[Video] Watch Luke Barnatt Get Back To Winning Ways With TKO Win At ACB 81

Luke Barnatt got back to winning ways this evening with a big victory over Maxim Futin at ACB 81 in Dubai.

The Englishman was coming off the back of a loss to Scott Askham last year in what he said would be his last ever fight at 185-pounds. This evening he made his way up to light heavyweight for the third time in his career and kept his winning streak in the weight division alive.

Barnatt vs Futin served as the co-main event of the evening for ACB 81 and Barnatt was given a great reception from the crowd as he entered the cage.

Round 1

Futin landed the first significant strikes of the fight early on, but Barnatt looked unnerved and continued to push forward on the front foot. Barnatt tried landing a knee to the midsection to the midsection of his smaller opponent, but Futin was continuing to catch the Englishman with his overhand right. Barnatt switched to southpaw midway through round one and looked to lead with his jab, Futin though just continued to work away with his right hand which he was landing frequently to Barnatt’s left side. Barnatt continued to land to the body with knees, but it was Futin landing the more frequently of the two and his head movement was on point as he continued to make the Englishman miss.

MMANytt Scoring: Futin 10-9

Round 2

Both men were breathing heavily in their corner before the beginning of the round, but they both continued to throw shots with high frequency early on in round two. Futin attempted to clinch Barnatt early on, but as soon as he grabbed hold of his man he was pushed away to distance. Barnatt continued to land knees to the body at the minute mark and for the first time in the fight Futin began to wince as they landed. Midway through the round, a knee to the body opened up an overhand right and Futin began to look laboured. The Russian was clearly beginning fatigue as Barnatt pushed forward landing to both the knee and body. Barnatt landed a savage flurry of knees and overhands right up against the cage and Futin did nothing but cover up. With Barnatt piling on the strikes and Futin doing nothing in response, referee Lukasz Bosacki waved off the fight.

Luke Barnatt TKOs Maxim Futin in 2R #ACB81 pic.twitter.com/av2nWq0Cxh

— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) February 23, 2018

Luke Barnatt def. Maxim Futin via TKO (knees + punches), Round 2

After the bout, Barnatt admitted he was tentative at the beginning, but said he settled into his task. “Round one was a bit s***, but I finished it off nicely.” Barnatt, who clearly wasn’t happy with the start of the fight admitted that Mamed Khalidov would’ve knocked him out had he been facing him this evening.

After saying he was then going to away to further work on building up his body for 205-pounds, the Englishman then dedicated the fight to his friend who lost their teenage daughter last week.