Vitaliy Slipenko earned a TKO victory over Michael Graves at ACA 206 after Graves was unable to continue into the second round due to a leg injury. The win improves Slipenko's record to 18-9. For Graves, the defeat snaps a five-fight winning streak and represents just the second loss of his career, dropping him to 11-2-2.
Vitaliy Slipenko earned a TKO victory over Michael Graves at ACA 206 on August 15, with the finish coming between rounds after Graves was unable to continue due to a leg injury sustained during the opening frame.
The result moves Slipenko's professional record to 18-9, marking another winning performance for the veteran under the ACA banner.
For Graves, the stoppage loss is a painful one. The defeat snaps a five-fight winning streak and hands him only the second loss of his career, dropping his record to 11-2-2. The 35-year-old American Top Team product fights out of an orthodox stance and stands five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach. His database entry reflects a fighter who leans heavily on his wrestling, averaging 4.8 takedowns per 15 minutes, while also posting a striking accuracy of 54 percent — a figure that speaks to his efficiency when he does engage on the feet.
Why it matters
- Slipenko improves to 18-9 and reinforces his position as a consistent finisher in ACA competition
- Graves loses his momentum after five straight victories, with a leg injury cutting short what had been a promising run
- The nature of the finish — an injury TKO rather than a conventional stoppage — leaves questions about where Graves stands physically heading into his next camp
- With just two losses across 15 professional appearances, Graves remains a capable contender once he returns to health
