Shlemenko vs Vladislav Kovalev Prediction
⚡️ On September 12, the "Traktor" arena in Chelyabinsk will host the RCC 23 mixed martial arts tournament. The main event features a five-round title bout between Alexander Shlemenko and Vladislav Kovalev for the RCC Middleweight Championship. Their first encounter took place this past May, where "Belaz" surprisingly defeated the Russian veteran by split decision. How will their rematch unfold? Find out in the Scores24 prediction!
Alexander Shlemenko Player Overview
Alexander Shlemenko (67-16-1), a 41-year-old Russian MMA fighter and former Bellator Middleweight Champion, remains one of the most recognizable figures in Russian sports. Ahead of his May bout against "Belaz," Shlemenko showcased excellent form with a five-fight winning streak. Despite his age, he continues to compete regularly, fighting two to three times a year. Notably, Shlemenko avenged his loss to Kovalev, closing that chapter. In July, at the Shlemenko FC 11 event, he secured a spectacular knockout victory over Spain's Guilherme Cadena, finishing the fight in the fourth round.
Match Results: Alexander Shlemenko
Vladislav Kovalev Player Overview
Vladislav Kovalev (7-2), a 27-year-old Belarusian athlete with a wrestling background, previously claimed the championship title in Hardcore FC, a bare-knuckle fighting league. In 2024, Kovalev parted ways with Anatoly Sulyanov’s promotion due to contractual disagreements and joined Ural FC, where he secured back-to-back victories over Weldon Oliveira and Douglas Ribeiro. Following his sensational win against Alexander Shlemenko, Vlad started dreaming of making the jump to the UFC. However, the move to the world’s premier promotion has so far eluded "Belaz."
Match Results: Vladislav Kovalev
Latest news
Alexander Shlemenko
Shlemenko on the rematch:
"In the fight with Vlad, I broke my hand, but I didn't tell anyone. I stumbled a bit, but we'll reclaim what's ours. The rematch is coming soon, and after the victory, I'll explain why I lost that time. Yes, that night I wasn't myself, but I've realized what went wrong, and I'll take back what's mine. How will the rematch go? I know one thing - in the end, you'll be talking to me as the winner."
Vladislav Kovalev
"Belaz on the upcoming rematch:
"I took the news of the rematch in stride. Even before our first encounter, I stated that if I won, I would definitely give Shlemenko a chance to even the score. So when the offer for a second fight came, I didn't hesitate for a second and immediately agreed. It's important for me to frequently step into the cage and face strong opponents. I know Alexander had some health issues, and he insisted on an immediate rematch. Now, this fight is happening very soon."
⭐ Editorial Prediction
The first fight left a sense of unfinished business, as health issues prevented Shlemenko from performing at his best. However, in the upcoming bout, a motivated and fully prepared Alexander is sure to pose a significant challenge for "Belaz." Considering "Storm" has superior skills and has consistently excelled in rematches throughout his career, we are backing the veteran to claim victory.