Former ACA heavyweight champion Tony Johnson Jr. rematches Denis Smoldarev, looking to get back in the win column following a three-match losing skid. This is a challenging task for the former champ as his Estonian opponent Denis Smoldarev is riding a two-fight streak, stopping his last two opponents emphatically.
MMA: ACA Heavyweight
Venue: Sibur Arena, St. Petersburg
Where to watch: ACA PPV
Date: 3.11.2023. 18.00
Tony Jonhson Jr.
At 37, veteran Tony “Hulk” Johnson has seen it all. A professional since 2008, Johnson, who has competed in Bellator, One Fighting Championship, Fight Nights Global, and King of the Cage, won heavyweight gold in KOTC and ACA. “Hulk,” who has also competed in bare-knuckle boxing, won the vacant ACA heavyweight championship in late 2020, knocking out Daniel Omielańczuk. Tony Johnson defended the ACA heavyweight strap two times before losing it to Salimgerey Rasulov last year. Since losing his title, Tony Jonhson has lost three consecutive fights.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 37
- Height: 6’ 1”
- Reach: 265 Ibs
- Record: 16-8-2 (1 draw, 1 NC)
Denis Smoldarev
The former M-1 challenge fighter debuted in the ACA promotion in 2019 with a loss to Tony Johnson Jr. He bounced back in his next fight. Denis Smoldarev’s career in ACA has been inconsistent, mostly. Following two losses last year, the 33-year-old stopped his opponent at ACA 157 before grabbing a win in kickboxing. Ranked number eight in the ACA heavyweight class, the Estonian lost to Alexander Volkov and Marcin Tybura earlier in his career.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 33
- Height: 6’ 5”
- Reach: 252 Ibs
- Record: 18-10
Betting Odds
The American Jonhson is a 1.54 favorite on Betwinner, with the underdog at 2.448 odds. 1XBET lists total over 1.5 at 3.2 odds, with Yes for the start of round two is priced at 1.79. Looking at the odds on VBET, the underdog is available at 2.44 odds.
