<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13213930" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="andrey-koreshkov" source="Orion">Andrey Koreshkov</keyword> landed one of the nastiest spinning back kicks you'll see this month.</li><li>This is because it connected with Chance Rencountre's body, and wrecked his entire world.</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/bellator-mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bellator MMA</a> fighter Andrey Koreshkov wrecked his opponent's world Saturday with a nasty spinning back kick to the body.</p><p>Footage from the <keyword id="11922276" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma" source="Orion">MMA</keyword> promotion's boss Scott Coker shows that it's likely one of the most brutal finishes you'll see this month.</p><p>There is an undeniable difference between scoring a knockout because of a strike to the head, and securing a finish because of a shot to the body.</p><p>One to the skull can cause a person's senses to separate. They collapse to the canvas, and wake up with a severe concussion, and a horrible loss.</p><p>But a blow to the body can cause bruising that can be felt for days, if not weeks afterward.</p><p>A sadistic fighter seeking violence looks for finishes by striking the body.</p><p>At the Bellator 274 event held inside the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, Koreshkov showed that he is one of those fighters against Chance Rencountre.</p><p>And boy, was it beautiful to see.</p><p><strong>Koreshkov scored his knockout in the very first round, and you can watch it right here:</strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">—Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1495243187111313409">February 20, 2022</a></blockquote><p>"It's what we prepared for," Koreshkov said after the win, in a statement sent to Insider. "The spinning back-kick is like a tradition for [MMA team] Storm School."</p><p>Currently ranked No.9 in Bellator's welterweight division, Koreshkov could find himself placed higher after his win is factored in to the next update.</p><p>He already has his next opponent in mind, and challenged English fighter Paul Daley to throw hands. "I know one guy – Paul Daley – I want to kick his ass. He doesn't like wrestling just like me. We will show a great stand-up fight and I will knock him out."</p><p>Koreshkov, aptly nicknamed "The Spartan," advanced his pro MMA record to 25 wins (13 knockouts, four submissions, and eight decisions) against four losses.</p><p>Elsewhere in the card, <keyword id="13213931" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="logan-storley" source="Orion">Logan Storley</keyword> defeated <keyword id="13213932" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="neiman-gracie" source="Orion">Neiman Gracie</keyword> in a main event that may have been designed to showcase two ground game experts, but the fight itself produced a surprising amount of strikes.</p><p>Storley took home the unanimous decision win with scores of (48-47, 50-45, and 49-46).</p><p style="font-weight: 400;">"I was stung for a little bit but I was playing and moving," said Storley after the fight, in a statement sent to Insider.</p><p style="font-weight: 400;">"And then he started wearing himself out and I landed it. I'm a fighter now. That proved it right there. Any doubt I ever had about taking a punch, fighting the best guys – that's the No. 4 guy in the world – and I just beat him.</p><p style="font-weight: 400;">"It was 25 minutes on the feet. That was the most fun I've ever had competing in my life."</p><p style="font-weight: 400;">He continued by remarking that he is now yearning for a title shot in the welterweight division. "I want the belt," he said. "That's why I got in this business … I want to be the best in the world and I want the title next."</p><p style="font-weight: 400;">Earlier in the card, Bellator mega prospect <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/aviv-gozali" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aviv Gozali</a> suffered a shock loss — the first of his career — when he was upset by Bobby King in a dominant performance.</p>

Bellator MMA fighter Andrey Koreshkov wrecked his opponent's world with a nasty spinning back kick to the body

