Australian heavyweight Peter Graham was submitted by Russian up-and-comer Denis Goltsov on Friday night.
The bout headlined the Tech-Krep Fighting Championships event which took place at Basket-Hall Arena in the Russian town of Krasnodar.
Graham started the bout landing strong leg-kicks before his Russian opponent closed the distance and clinched against the ropes. Shortly after the referee separated but Goltsov again closed the distance. Thirty nine year-old Graham made the mistake of attempting a trip takedown, as his opponent used his leverage to put Graham on his back. There Goltsov stayed calm and composed as he went to work from both half-guard and side-control. Graham did manage to escape back to his feet, however his opponent was able to get the fight back to the ground.
The second-round started with an accidental low-blow from Goltsov which forced a momentarily halt to the fight to allow Graham to recover. On his feet, Graham looked to capitalise however his much younger opponent again was able to get a takedown. He transitioned to mount. Each time Graham attempted to bridge and maneuver his way out, Goltsov had an answer and stayed on top. 3:22 into the second-round, Graham got caught in a kimura and was forced to tap.
At only 24 years-old, Goltsov is proving himself as a heavyweight to keep an eye on with this being his ninth win in a row.
It was Graham’s first loss in Russia from five appearances in the country. The Sydney based heavyweight will look to rebound next month when he faces Karol Bedorf in Poland.
