Andrei Kulebin vs Mosab Amrani 2009

Andrei Kulebin is a premier European fighter out of Belarus. Most of his experience is in amateur Muay Thai, but there are some big names in amateur Muay Thai because professionals are allowed to compete. He has around 150 fights and I believe his prime weight at the time of the event was 63 kg, which is the weight this bout is contested at. He has since moved up to 67 kg, fighting opponents like Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee. The only really big name he's beaten in recent times is Nopparat Kheatmontorn, though Kulebin remains a highly regarded fighter.

Mosab Amrani was quickly on the rise at the time of the fight. He's well established now and was on a tear in 2009. He beat Anuwat Kaewsamrit by doctor stoppage from a cut at Slamm V, then fought Kulebin, and at the next Slamm event KOed Bovy Sor Udomson in the first round. He is relatively green compared to Kulebin, but has the grace of a more experienced fighter. Both these fighters are able to switch from orthodox to southpaw without compromising themselves. Kulebin wields the blue mitts, Amrani the red.

You'll have to forgive the length of this video. This is the original broadcast in its entirety. There were production problems at Champions of Champions II and this video, unfortunately, preserves some of the breaks in signal.

[edit: Here's a link to a shorter version in case the embedded one is denied: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTAxMzk5NjY4.html]



Thanks to simonjj for the upload. Kulebin's experience really shows through in this fight. Both of them had trouble with the slippery ring, something quite rare and very unprofessional on the part of the promoters, but even with that in the works, Kulebin clearly dominated the fight. Amrani's best weapons were his hand combos and Kulebin either evaded or blocked most of them. Amrani's heavy hands hardly fazed Kulebin, who walked forward using all the weapons of Muay Thai. He landed effectively with punches, kicks, and knees, and the only successful defense Amrani showed was a quick slip of Kulebin's left high kicks. The clinch was a wash for Kulebin. Both athletes showed very good sportsmanship and it was nice to see them be so polite about the dangerous slipperiness of the ring.