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13205423" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="aviv-gozali" source="Orion">Aviv Gozali</keyword>, a 21-year-old <keyword id="11922276" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma" source="Orion">MMA</keyword> prospect, is keen to take on the greatest of challenges.</li><li>The young Israeli star-in-the-making returns to the Bellator cage Saturday for a fight on Showtime.</li></ul><p>Rising <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/bellator-mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bellator MMA</a> prospect <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/aviv-gozali" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aviv Gozali</a> has issued a warning to emerging lightweight rival <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/usman-nurmagomedov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Usman Nurmagomedov</a> and even said he'd even fight his cousin <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/khabib-nurmagomedov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Khabib</a>, too.</p><p>"I can't wait to fight this guy," Gozali told Insider ahead of the seventh pro MMA of his career Saturday against Bobby Green, which takes place at the Bellator 274 event at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.</p><p>Gozali has developed a reputation as a jiu-jitsu expert as he has submitted every opponent he's ever faced, including a record-setting 11-second finish in just his third fight.</p><p>He's climbed into the lightweight top-10 ranking at Bellator, and should he triumph over Green this weekend, said <a href="https://www.insider.com/aviv-gozali-wants-4-bellator-fights-in-2022-title-fight-2022-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he'd want to fight three to four times in 2022 before bringing a championship match to Israel</a>.</p><p>Potentially in his way is <keyword id="13211640" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="usman-nurmagomedov" source="Orion">Usman Nurmagomedov</keyword>, who, like Gozali, is an undefeated stud in the division, albeit one ranked higher in the weight class.</p><p>Gozali is unfazed about having to fight Nurmagomedov. "Bring him!" the 21-year-old told us this week. "Any time, any place, any weight. Bring him."</p><p>Gozali said he'd fight Nurmagomedov as early as this year. "Let's do it," he said. "I don't fear no one, and I'll finish this man, also. I promise you, if me and Usman are going to fight, he's going to get finished."</p><h2>The young star may have to navigate his way through an army of Nurmagomedovs</h2><div type="image" title="Khabib Nurmagomedov and his cousin Usman, who competes in Bellator." height="1378" width="2000" msid="89691347" hostid="261"></div><p>As Usman is cousins with Khabib, the former UFC lightweight champion who barely broke sweat as he dominated a who's who of elite names in MMA, he may have to handle a build-up involving many members of the Nurmagomedov family.</p><p>Usman had fought in regional shows in Russia, as well as companies in the Middle East like Brave CF and UAE Warriors, before signing a Bellator deal and making his debut with the promotion, last year.</p><p>Ahead of his Bellator debut in April 2021, Bellator boss Scott Coker told Insider that there was almost <a href="https://www.insider.com/nurmagomedov-army-heading-to-bellator-to-support-usmans-debut-2021-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an army of Nurmagomedovs and their training partners</a> heading to the venue to support Usman.</p><p>Should that happen if Usman and Gozali ever fought, Aviv told us he, again, would remain unfazed.</p><p>"If he wants to bring his cousin Khabib, I'll finish him also," Gozali said.</p>

Aviv Gozali issues warning to Usman Nurmagomedov and says he'd also fight his cousin Khabib

