Russian mixed martial artist Sergei Bilostenny teamed up with American opponent Tyrell Fortune on the undercard of Bellator 294 in Honolulu. The bout ended in the first round after the referee disqualified Bilostenny for illegal blows to the back of the head, a decision that sparked lively debate among observers and analysts.
Commentators and many experts questioned the ruling, arguing that some strikes clearly landed to the back of the head and should have prompted a different outcome. In the world of knockout finishes, debates over where a blow lands are not uncommon, but the disqualification in this particular instance drew particular scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
For Bilostenny, the fight marked his Bellator debut. Prior to joining Bellator, he had compiled a record of ten wins and two losses, building a reputation for his aggressive style and finishing ability in various promotions. The first Bellator appearance, however, did not go as hoped, and the result has become a talking point for those following the Russian fighter’s trajectory in major circuits. The bout is often revisited in discussions about officiating and the margins that separate a victory from a disqualification in high-stakes MMA bouts.
In another notable development from the broader combat sports scene, it was reported that another Russian fighter, Alexander Shlemenko, was set to face Swiss competitor Yasubei Enomoto at the main event of a REN TV Fight Club kickboxing card in Moscow. The match-up represented a cross-discipline showcase, with boxing-style rounds and kickboxing rules providing a different canvas for both veterans. Shlemenko, then 38 years old, emerged victorious in a three-round affair, securing a unanimous decision. This contest stood as a rematch of a prior encounter in 2014 when the same two athletes faced off under MMA rules at a Fight Nights event, where Shlemenko also claimed the win by unanimous decision. The rematch demonstrated Shlemenko’s ability to adapt his striking and pacing across rule sets, a point frequently highlighted by analysts observing his career. The REN TV Fight Club card in Moscow continued to emphasize Russia’s growing integration of multi-discipline combat sports on a high-profile platform, underscoring the ongoing cross-pollination between mixed martial arts and kickboxing at the international level. These developments collectively illustrate how fighters navigate diverse rule sets while pursuing opportunities across major promotions and markets, including North America and Europe. [Source: REN TV Fight Club coverage; Fight Nights archive]