Vlad Kovalev outpointed Timur Akaimov by unanimous decision in a bare-knuckle contest at the joint RCC and Gamebred tournament in Chelyabinsk. The fight was a cautious affair through the first two rounds before picking up in the third, with Akaimov landing one notable shot that briefly troubled Kovalev. Kovalev ultimately secured the unanimous verdict.
Vlad Kovalev earned a unanimous decision victory over Timur Akaimov in a bare-knuckle bout at the joint RCC and Gamebred tournament held in Chelyabinsk on September 12, 2026.
The contest was a measured one through its opening two rounds, with both men showing caution in the early exchanges. The fight began to open up in the third round, though the most notable moment came when Akaimov landed a clean shot that briefly put Kovalev on the back foot. Kovalev regrouped and did enough to impress all three judges, walking away with the unanimous verdict.
The event was a collaboration between RCC — the Russian Combat Championship — and Gamebred, the bare-knuckle promotion associated with former UFC champion Jorge Masvidal, marking another joint venture between the two organizations in the emerging bare-knuckle fighting scene.
No additional verified career statistics were available for either competitor ahead of publication. What the fight did demonstrate was Kovalev's ability to weather adversity and maintain composure when hurt, qualities that will serve him well should he continue competing on the bare-knuckle circuit.
