#BudaWrestle2018

USA Puts 2 in Finals, Otoguro Halts Chakaev's Run

Sunday, October 21, 2018 - 17:23 By Andrew Hipps

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BUDAPEST, Hungry (October 21) -- The United States of America went 2-for-3 in the semifinals on Sunday, advancing Kyle DAKE and J'den COX to the gold-medal finals.

Dake, competing in his first World Championships, continued his dominance in the 79kg weight class with an 11-0 technical fall over Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) in the semifinals. 

Dake used a four-point throw to open up the scoring early and continued to build his lead. He eventually put the match away with a big throw on the edge of the match to secure the technical fall. Gadzhimagomedov defeated Dake in their previous meeting. 

Dake will now face Olympic bronze medalist Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE), who came from behind late to defeat Ezzatollah AKBARIZARINKOLAEI (IRI) 3-3 on criteria. The Iranian appeared to be in control until Hasanov took a shot in the final 20 seconds and converted it to a takedown. He then held on for the win.

Cox, an Olympic and world bronze medalist, advanced to the finals with a 5-2 victory over world bronze medalist Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI). Cox went up 2-0 before the Iranian took the lead on criteria after a takedown. The lead, though, was short lived as Cox scored a reversal and added another takedown to win by three.

The American will now face Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) in the gold-medal match at 92kg. Yankouski used two arm throws in the first minute of the match to cruise to a first-period technical fall shutout (11-0) over Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN).

At 65kg, Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) halted the run of Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS). The two wrestlers went back-and-forth in a high-scoring affair. The match was filled with action, as well as stoppages for injuries and challenges. 

The first period saw a wild exchange, which resulted in Chakaev taking a 4-3 lead. The first period would end 6-5 in favor of Chakaev. Otoguro turned it up in the second period, taking the lead and building it to 10-6. But Chakaev stayed offensive and cut the deficit to two late. Otoguro, though, was not going to be denied and pulled away for a 15-10 victory and spot in the finals. 

In the other 65kg semifinal match, Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) held on to defeat returning world bronze medalist Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) 4-3 at 65kg. He becomes India's first world finalist since Amit KUMAR made the world finals in 2013.

At 57kg, both returning world finalists fell in the semifinals.

Zavur UGUEV (RUS), a two-time cadet world champion, topped 2017 world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) 7-2, while Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) claimed an 11-0 technical fall over 2017 world silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA).

Takahashi scored the first point of the semifinal match off the shot clock, but Uguev dominated the rest of the way. The Russian used a takedown and exposure to go up 4-1. He then tacked on to his lead in the third period to win by five. 

Sanayev led Gilman 2-0 after the first period before breaking the match open in the second period. He scored with a double leg takedown to go up 4-0 and converted it a lace and quickly built the lead to 9-0. Sanayev then put the match away with another takedown. 

Semifinal Results

57kg 
Zavur UGUEV (RUS) df. Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) by VPO1, 7-2
Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) df. Thomas GILMAN (USA) by VSU, 11-0

65kg 
Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) df. Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) by VPO1, 15-10
Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) df. Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) by VPO1, 4-3

79kg 
Kyle DAKE (USA) df. Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) by VSU, 13-0
Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) df. Ezzatollah AKBARIZARINKOLAEI (IRI) by VPO1, 3-3

92kg 
Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) df. Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN) by VSU, 11-0
J'den COX (USA) df. Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) by VPO1, 5-2

#AmateurMMA

Amateur MMA: Kutzli wins gold for U.S.; Ukraine best team

Saturday, October 18, 2025 - 15:18 By Vinay Siwach

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NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 19) -- It was only her fourth-ever bout but Natalie KUTZLI (USA) showed no lack of experience in defeating Oliwia STAWSKA (POL), and become a world champion at the UWW Amateur MMA World Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Kutzli, the lone fighter from the United States, won by unanimous decision after three rounds against Stawska who has been on the circuit for a longder time.

"I'm just at a loss of words," Kutzli said. "I just feel so surreal."

In the final against Stawska, Kutzli opened the match with clear striking and controlled the round. She followed a similar strategy and never allowed Stawska to land cleanly. Kutzli won all three rounds in the final.

"She was a challenging fighter for sure," she said. "She was really tough. It's just such a amazing opportunity to be able to fight somebody who has that much experience. I loved every second of it."

Hailing from Michigan, Kutzli began her sports career with taekwondo before switching to wrestling. Her mother, Jeanie, would drive her from one practice to another and supported her when she switched sports.

"First person I talked to was my mom," she said. "She's just so proud of me and amazed by me and what I do and I just I made her proud and my family really proud. I do it for her in hopes of someday being in the UFC and be able to pay for my family and just be able to take care of my loved one, so that's my dream.

"From a young age, I was raised by a single mom. So I'm doing this for her and to be able to thank her and just sort of appreciation to my family."

At 57kg, Viktoriia DUDAKOVA (UWW) showed that she belongs to the big league she knocked out Justine TAILFER (FRA) in the 57kg final. The bout went to the second round but Dudakova dominated it throughout.

Dudakova and Tailfer went out of bounds in the second round with the former on top. The referee called it to center and when the bout restarted with Dudakova getting the back mount advantage, she kept her striking with Tailfer not able to defend which forced the referee to call it a knockout.

In other finals, Anna BEZHENAR (UKR) scored a victory via submission against Daria RAMANOVA (UWW) to win the gold medal at 50kg. However, two other Ukraine finalists failed to win.

Veronika SUSHINA (UWW) stormed back after a slow start to beat Yana MELNYCHUK (UKR) via split decision as two judges gave her the win to one who scored it in favor of Melnychuk as Sushina won the 61kg gold.

Khalida TIMOFEEVA (UWW) did not give any chances to the judges to score differently as she defeated Yuliia MELNYCHUK (UKR) via unanimous decision to win at 65kg and bag the gold medal.

At 80kg, Anna ERSHOVA (UWW) had one of the most dominant wins in the final as she humbled Dana DROZHZHINA (UWW), winning via unanimous decision, to claim the gold medal.

Kazakhstan also got a gold medal as Aigerim TOREKHANOVA (KAZ) dominated the final against Veronika VYKHVATEN (UWW) at 53kg to win via unanimous decision. Her strong start in the first two rounds gave her the advantage despite a strong show from Vykhvaten in the final round.

RESULTS

50kg Final
Anna BEZHENAR (UKR) df. Daria ROMANOVA (UWW), via submission

53kg Final
Aigerim TOREKHANOVA (KAZ) df. Veronika VYKHVATEN (UWW), via unanimous decision

57kg Final
Viktoriia DUDAKOVA (UWW) df. Justine TAILFER (FRA), via submission

61kg Final
Veronika SUSHINA (UWW) df. Yana MELNYCHUK (UKR), via split decision

65kg Final
Khalida TIMOFEEVA (UWW) df. Yuliia MELNYCHUK (UKR), via unanimous decision

70kg Final
Natalie KUTZLI (USA) df. Oliwia STAWSKA (POL), via unanimous decision

80kg Final
Anna ERSHOVA (UWW) df. Dana DROZHZHINA (UWW), via unanimous decision