MMA Combating has Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol stay round-by-round updates for probably the most anticipated boxing fights of the 12 months at Kingdom Area in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday evening.
The primary occasion is anticipated to start round 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Take a look at our Beterbiev vs. Bivol results web page to search out out what occurred on the undercard.
Artur Beterbiev (20-0) is the WBO, IBF, and WBC gentle heavyweight champion. Beterbiev has solely fought as soon as this 12 months when he knocked out Callum Smith within the seventh spherical this previous January.
Dmitry Bivol (23-0) is the WBA gentle heavyweight champion. Bivol knocked out Malik Zinad within the sixth spherical in his solely struggle of the 12 months in June.
Get the Beterbiev vs. Bivol round-by-round stay weblog under:
Prefight: The struggle is sort of upon us! Fighters are taped up and nearly able to go.
Whereas the ESPN+ feed breaks down the struggle, the DAZN feed is displaying hopefully a quick live performance by Ciara and Busta Rhymes. Missy Elliott is now performing her hits now. It’s time for Get Your Freak On and now Work It! This struggle has to begin quickly.
The mini-concert is now over. The walkouts are about to begin.
Walkouts: Beterbiev is first to make the stroll. He’s in a easy white t-shirt, no gown, with black shorts and gloves, and seems to have already labored up a sweat.
Bivol is out subsequent. He’s in a blue, sleeveless gown with blue and black shorts and blue and black gloves. Each males make fast walks and we’re just a few anthems and bulletins away from this factor getting began.
Spherical 1: Each males out in orthodox and Bivol begins issues shortly along with his patented jab. Beterbiev holding the middle whereas Bivol circles round and places that jab to work. Beterbiev testing just a few of his personal however staying very tight. Each me simply feeling one another out. And now Bivol takes the middle and the lead and pumps that jab into Beterbiev’s gloves. Each males have examined the physique just a few instances as effectively, however protection is the secret on each side early. Excessive, tight guards from each. Bivol searches with a left hook across the guard however Beterbiev catches it.
Very affected person spherical from each me. Then Bivol lands a 1-2 down the pipe as Beterbiev lapsed for a second. Beterbiev seeking to land one thing significant however can’t discover it but and Bivol lands a physique shot. Then with brief time each me fireplace combos at one another and Beterbiev appeared to have gotten the higher of the ultimate exchance.
MMA Combating scores the spherical 10-9 Bivol.
Spherical 2: Beterbiev again out to the middle and we’re seeing a sample early: Bivol with extra quantity, primarily the jab, whereas Beterbiev is ready for larger moments. Actually when Beterbiev lands, he does appear to have an effect on Bivol extra, at the very least to date.
Bivol actually placing that jab to work. He’s continually in Beterbiev’s face with it now. However Beterbiev retains coming ahead, shifting Bivol across the ring. Bivol stabs to the physique and retreats. Beterbiev having loads of success backing Bivol down proper now however he’s not placing a lot leather-based down.
Each males blocking many of the exercise now. Beterbiev cornering him and Bivol ready to fireplace then shifting. Beterbiev lands an excellent left hook simply earlier than the bell.
MMA Combating scores the spherical 10-9 Bivol, 20-18 Bivol total.
Spherical 3: Beterbiev proper again to the hunt to begin this spherical. Beterbiev going to choose up the tempo a bit it appears as he fires to the physique. Bivol giving loads of floor now and nonetheless leaning on that jab.
Now Bivol opens up with a 1-2 on the counter that connects and earns some respect. Beterbiev nonetheless marching him down although, placing a jab on him and shutting the house. Bivol’s motion is muting Beterbiev’s offense to date however for a way lengthy?
Beterbiev lands an excellent proper hand as Bivol circles out. Then one other. He’s discovering the suitable hand extra continuously now and he’s strolling Bivol down relentlessly. Bivol decides to dig in and so they stand within the cellphone sales space throwing. Beterbiev appears to get the higher of it although as Bivol has to retreat earlier than the top of the spherical.
MMA Combating scores the spherical 10-9 Beterbiev, 29-28 Bivol total.
Spherical 4: Beterbiev proper again to the center and nearly instantly lands a thudding jab. Bivol staying on his bike however Beterbiev discovering him higher now. Nicely, as I say that, Beterbiev throws a jab and Bivol counters with a strong three-piece. And one other counter from Bivol off the jab. Bivol appears to have discovered one thing within the timing.
Bivol nonetheless shifting round and lands to the physique. He’s gaining confidence as he counters with a combo and will get again on the transfer. Beterbiev loops a proper hook across the guard of Bivol. Beterbiev then lands a counter proper hand in response to a jab.
Bivol actually protecting Beterbiev off stability along with his adjustments and bursts of offense. Brief time and Beterbiev lands an excellent 1-2 as Bivol moved in opposition to the ropes.
MMA Combating scores the spherical 10-9 Bivol, 39-37 Bivol total.
Spherical 5: Bivol comes out and tries to take the initiative to begin this spherical and it leads to the 2 of them exchanging some heavy leather-based within the middle. Each males land OK however Bivol obtained the higher of that one. Now he’s again on his bike.
Beterbiev simply can’t fairly get his energy pictures off but. Bivol is protecting him off stability by mixing his techniques. And there Bivol lands a pleasant proper hand. Beterbiev unphased although and he retains coming, placing his personal proper hook into Bivol.
Oh! BIG jab from Beterbiev snaps Bivol’s head again and that may have damage Bivol. Bivol retreating extra severely now and Beterbiev is on the hunt. Beterbiev lands just a few however Bivol responds with a giant left to realize house. Beterbiev resets and comes once more although and a hook to the guard sends Bivol shifting across the ring.
MMA Combating scores the spherical 10-9 Beterbiev, 48-47 Bivol total.
Spherical 6: Beterbiev again to the middle and lands a heavy proper hand early. Bivol on his bike however Beterbiev is now throwing energy pictures. Bivol has blocked all of them, however they nonetheless bodily transfer Bivol’s physique. He clearly is the extra highly effective man within the ring tonight.
Bivol attempting to stymie Beterbiev with motion however he’s slowing a bit in that regard. Bivol standing his floor just a little extra like he does proper now and he lands an excellent combo. Beterbiev will get proper again on him although and he begins touchdown. Bivol retreating and Beterbiev stalking him. Each males buying and selling jabs in there. And Bivol holding the middle with a strong mixture of his personal.
Snappy left hand from Bivol off a pivot. Beterbiev rips him to the physique although. Beterbiev is brimming with confidence proper now, charging in with energy pictures, and one other massive one lands to the physique. Bivol responds up high however Beterbiev slips because the spherical ends.
MMA Combating scores the spherical 10-9 Beterbiev, 57-57 total.
Spherical 7: Beterbiev proper again to work along with his jab on the lead however Bivol lands a pointy proper hand counter excessive. Beterbiev staying in his face although and sticks the physique. Bivol getting again to his jab right here, then lands an evening lengthy mixture after drawing counters from Beterbiev.
Bivol again to the jab as Beterbiev’s output has slowed this spherical. NASTY counter from Bivol will get Beterbiev shifting again! Beterbiev is likely to be damage! Bivol actually tagged him there. However Beterbiev digs in and fired massive pictures again! If he’s damage, he doesn’t even realize it and now Bivol might have overextended as Beterbiev begins ripping into him. Bivol overlaying up and retreating.
And Beterbiev lands massive pictures! Good little uppercut as Bivol merely covers up till the top fo the spherical.
MMA Combating scores the spherical 10-9 Bivol, 67-66 Bivol total.
Spherical 8: No thought the way to rating that final spherical. Beterbiev obtained tagged however then Bivol obtained tagged on the finish.
Extra affected person begin to this spherical from each males with Bivol within the middle early. Bivol again to his jab, Beterbiev ready a spherical a bit. Now he dips to the physique as Bivol waits. Then Bivol lands a pointy proper to the physique. He’s holding the middle effectively this spherical.
Beterbiev goes up high then to the physique and that one lands. Bivol fires again and he’s beginning to present a bit of wear and tear over his left eye. And Beterbiev is available in to nook him however Bivol pivots out and sticks. Beterbiev lands a pleasant proper and uppercut although. Then a jab. He’s taking management of the spherical. However Bivol tries to get it again on the finish with a mix, Beterbiev blocks all of them after which returns fireplace earlier than the bell.
MMA Combating scores the spherical 10-9 Beterbiev, 76-76 total.
Spherical 9: Beterbiev on the lead this spherical however Bivol lands properly to the physique. Beterbiev lands an excellent looping left and Bivol responds to the physique. Bivol takes the middle and now he’s obtained Beterbiev backed up.
Just for a second although as Beterbiev takes the middle and again to the dynamic. Bivol upping his workrate this spherical although. Bivol sticks to the physique and strikes and once more. Then a mix with a pleasant proper hand from Bivol up high. Beterbiev can’t appear to discover a comfy spot proper now as Bivol tags him to the physique once more.
Beterbiev retains stalking and lands a pair of hooks however Bivol pivots after which fires of some salty punches of his personal. Beterbiev bites down and runs him down however he can’t discover Bivol in there this spherical.
MMA Combating scores the spherical 10-9 Bivol, 86-85 Bivol.
Spherical 10: Beterbiev proper again to the hunt and opens with some energy punches. He wants to do that and he retains it up, placing Bivol on the defensive early. Lands an excellent proper hand and Beterbiev now actually displaying some urgency in there. Bivol retains on the transfer although.
Beterbiev placing each palms on Bivol now. Bivol very defensive to date as Beterbiev works each ranges. Bivol blocking most of this however he’s not getting his personal offense off proper now. He does take the middle however Beterbiev places a jab on him. Beterbiev misses a proper hook and Bivol now bitting down.
Bivol with imply mixtures inside and Beterbiev appears to be like to satisfy power with power. Bivol lands effectively however Beterbiev does as effectively and now Bivol has to retreat. Beterbiev chasing Bivol down because the spherical ends.
MMA Combating scores the spherical 10-9 Beterbiev, 95-95 total.
Spherical 11: Beterbiev again with the urgency to begin this spherical. However Bivol takes the middle and places the jab on him. Bivol attracts out a jab and lands a pleasant proper hand. Now he begins attempting to attract Beterbiev in and Bivol tags the physique. Then a pleasant proper hook up high. Bivol mixing all of it effectively proper now.
However Beterbiev lands a proper hook the conjures up him and now he’s searching. Imply rip to the physique from Beterbiev. Bivol on the retreat however Beterbiev lands one other massive shot to the physique. And a hook up high. Bivol retreating now has to go for a tie up.
Beterbievkeeps chopping that wooden. Bivol blocking most of this nevertheless it’s clearly nonetheless having an impact. Bivol attempting to smother him inside however Beterbiev is unloading on him proper now. That is nasty enterprise from Beterbiev in the meanwhile.
MMA Combating scores the spherical 10-9 Beterbiev, 105-14 Beterbiev total.
Spherical 12: Bivol displaying some swelling over his left eye for actual now.
And Beterbiev comes out to the middle however Bivol attempting to go him off with the jab early. Beterbiev lands a pleasant proper hand excessive although. And one other proper hand. Bivol appears to be like like he’s attempting to handle the spherical.
Nicely, then he rips a pleasant 4-punch combo into Beterbiev. Beterbiev is available in and Bivol rips a nasty shot to the physique in his mixture. Bivol with one other combo on the counter. Beterbiev getting led round a bit.
Massive proper hand from Beterbiev however Bivol strikes off it. He’s on the bike. Beterbiev now getting mixtures of his personal going and Bivol stands his floor to return fireplace. Beterbiev is available in and grabs after a bizarre collision. Beterbiev retains coming after the break and lands a pair of excellent rights. Bivol retreating and tying up. Then fires again. 10 seconds left and so they each fireplace however nothing main lands.
MMA Combating scores the spherical 10-9 Bivol, 114-114 total.
OFFICIAL DECISION: Artur Beterbiev def. Dmitry Bivol through majority choice (116-112, 115-113, 114-114)
