Former PFL champion Ali Isaev shared insights in an exclusive interview with Telecomasia.net about his recent fight with Steve Mowry in Bellator, which ended in a draw.
I was excited to get a four-fight contract. I prepared well. But one small mistake led to a round being scored 10-8 against me. I clearly won the other two rounds. I can’t say I suffered much damage aside from some cuts. My opponent took his chance, but he looked upset, thinking he lost, while I believed I had won. In American promotions, you always have to be careful with the judges. They don’t want Russian athletes to win. I gave them a reason, and it backfired.
"Only one mistake – I was trying to take him down, and he countered. That’s when everything changed. He took my back and started pounding. I wanted to get up, but he pulled me back down. Eventually, I decided to stay on the ground: ‘Better to hold on here and test myself.’ He pushed for a painful submission but was already exhausted. He couldn’t finish me. It was a test I passed. It happens. I had a good camp, but one tiny mistake led to this result. I could have performed better. Not everything goes the way we want. I also felt a bit rusty after a long break without fights,” Isaev said.
For reference, the fight between Isaev and Mowry ended in a draw. The Russian won the first and third rounds, while the American claimed the second round with a score of 10-8. This was Isaev's first fight after a three-year hiatus.