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="13205423" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="aviv-gozali" source="Orion">Aviv Gozali</keyword>, 21, returns to the <keyword id="12118724" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="bellator-mma" source="Orion">Bellator MMA</keyword> cage for a fight Saturday broadcast on Showtime.</li><li>The unbeaten super prospect told Insider about his determination to fight four times this year.</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/category/bellator-mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bellator MMA</a> mega prospect <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/aviv-gozali" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aviv Gozali</a> wants to fight four times this year to put himself in a position where he's able to bring a championship bout to Israel in 2023.</p><p>A 21-year-old ground-game expert, Gozali has six finishes — all submission — from six wins in six fights, all inside the Bellator cage.</p><p>He has ended fights with a kimura, anaconda choke, and even set the record for fastest submission at Bellator 225 in 2019 <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-aviv-gozali-18-scores-fastest-submission-in-bellator-history-2019-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">when he defeated Eduard Muravitskiy in 11 seconds</a> with a heel hook.</p><p>Gozali told Insider at the time that <a href="https://www.insider.com/aviv-gozali-was-always-targeting-bellator-record-2019-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">it was a record he had his eyes on in the locker room before the match</a>, and so it is mind-blowing that he had the determination and ability to go out and do it in just his third match.</p><p>Since then, he has continued to grow and is No.9 in Bellator's lightweight ranking.</p><p>Speaking to Gozali this week, ahead of his seventh pro fight at Bellator 274, which takes place Saturday at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, the fighter told Insider about his learnings to date and ambitions this year.</p><p>"I'm just growing up in this sport," said Gozali, as he focuses on taking opponent <keyword id="13205424" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="bobby-green" source="Orion">Bobby Green</keyword> down this weekend.</p><p>"Every year, every fight, I'm getting better. I'm learning this sport more from the little details to the big details. Everything is going amazing now. I'm the best I've ever felt."</p><p>Though Gozali calls that 11-second finish "the biggest moment" of his career, there are other personal highlights as he seemingly makes a stamp on the sport whenever he competes.</p><p>He competed at Bellator 259 in May last year, and though he beat Sean Felton with a first-round heel hook, the preparations were complicated, he said.</p><p>"The last fight was the most important because the training camp for this fight came after a long time that I was off the cage. And I had real problems getting ready for this fight after COVID.</p><p>"I learned a lot about myself, the weight cut, my body. I had a lot of time to figure out how to be the best version of myself."</p><h2>The Gozali story is one of family and an unshakeable father-son bond</h2><div type="image" title="21-year-old MMA prospect Aviv Gozali with his fighting father Haim." height="570" width="900" msid="89673510" hostid="261"></div><p>Away from the battleground and the chokeholds, there lies a sweet story about a proud father and loving son.</p><p>Whether it's Bellator superstar fighter <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/aj-mckee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A.J. McKee</a> and his dad Antonio, or <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/floyd-mayweather" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Floyd Mayweather Jr.</a> and his old boy Floyd Sr., father-son duos can dominate the combat <keyword id="11893855" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports" source="Orion">sports</keyword> landscape.</p><p>Aviv, with his pops Haim — a 48-year-old combatant with 15 wins (one knockout and 14 submissions) against six losses — is the next in line.</p><p>"He's my biggest supporter," said Aviv, with his eyes wide open, smiling, whenever he thinks and speaks about his family.</p><p>"I started when I was a kid. He put me in this sport, and I dedicate all this for him. That's how I'm seeing it.</p><p>"It is the best thing to happen in my life. My father is also an athlete, also a fighter, and he gave everything for me to continue the legacy."</p><p>Aviv and Haim have even competed on the same card, on the same night, for the same promotion, when they fought separate matches at Bellator 234, which took place November 14, 2019, at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel.</p><p>The Gozalis fought on the show's main card, with Haim stepping into the cage one fight before Aviv.</p><p>When Aviv should have been going through the final preparations of his fight backstage, he couldn't help but watch how his dad was getting on in his bout.</p><p>It was distracting. Largely because, as Aviv recalls, Haim was getting hit. And getting hit. And getting hit.</p><p>It created one of the "craziest" memories for young Aviv, who "got mad in the dressing room" over how the night was panning out.</p><p>But it all worked out well in the end, though, as Haim battled back and secured a first-round heel hook against Artur Pronin before Aviv finished Zaka Fatullazade with an anaconda choke in just 56 seconds.</p><p>"That night was amazing for both of us," Aviv told us. "All my family were supporting us and supporting the sport. I have the best family."</p><h2>Gozali now wants to bring a Bellator title fight to Israel</h2><div type="image" title="Aviv Gozali MMA fighter" height="1000" width="1500" msid="89672631" hostid="261"></div><p>As an Israeli fighter coming out of Bat Yam, and with the Bellator 234 show in Tel Aviv creating such an impression on him, Gozali wants nothing more than to bring a Bellator title fight to his home country.</p><p>Doing so will be a challenge.</p><p>The company's champion, Patricky Pitbull, rules over the division, above contenders Sidney Outlaw, Brent Primus, Benson Henderson, Usman Nurmagomedov, and Islam Mamedov. They are all ranked above Gozali.</p><p>But Gozali has youth on his side, and as a mega prospect still forging his name and reputation in this fight game, he seems determined to compete frequently this year and rise through the rankings so that he may get his wish next year.</p><p>"I want to have as many fights as I can," Gozali told Insider.</p><p>First, Gozali must defeat Bobby Green at the Bellator 274 event on Saturday, broadcast on premium U.S. network Showtime.</p><p>Whether it's Green or a ranked opponent, Gozali sees the fight going the same way. "They're going to get finished. One way or another. And this fight is not going the distance. It's not going to be a decision win. I know my level.</p><p>"I have respect for Bobby Green. He's much older than me. He's a great fighter and a tough opponent. But I'm just confident in myself, I know myself, and I know nobody can stop me.</p><p>"I'm good everywhere in the fighting game. I've been working on the fighting game all my life. Nothing can surprise me in the cage. I'm ready for everything."</p><p>Such is Gozali's hunger to fight, he wants to add his name to <a href="https://www.insider.com/bellator-mma-is-booking-one-of-its-greatest-events-ever-2022-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Bellator 277 event — arguably one of the greatest events the California-based MMA promotion has ever put together</a>, in April. He said he wants to finish Green "quick" and then "jump into another one."</p><p>"I'd love to fight over there," he said of the April 15 show. "I'm planning three fights or four fights this year, and next year, I'd love to fight for the belt in Israel and make history."</p><p>Judging by his career so far, few would bet against him getting that shot.</p>

