Kyle Snyder pins Abdulrashid Sadulaev at RAF Georgia

Olympic champion Kyle Snyder pinned Abdulrashid Sadulaev at RAF Georgia on Saturday, avenging three prior losses to the Russian in a match that ended when Sadulaev grabbed his knee in apparent pain.

The American shot an ankle pick in the third period and drove through for a takedown, according to MMA Fighting. Sadulaev immediately clutched his knee as Snyder secured the pin. Medical personnel helped the Russian off the mat after the stoppage.

Snyder breaks through after close battle

"Tonight, I wrestled this match for Jesus, I wrestled this match for my wife and I wrestled for Georgia," Snyder said after defending his RAF heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight title.

The opening frame saw both fighters trade early scores, with Sadulaev reversing an initial Snyder shot into a chest wrap before the American countered for his own takedown. Sadulaev led 4-2 after the first period, per the report.

Snyder clawed back in the second when a shot-clock violation gave him a point after Sadulaev failed to score. Neither man broke through in a scramble before the restart, where Snyder found the decisive opening on the ankle pick that ended the match.

Sadulaev, making his RAF debut, had beaten Snyder three times previously. The extent of his knee injury was not immediately clear.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Kyle Snyder scores pinfall victory over Abdulrashid Sadulaev in showdown between Olympic champions at RAF Georgia