Renat Khavalov enters a global MMA stage for the first time with an impressive 8-0 record, having captured regional gold on a couple of occasions. Khavalov, who competed in wrestling as a child before joining MMA as a teenager, has scored six wins via a finish. He last fought in October 2023, finishing Hikaru Yoshino.

 

Cleiver Fernandes has overcome early life hardships to get to this stage of MMA, coming into this fight with a 9-1 record. Fernandes, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, is a former regional bantamweight champion, with his sole pro MMA loss coming at the hands of Gabriel Braga. This will be Fernandes’s first fight in about two years, submitting Denilson Lima back in May 2023.

 

Who’ll come out victorious in this bantamweight battle?

 

 

Round 1

 

Khavalov with a kick to start things off. Both men feinting with their lead hands. Fernandes with a hook to the body. Low kick from Khavalov. Low kick from Fernandes, but Khavalov catches it. Khavalov misses his straight right counter. Low kick from Khavalov. Strong right hand from Fernandes backs Khavalov up. Right hand from Khavalov. Khavalov presses Fernandes up against the fence, as Fernandes tried to work the body. Fernandes reverses the position, but Khavalov gets him back to the fence. Fernandes tries to land knees and foot stomps in the time.

 

A couple of knees from Khavalov in the clinch against the SmartCage. Strong elbow from Khavalov. A knee from Khavalov, but Fernandes gets Khavalov to the fence. Strong knee from Khavalov. A few left hands to the body by Khavalov. Left hand by Fernandes. Double underhooks by Fernandes, as he appears to be looking for a takedown attempt. Khavalov landing to the body. Right hand to the side by Khavalov. The referee calls for more action. Fernandes tries for the takedown again – and he gets it! Fernandes is on the back. Khavalov tries to shake him off. Fernandes is on the back in a backpack position. Fernandes tries to attack the neck but can’t get a choke by the bell.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Both throw jabs to start the round, flashing their lead hands again. Low kick from Khavalov. Khavalov misses a right hand but lands a side kick to the body. Front kick from Fernandes. Khavalov with a left hook. Khavalov lands a low kick. Right hand to the body by Khavalov. Counter attempt by Fernandes. Khavalov presses him against the fence. Khavalov landing knees to the midsection as the two battle for wrist control and control against the fence. Another knee from Khavalov. Khavalov nearly scores the takedown.

 

Another knee from Khavalov. More knees as he looks to keep the pace. The referee calls for action. Khavalov lands a left hand. Khavalov manages to scoot around and gets to Fernandes’s back, with Fernandes’s chest pinned against the fence. Khavalov goes for a takedown, but Fernandes counters with a kimura grasp. He gets his legs up with a triangle before trying to pick an ankle – but Khavalov gets away. Fernandes is on the ground and he lands a couple of up kicks, while Khavalov keeps distance. Brief pauses due to a glove tape issue. Fernandes misses a right hand and a body kick.

 

 

Round 3

 

Khavalov makes Fernandes stumble with a strong right hook. And another from Khavalov. Khavalov lands a sharp jab and nearly lands another hook. Khavalov catches a kick from Fernandes and takes him down. Fernandes gets up and lands a counter hook. A couple of more right hooks, and Khavalov looks to press Fernandes against the fence. Fernandes reverses the position though. A knee to the body by Khavalov. Khavalov continues to throw knees inside. Khavalov is able to reverse position with under three minutes left in the fight. Strong right hand to the head by Khavalov.

 

Khavalov continues to land, as Fernandes is warned more than once to not grab the cage. Knee by Khavalov. Strong shots upstairs as Khavalov continues to land with the knees. Strong elbows from Khavalov. Cracking elbow from Khavalov as he continues to press Fernandes against the fence. More knees from Khavalov, and Fernandes is offering up little to nothing in return. Fernandes misses a right. Khavalov swings and misses a big left.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Renat Khavalov def. Cleiver Fernandes via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)