Bellator MMA prospect Aviv Gozali wants to fight 4 times this year and bring a championship bout to Israel

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11099592" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="aviv-gozali">Aviv Gozali</keyword> continues to make a name for himself in mixed martial arts.</li><li>The 20-year-old competes in <keyword id="6150626" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="bellator-mma">Bellator MMA</keyword> and has won every fight by submission in the first round.</li><li>Watch his latest win, a heel-hook submission on Friday, right here.</li></ul><p>Israeli phenom <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/aviv-gozali" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aviv Gozali</a> scored his sixth successive submission win, helping cement his status as one of the best prospects Bellator <keyword id="6403489" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="mma">MMA</keyword> has in its roster.</p><p>The 20-year-old had already taken the Los Angeles-based company by storm when he broke a Bellator record for fastest submission recorded in its history, <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-aviv-gozali-18-scores-fastest-submission-in-bellator-history-2019-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">with an 11-second heel hook in 2019</a>.</p><p>The up-and-coming lightweight has fought every pro fight of his career with Bellator, but is yet to be taken the distance in a bout. He's finished everyone he's ever faced.</p><p>On Friday at a behind-closed-doors event at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, Gozali did to Sean Felton what he's done to everyone he's competed against, and made him tap in the very first round.</p><p>Felton lasted little longer than a minute before succumbing to the same technique that Gozali broke the Bellator record with - the heel hook.</p><p><strong>Watch it here:</strong></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Bellator Europe  (@Bellator_Europe) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1396760227442200578?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2021</a></blockquote><p>With the latest victory, Gozali advanced his unbeaten pro MMA record to six wins (six submissions).</p><p>He is now tied for the third-most submissions in Bellator history, behind Neiman Gracie (seven) and Goiti Yamauchi (eight), <a href="https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/bellator-259-post-event-facts-aviv-gozali-most-submission-wins-all-time-record" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to MMA Junkie</a>.</p><p>At his current rate of development, it will not be long before Gozali breaks into <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/mma/rankings/bellator/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bellator's top-10 rankings</a>.</p>

Israeli MMA phenom Aviv Gozali scored his 6th straight submission and has become one of Bellator's best prospects

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11099592" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="aviv-gozali">Aviv Gozali</keyword>, 20, will fight Sean Felton at Bellator 259 on May 21, a source has told Insider.</li><li>He will fight in his sixth pro bout next month on the show's preliminary card, the source said.</li><li>An unbeaten fighter, Gozali is a Bellator record-breaker thanks to an 11-second submission in 2019.</li></ul><p>Record-breaking 20-year-old Aviv Gozali will return to <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/bellator-mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bellator MMA</a> for a lightweight scrap in May, according to an Insider industry source with direct knowledge of the situation.</p><p>Gozali is one of the Hollywood-based combat <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> promotion's youngest talents, and is rising through its rankings after five submission wins from five outings so far.</p><p>Ranked 10th in the company's 155-pound division, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-aviv-gozali-18-scores-fastest-submission-in-bellator-history-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gozali is renowned for the 11-second heel hook finish</a> he scored against Eduard Muravitskiy at Bellator 225 in 2019.</p><p>The lightning-quick victory sent shockwaves through the <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/mma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA</a> community and remains the fastest submission in Bellator history.</p><p>Gozali told Insider at the time that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aviv-gozali-was-always-targeting-bellator-record-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">he was targeting the record in the locker room before his fight, and it was something he'd been drilling</a> all week.</p><p>To date, all of his finishes have arrived with different jiu jitsu techniques. He's also won with an armbar, a rear-naked choke, an anaconda choke, and a kimura.</p><p>Insider's source told us Gozali will fight for the sixth time at Bellator 259 on May 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.</p><p>Gozali will compete in a lightweight bout against Sean Felton in the preliminary section of the show, our source said.</p><p>Women's fighting superstar Cris Cyborg defends her Bellator featherweight championship against Leslie Smith in the main event of the night, which has already been confirmed.</p><p>Other fights also confirmed include Brent Primus competing against Alexander Shabliy, and Austin Vanderford fighting Fabian Edwards on the main card.</p><p>Bellator 259 will be broadcast on premium network Showtime in the US, and the BBC's online iPlayer service in the UK.</p>

