Zabit Samedov qualifies for $1 million GFC Grand Prix

Zabit Samedov, Gokhan Saki and Ismael Lazaar were among the big winners at the Global Fighting Championship (GFC3) held at the Dubai Tennis Stadium on Friday.

Gokhan Saki won by unanimous decision against his Romanian challenger Sebastian Ciobanu in their Heavyweight Superfight as the Turkish fighter from the Netherlands opened his GFC debut with a win.

Ciobanu survived a first round knockout at the hands of Saki before going the full distance of three rounds.

Saki tilted the advantage in the last round with a flurry of punches and jabs to take his career record to 82 wins.

The second Heavyweight Superfight ended in disappointment for Fatih Ulusoy as he broke his left shin within the opening 30 seconds of his bout against Ismael Lazaar.

“I am disappointed, but I am ready for a re-match. We are warriors and we will never give up,” Fatih told a cheering crowd.

But the night’s honours went to Zabit Samedov as he outslugged his German/Congolese opponent Danyo Ilunga over four rounds.
After the mandatory three rounds of three minutes each, the judges could find hardly anything to separate the two fighters, thus necessitating another round.

Samedov was dominant in the first part charging down his opponent with deadly combinations and kicks.

Danyo seemed to show better composure towards the end.
However, judges gave the nod to Samedov by a mere one point.

The fighter from Azerbaijan won Dh1 million for his efforts along with the right to qualify for the season-ending $1 million GFC Grand Prix that will be held at a yet to be disclosed location.

Supported by the Dubai Sports Council with sponsorship from Tampa Middle East, Grosvenor House, Zengo Restaurant, Prize Fighter, Amika Dubai, Amazing Thailand, Bong event management and Rely BTL Production and Services, the fourth round of the series is scheduled to be held in the middle of May.

Presented by Golden Cage Promotion and Events, GFC-3 was part of a series of fight nights involving some of the best Mixed Martial Arts, Kick Boxing and Muay Thai exponents from across the world.
 
Results

Super Welterweight: Saeed Nouri Long (Iran) beat Jamnian Srikam (Thailand) by KO

Middleweight: Adrian Garlonta (Romania) beat Jamshid Givehchi (Iran) by KO

Welterweight: Masoud Minaei (Iran) beat Jason Woodham (UK) by KO

Welterweight: Bradley Riddell (New Zealand) beat Maseh Nuristani (Afghanistan-Australia) by KO

Heavyweight: Murat Aygun (Turkey) beat Tofan Pirani (Sweden-Iran) by TKO

Heavyweight: Srdjan Seles (Serbia) beat Jean Gaetan Sautron (France) by TKO

Heavyweight: Andre Meunier (Australia) beat Naoufal Benazzouz (France-Morocco) by TKO

Heavyweight Superfight: Ismael Lazaar (Morocco) beat Fatih Ulusoy (Netherlands-Turkey) by TKO

Heavyweight Superfight: Gokhan Saki (Netherlands-Turkey) beat Sebastian Ciobanu (Romania) by unanimous decision
 
Four-man Heavweight tournament:

Zabit Samedov (Azerbaijan) beat Steve McKinnon (Australia) on points

Danyo Ilunga (Germany-Congo) beat Jafar Ahmadi (Iran) by KO

Final: Zabit Samedov beat Danyo Ilunga on points

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