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ACB 87 Preview: Tim Wilde Vs Alibek Achazaev

When Absolute Championship Berkut makes its way to UK shores, typically we see a card stacked from top to bottom with Britannia talent. Usually, Welsh, Scottish or English fighters will clash head to head in inter-nation battles of supremacy.

However, we’ve been delivered a left turn with ACB 87, with almost half of the card featuring UK Vs Russian or Brazilian combatants.

One of such fights is the scintillating showdown between Tim ‘The Experiment’ Wilde (12-3) and Alibek ‘Asadullah’ Achazaev (8-2). This Lightweight liaison marks Wilde’s first fight under ACB’s prestigious banner, while Achazaev has made an incredible 7 trips to the ACB cage, with a commendable 5-2 record.

Wilde enjoys a three-fight run in the win column in which could arguably be the best stint of his career. A second-round stoppage win over top European contender Anthony Dizy follows him into this contest, as does the Golden Ticket Lightweight Championship he successfully defended.

Alibek Achazaev is coming off a win in his last outing at ACB 78, and an interesting note is that the Russian has faced fighters from eight different nations in his last eight fights, with Tim Wilde being the ninth. While mixed martial arts gradually edges towards a singular blended art, the variation between gyms in Germany, Brazil and Russia, for example, will offer a unique challenge in each and every fight, and Achazaev never shy’s in the face of this obstacle.

Wilde is capable everywhere, but what makes him specifically exciting is his traditional martial arts base. With a structured yet symphonic kicking style, Wilde uses feints and tactical boxing to set up inventive kicks.

Achazaev is going to want to keep the fight as uncomfortable as possible. He’ll bounce between keeping at a distance where Wilde can’t catch him, and cutting beyond the range and trying to rough him up in close. Alibek likes to take the fight deep, so he wants an ugly fight that prevents Wilde from entering his comfort zone.

Tim Wilde Vs Alibek Achazaev takes place at ACB 87 on May 19th in Nottingham, England. Also featuring on the card are fighters such as Takeya Mizugaki, Pietro Menga, Andre Winner, Robert Whiteford, Kane Mousah, Rob Emerson and Piotr Strus.

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