Record-breaking 20-year-old Aviv Gozali returns to Bellator MMA for a lightweight scrap in May

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5dd10fea3afd3713e43f4242-2000/aviv%20gozali.jpg" border="0" alt="Aviv Gozali" data-mce-source="Twitter / Bellator MMA" data-link="https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/1195538149331492867"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/1195538149331492867">Twitter / Bellator MMA</a></span></p><p class="caption">Aviv Gozali.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Aviv Gozali scored another victory in his fledgling career on Friday.</li><li>The 18-year-old Israeli beat his opponent by submission, the fourth time in as many fights that he has finished a fight early.</li><li>Gozali, a submission specialist, is a rising star in the Bellator MMA ranks as Friday's win follows a viral heel hook earlier in the year, an 11-second move which broke the company record for fastest submission.</li><li>Watch Gozali's newest win right here.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>Aviv Gozali added another highlight-reel finish to his Bellator MMA career at the fight firm's show in Tel-Aviv on Friday, November 15.</p><p>Famed for his <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-aviv-gozali-18-scores-fastest-submission-in-bellator-history-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">11-second heel hook earlier in the year</a>, a move which broke the Bellator record for fastest submission in company history, Gozali returned to action this weekend and extended his MMA record to four wins unbeaten.</p><p>Competing at Bellator 234, the same show as his jiu jitsu black belt father Haim Gozali, Aviv Gozali beat Zaka Fatullazade in the very first round, this time with an anaconda choke.</p><p><strong>Watch the finish here:</strong></p><p>It capped a winning night for the Gozali family.</p><p>Haim Gozali, 46, fought his last fight at the Menora Mivtachim Arena, submitting Artur Pronin with a heel hook in the first round.</p><p>In the main event, Linton Vassell bounced back from three successive losses to defeat Sergei Kharitonov with punches.</p><p><strong>Read more:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/conor-mcgregor-has-massive-ego-loves-mirror-john-kavanagh-2019-11?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor loves the mirror, has a massive ego, and will never be a 'fat, old guy,' his coach says</a></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jorge-masvidal-in-for-a-rude-awakening-against-canelo-alvarez-2019-11?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jorge Masvidal will be in for a rude awakening if he manages to coax Canelo Alvarez into a lucrative crossover boxing match</a></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-training-with-conor-mcgregor-2019-10?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor recently surprised beginner boxers by taking over their lesson, shouting at them, and showing them how to punch</a></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/conor-mcgregor-luke-keeler-challenges-ufc-fighter-to-stay-sober-2019-10?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">An Irish boxer is challenging Conor McGregor to 'stay sober' long enough so they can end their war of words and fight for a world title</a></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-tyson-fury-really-like-2019-10?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The real Tyson Fury is quiet, shy, and introverted, according to an Irish boxer who knows him well</a></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-will-conor-mcgregor-fight-in-his-comeback-2019-10?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor is linked with comeback bouts against 4 fighters only weeks after being considered an 'irrelevant' has-been</a></p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>💪 <a href="https://twitter.com/aviv_gozali?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Aviv_Gozali</a> 🔓s in his fourth consecutive pro win via submission.<br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bellator234?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bellator234</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/paramountnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParamountNet</a>. <a href="https://t.co/cBwm35un8O">pic.twitter.com/cBwm35un8O</a></br></p>- Bellator MMA  (@BellatorMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1195538149331492867?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/this-mom-is-winning-halloween-with-movie-inspired-crocheted-costumes-2018-10">This mom is winning Halloween with her movie-inspired crocheted costumes</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" 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An 18-year-old Israeli who broke the record for fastest submission in Bellator MMA history scored another highlight-reel finish in Tel-Aviv

