Artem Vakhitov's dispatching of former champion Saulo Cavalari in the GLORY 38 CHICAGO main event was emphatic. It was one of the most polished performances a fighter has ever delivered under the GLORY banner.
Vakhitov and Cavalari have history. They first fought at GLORY 20 DUBAI, with Cavalari taking a close decision win. Cavalari went on to win the vacant title belt later than year. They then met against at GLORY 28 PARIS last year and on that occasion it was Vakhitov who emerged victorious, shutting Cavalari out over five rounds and taking the belt from him.
In this fight, their rubber match, just under two rounds would be needed. In the first round Cavalari flew at Vakhitov like a man possessed but the Russian's composure was unaffected. Cavalari's wildness suggested nervousness and only added to Vakhitov's confidence. While Cavalari's efforts were visually impressive, they were having little effect on the champion.
Vakhitov, in contrast, was a model of precision. Everything he threw had power and most of it landed clean. His variety of output is very impressive and Cavalari got to sample most of it, eating punches, knees and kicks in a steady flow.
The first round seemed competitive if only because Cavalari kept charging forward to throw himself at the Russian wall of ice. In the second, an air of inevitable victory hung over Vakhitov. He began taking Cavalari apart, his laser-precise right hand the key weapon.
It was a right hand that sent Cavalari staggering backwards to fall against the ropes for the first knockdown of the fight. It was another right hand shortly afterwards which dropped him for the second knockdown.
From then on he was fighting a desperate defensive action while Vakhitov closed him down. Cavalari found himself backed into a corner and moving his head frantically to avoid Vakhitov's blows. As he ducked down, Vakhitov latched onto his head and fixed him in position for a knee strike.
Just as it was about to be delivered the referee stepped in to stop the fight, certain that Cavalari had taken enough punishment and saving him from an unneccesary third knockdown. It should be noted that Cavalari did not protest the stoppage.
In three fights with Cavalari, Vakhitov has gone from losing a close decision, to dominating five rounds, to stopping him under six minutes. The Russian's improvement from fight to fight is evident and in his most recent performances he has ascended to a new level. On the basis of his GLORY 38 performance, he looks set to stay champion for a long time.
Artem Vakhitov (18-5-0) def. Saulo Cavalari (60-5-0), TKO, R2, 2:43
