epic knockout in a fight against the Champion

Semifinal of the OLIMPBET Russian Cup Icefights Tournament.

The author of the fastest knockout in the history of Ice martial arts, Marat Karliev vs. Icefights middleweight champion Mark «Knockout» Kovalevsky.

The promising confrontation did not last long and ended at 28 seconds of the second round. Marat Karliev won by knockout.

The outcome of the battle was one of the most unpredictable in the semi-finals of the Tournament."

Based on their YouTube uploads, it appears that this is the first full-length event/tournament that they've posted in over a year, however for anyone interested, they have been sharing 10-to-15 minutes videos of individual fights and can be found via the link below. For fans seeking more high-octane action, these videos provide a glimpse into the intense and dynamic world of ice fighting.

This unexpected knockout and the increasing visibility of the league could signal a growing interest in ice fighting, both in Russia and potentially internationally. As more people become aware of the league, it's likely that we'll see even more incredible moments and rising stars from this unique sport.

Source: IceFights_Russia/YouTube:
Прямая трансляция Турнира OLIMPBET Кубок России Icefights полуфинал (Fight referenced in this story begins at 3:00:00)