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5d6253292e22af04276d0162-2000/aviv%20gozali.jpg" border="0" alt="Aviv Gozali" data-mce-source="Twitter / DAZN USA" data-link="https://twitter.com/DAZN_USA/status/1165387009499762693"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://twitter.com/DAZN_USA/status/1165387009499762693">Twitter / DAZN USA</a></span></p><p class="caption">Aviv Gozali.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Aviv Gozali, 18, broke the Bellator MMA record for fastest submission win in company history Saturday.</li><li>At the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Gozali finished his opponent in 11 seconds with a heel hook.</li><li>Bellator MMA president Scott Coker confirmed the record on Twitter.</li><li>Watch the submission below.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>Aviv Gozali, an 18-year-old Isreali mixed martial artist, broke the Bellator MMA record for the fastest submission win in the company's history with a lightning quick heel hook Saturday.</p><p>Gozali stood across from the 5-foot-10 Belarusian fighter Eduard Muravitskiy in the first bout on the Bellator 225 show at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and finished his opponent in 11 seconds.</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ronda-rousey-posts-graphic-photo-of-her-bloody-mangled-finger-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ronda Rousey posted a graphic photo of the bloody, mangled finger that surgeons had to reattach to her after a 'freak accident' on a film set</a></em></p><p>Everything about the submission was timed to perfection.</p><p>Gozali ignored his opponent's gesture to touch gloves so he could slide into a single leg takedown within three seconds. He then jostled for a dominant position on the mat and went to work on the heel.</p><p>After Muravitskiy tapped, Gozali ran around the Bellator cage celebrating his win.</p><p><strong>Watch the submission here:</strong></p><p>Bellator MMA president Scott Coker confirmed the record on Twitter.</p><p>It should perhaps be no surprise that Gozali appears to be a highly-skilled jiu jitsu practitioner, as he is the son of Haim Gozali, the 46-year-old welterweight fighter who has won many gold, silver, and bronze medals in submission grappling and Brazilian jiu jitsu events.</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/conor-mcgregor-apologetic-over-pub-incident-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conor McGregor has apologized and said he needs to get his 'head screwed on' after footage showed him punch an older man in a pub</a></em></p><p>Haim Gozali is a fourth degree black belt. His son's 11 second win Saturday was the teenager's third victory Bellator MMA win, all of which have been via first round submission.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Fastest submission in <a href="https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BellatorMMA</a> history 🙌<br><br>What a start to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bellator225?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bellator225</a> 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/zs9xkD1evX">pic.twitter.com/zs9xkD1evX</a></br></br></p>- DAZN USA  (@DAZN_USA) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1165387009499762693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>18-year-old <a href="https://twitter.com/aviv_gozali?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Aviv_Gozali</a> just set a record for the fastest submission in <a href="https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BellatorMMA</a> history at 11 seconds.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bellator225?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bellator225</a></p>- Scott Coker  (@ScottCoker) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1165385742446673921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nba-teams-2019-beat-1996-chicago-bulls-basketball-players-better-2019-8">Statistics tell us today's NBA teams would beat the 1996 Bulls</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/oqJJcYD1-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

An 18-year-old jiu jitsu specialist scored the fastest submission in Bellator MMA history on Saturday, finishing his opponent in 11 seconds with a heel hook

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5d659aa72e22af0a405a46c5-2000/aviv gozali bellator mma.jpg" border="0" alt="Aviv Gozali, Bellator MMA" data-mce-source="Bellator MMA" /></div></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Aviv Gozali is the 18-year-old Israeli who broke a Bellator MMA record Saturday.</li><li>Gozali finished his opponent in 11 seconds at the Bellator 225 show in Bridgeport, Connecticut - the fastest submission in the mixed martial arts firm's history.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-aviv-gozali-18-scores-fastest-submission-in-bellator-history-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The teenager's heel hook went viral</a>, and he told Business Insider that it was something he had been practising all week.</li><li>He said he asked MMA manager Mike Kogan what the Bellator record for fastest submission was before the bout, then used his answer as motivation in the fight itself.</li><li>Gozali said he later saw his opponent in a wheelchair and thinks he broke his foot.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>Backstage before a big fight, athletes do a variety of things to get ready for competition.</p><p>Some lie down, put massive headphones over their ears, and visualize the fight they want to fight. Others experience a full range of emotions, as the former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson who famously cried before walking to the ring and knocking an opponent out, will testify.</p><p>18-year-old Israeli Aviv Gozali is different.</p><p>Gozali told Business Insider that when he was in the locker room before <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-aviv-gozali-18-scores-fastest-submission-in-bellator-history-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T">his fight on Saturday</a>, he asked MMA manager Mike Kogan what the record for the fastest submission in Bellator history was. He was told it was 15 seconds.</p><p>Gozali told Kogan he was going to break the record. He then walked to the Bellator 225 cage at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, stood across from his opponent Eduard Muravitskiy, then when the fight began he slid an Imanari roll into a single-leg takedown and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-aviv-gozali-18-scores-fastest-submission-in-bellator-history-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T">submitted Muravitskiy with a heel hook.</a></p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-aviv-gozali-18-scores-fastest-submission-in-bellator-history-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch an 18-year-old jiu jitsu specialist score the fastest submission in Bellator MMA history, finishing his opponent in 11 seconds with a heel hook</a></em></p><p>It was over after 11 seconds. The move went viral. Gozali rewrote the history books.</p><p>"I feel amazing," Gozali told Business Insider this week. "It's an unbelievable feeling, what I feel right now. It's crazy."</p><p>There is a lot of work that goes into becoming an overnight success. Gozali told Business Insider he had practised the heel hook 50 times a day on the week of the fight. And even with all that training, he still had to improvise, because he missed the leg he was aiming for.</p><p>"So I go to the other leg. As soon as I miss the leg, I knew I had to go to the other leg.</p><p>"This heel hook … the pain is in the knee, but I think I broke his foot. I saw him in a wheelchair [after the fight]."</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aviv-gozalis-11-second-submission-win-was-completely-rehearsed-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The 18-year-old Israeli's 11 second submission win was completely rehearsed, just like Jorge Masvidal's 5 second flying knee knockout last month</a></em></p><p>Gozali's finishing move didn't come without criticism. Reader comments on Business Insider's social media pages questioned Gozali's sportsmanship, as he ignored Muravitskiy's attempt to touch gloves at the start of the fight.</p><p>Gozali told Business Insider he did touch gloves, but he did so as soon as he was in the cage rather than the start of the fight. Had he touched gloves at the start, it would have wasted the seconds he needed to break the Bellator record, he said.</p><p>"I went into the ring and touched the gloves before the fight because I knew what I'm going to do, I knew that I'm not going to touch his glove at the start because I want to break the record," he said.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5d62cf9b2e22af0100287a12-2000/aviv gozali.jpg" border="0" alt="Aviv Gozali" data-mce-source="Bellator MMA" /></div></div></div></p><p>After the bout, he said: "Everybody was choked backstage. It took a couple of minutes for everyone to realize I had won in 11 seconds."</p><p>Gozali has fighting in his blood as his father, the 46-year-old fourth degree Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt, is also an active competitor in Bellator, and both will be fighting on the same card together on November 14 in Israel.</p><p>"My next fight is going to be November 14 on the main card in Tel Aviv, Israel," he said.</p><p>"Bellator does an event every year, and me and my father fight, both of us, in the same card, again. It's going to be amazing over there."</p>

The 18-year-old Israeli MMA fighter who secured an 11-second submission win says he was targeting the record before the bout had even begun

