Undefeated Ali Isaev might be the next Russian heavyweight to break into the spotlight – but keep an eye on Russian referee Alexandr Sidorin, as well. At this past weekend’s Fight Nights Global 90 event in Moscow, Isaev (4-0) took on fellow heavyweight Alexander Gladkov (10-3) in the night’s co-feature. While the two men were rather conservative for most of the opening stanza, that changed in the final two minutes of the frame, when Isaev unleashed a spinning wheel kick that landed flush on his opponent’s temple, sending him toppling to the canvas. Isaev followed to the floor with a barrage of punches that ended the fight at the 3:13 mark of the first round. That’s when Sidorin sprung into action. Rushing forward as duty beckoned, Sidorin planted his right foot just short of Gladkov’s downed torso, simultaneously putting his right arm under Isaev’s chin in an attempt to establish back control. From there, Sidorin launched into the air, brilliantly keeping his chest pressure on Isaev’s back and spinning into a modified referee’s position on the opposite side
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