Ilyas Bekbulatov defeats World champion David Baev in inaugural Russian Pro League Tournament finals
Russia’s pro league tournament at 70 kg ended with a clash of P4P domestic elites.
The inaugural Russian pro league tournament boasted a beastly field at 70 kilograms. This included top flight international talents the likes of 2020 Asian continental champion #2 Ilyas Bekbulatov of Uzbekistan, and a powerful Russian roster featuring the likes of 2019 World champion #4 David Baev, 2017 65 KG World bronze medalist #13 (65) Alan Gogaev, 2020 U-23 national champion Inalbek Sheriev, 2020 Russian nationals bronze medalist #5 Kurban Shiraev, 2017 65 KG Russian nationals bronze medalist Imam Adzhiev, 2019 Dan Kolov runner-up Anzor Zakuev, and 2017 54 KG cadet World bronze medalist Imam Ganishov.
70 KG Russian Pro League Tournament Results
The quarterfinals saw #20 Anzor Zakuev pin Imam Adzhiev, #2 Ilyas Bekbulatov scored a masterful 10-0 victory over Imam Ganishov, and #4 David Baev trounced #5 Kurban Shiraev 8-4 to add to his 8-0 quarterfinal victory over Shiraev from 2020 Russian nationals. The quarters concluded with a 6-1 upset win for Inalbek Sheriev over #12 (65) Alan Gogaev.
Putting up a spirited effort, the surging Sheriev would push 2019 World champion #4 David Baev, but fell in a 9-5 semifinal match. In a rematch of the 2019 Dan Kolov finals, #4 Ilyas Bekbulatov of Uzbekistan defeated Anzor Zakuev 9-3 to make the finals opposite Baev.
Bekbulatov vs. Baev Highlights
The match between Bekbulatov and Baev was tightly contested, with Baev taking an early lead off the strength of a passivity point and a pushout. Bekbulatov was stingy and controlled wrists to avoid giving Baev underhooks, but Baev did well to find short openings to drop to the legs.
However, Bekbulatov would strike back late in the second period with a 4 point whizzer throw to take a 4-2 lead over the past World champion. Baev is known for his underhook throw-by, and it seems Bekbulatov had cooked up a nasty uchi mata counter to exploit the Ossetian’s offense.
Baev now had to attack with reckless abandon, leaving him open for counters once again. A reattack duck for Bekbulatov in the final minute of the match would push Bekbulatov’s lead up to 6-2, but Baev would finish with a takedown in the closing seconds to tighten the score. He ultimately fell 6-4 to Bekbulatov.
You can check out the full event below: