Round 1 – Touch of gloves starts the night. They feel each other out a bit, and the crows is immediately restless. Low kick from Silva and a right hand counter from Khabilov. Silva moving on the outside. Khabilov bouncing lightly and kicks the leg. Silva answers. Khabilov misses a few big right hands. Silva beckons for action, and referee Neil Hall says the same. Khabilov patient and studying. They exchange a few punches. Khabilov back to the legs a bit. He’s holding the center position and misses a spinning kick before driving inside for a takedown. It’s not there. Less than two minutes remain. Khabilov kicks the legs and shoots again. He’s deep on a single, but Silva defends well. Khabilov misses on a flying knee. Silva with a big left hand that wobbles Khabilov. Silva shoots inside. He’s on top, but Khabilov with a slick sweep to the top. Nice transition. Khabilov finishes on top. MMAjunkie leans toward Silva on the round, though, 10-9.
Round 2 – Khabilov switching stances and fires off a high kick. He kicks the legs, as well. Silva moving laterally on the outside. Khabilov scores with a slick elbow and a right hand behind it. Silva escapes from the position. Silva confident on his feet, dropping his hands and moving his head. Khabilov holding the center. Right hand lands. Silva with a jab to the body. Silva’s output is low, but his defense is sound. Khabilov does sneak in a right hand and kicks the body. Silva wiht his hands low on the outside. He clinches briefly but moves away. Khabilov with a big right hand. Two minutes left. Silva misses a straight left. Khabilov shoots inside. Silva defends well against the fence, but Khabilov switches to an inside trip and gets the takedown. Silva falls to guard. He clinches the body and then releases to turn for an armbar. Khabilov easily pulls free and rives in an elbow. Silva active from his back. He looks again for the armbar, but Khabilov shucks it off and again scores the elbow. Khabilov finishes on top, and MMAjunkie gives him the round, 10-9.
Round 3 – Khabilov the busier man to start. Silva looking to strike, and he fires a front kick to the body followed by a high kick. Silva kicks, and Khabilov rushes forward to grab the takedown. Silva shows impressive defense and balance as he remains upright and scrambles away. Silva kicks to the body. He claps in Khabilov’s face. He drops his hands. Silva trying to bait Khabilov in. Khabilov misses a big right. Silva moving on the outside, and Hall calls for action. Khabilov shoots forward. Silva defending against the fence. Khabilov wraps up the right leg and holds tight. It takes some effort, but he finally drags the action to the knees and then the floor. Silva works quickly up to his knees and then his feet, pushing Khabilov away with a little less than a minute. They trade punches on the feet. Khabilov short on a takedown. Uppercut scores with a big uppercut as Silva shoots. Sprawl for Khabilov. They trade punches at the bell. Silva raises his arms, but MMAjunkie leans toward Khabilov, 10-9, awarding him the fight 29-28.
Result: Rustam Khabilov def. Leandro Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)