Azeri bantamweight Magomed Abdulhamidov has hung on for victory despite a thrilling final round from Japan's Satoshi Shimizu.
Abdulhamidov used his shorter stature and faster footwork to work the body well in the early stages, before a torpedo of a right sent the Japanese man crashing to the canvas.
Shimizu continued to walk into range in the second and was punished by the dangerous right of Abdulhamidov, which forced the referee to issue a standing eight count.
Abdulhamidov led by five heading into the last, but all the drama was yet to come.
The energy sapped from the legs of Abdulhamidov as Shimizu launched an onslaught, forcing the Azeri to the deck time and time again as the Japanese unloaded a barrage of blows.
However, the referee failed to issue a single count to the dismay of Shimizu. Abdulhamidov was hanging on for dear life as his legs continued to betray him.
A barnstorming final round ended with Shimizu certain that he had done enough to turn the bout around.
The judges did not agree, and the Azeri booked his place in the next round courtesy of a 22-17 decision.
Michael Penkman