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5d62cf762e22af066a06f652-2000/aviv%20gozali.jpg" border="0" alt="Aviv Gozali" data-mce-source="Bellator MMA" /></div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>Aviv Gozali's 11 second submission win was completely rehearsed backstage.</li><li>Gozali broke a new Bellator MMA record when he finished his opponent Eduard Muravitsky seconds after the opening bell.</li><li>The event was broadcast on DAZN and DAZN's MMA expert Robin Black showed exclusive coverage of Gozali working on the heel hook with his father, Haim Gozali, backstage.</li><li>This attention to detail is reminiscent of the work that went into Jorge Masvidal's UFC record breaking knockout win over Ben Askren, last month.</li><li>Masvidal hit Askren with a flying knee seconds after the opening bell at UFC 239, knocking the previously unbeaten wrestler out in five seconds.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>Aviv Gozali's 11 second submission win on Saturday was completely rehearsed, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-jorge-masvidal-knocked-ben-askren-out-in-5-seconds-2019-7?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">just like Jorge Masvidal's five second flying knee knockout</a> in July.</p><p>Gozali, an 18-year-old Israeli, was headline news because of his record-breaking finish at the Bellator 225 event at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut.</p><p>The jiu jitsu specialist ignored Eduard Muravitsky's gesture to touch gloves to instead imanari roll into a single leg takedown. Seconds later, he had a grip on his ankle and positioned himself into a heel hook.</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bellator-exploiting-market-seemingly-neglected-by-the-ufc-2019-7?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MMA firm Bellator wants to exploit a market that has been largely neglected by the UFC, and Conor McGregor's coach John Kavanagh is a crucial part of the plan</a></em></p><p>Muravitsky tapped out 11 seconds into the fight and a Bellator MMA record had been set.</p><p>Gozali had executed the fastest ever submission win in the company's history, ran around the Bellator cage to celebrate, and then got his arm raised as the 165-pound catchweight winner.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5d62df592e22af03db5f1e85-2000/aviv%20gozali.jpg" border="0" alt="Aviv Gozali" data-mce-source="Bellator MMA" /></div></div></div><p>But the submission was something he had been practised to perfection before the event.</p><p>After Bellator 225, DAZN's MMA expert Robin Black said "it was all be design."</p><p>Black showed an exclusive clip on his Twitter account of Gozali "setting this up, training it, rehearshing it" backstage with his father, the 46-year-old fourth degree Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt Haim Gozali.</p><p><strong>Watch Black's breakdown here: </strong></p><h2>Gozali not the first fighter this year to break a record</h2><p>Gozali's Bellator record follows Masvidal's UFC record last month.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5d62e6f12e22af045d441ae3-2000/watch%20jorge%20masvidal%20ko%20ben%20askren.jpg" border="0" alt="Watch Jorge Masvidal KO Ben Askren" data-mce-source="Photo by Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC" data-link="https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/jorge-masvidal-finishes-ben-askren-in-their-welterweight-news-photo/1154230967?adppopup=true" /></div></div></div><p>Welterweight fighter Masvidal faced the previously unbeaten wrestler Ben Askren at UFC 239 in Las Vegas.</p><p>Masvidal, with his back to the Octagon fence, waited for the referee to go through his final instructions. And as soon as the action was called, he took a sidestep then lunged at Askren, who instinctively went for a takedown.</p><p>The Floridian seemingly knew this and jumped into his flying knee, connecting with Askren's face who fell concussed to the floor. Masvidal <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-jorge-masvidal-knocked-ben-askren-out-in-5-seconds-2019-7?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">celebrated by mocking his unconscious opponent</a>, and said later he never belonged in the UFC to begin with.</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jorge-masvidal-ben-askren-doesnt-belong-in-ufc-2019-7?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jorge Masvidal said Ben Askren doesn't even belong in the UFC after he got obliterated in a couple of seconds</a></em></p><p>Within one day, it became increasingly apparent that Jorge <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jorge-masvidals-record-ko-win-over-askren-rehearsed-2019-7?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Masvidal's five second knockout win was completely rehearsed</a> in the gym.</p><p>Masvidal trains at the Florida-based American Top Team gym and one of the gym's coaches <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jorge-masvidals-record-ko-win-over-askren-rehearsed-2019-7?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted a video</a> on Instagram showing Masvidal "drilling" the flying knee 48 hours before he stunned Askren.</p><p>Another American Top Team fighter, the interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier, posted a tweet that appeared to show a screenshot of a text message.</p><p>The text message, sent hours before Masvidal had even entered the cage, said Masvidal was planning to hit Askren with a flying knee as soon as the fight started.</p><p>Masvidal's fame catapult as a result and he is now on a collision course with Nate Diaz, as the pair look to fight for the mythical <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ufc-boss-dana-white-is-down-with-nate-diaz-vs-jorge-masvidal-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"baddest mother-f----- in the game belt."</a></p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jorge-masvidal-in-negotiations-for-ufc-fight-with-nate-diaz-2019-8?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jorge Masvidal says he's in negotiations for a UFC fight with Nate Diaz which would look like 'two dogs, locked in a cage, going for the jugular'</a></em></p><p>It is unclear who Gozali will fight next.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>FIRST EVER <a href="https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BellatorMMA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BINK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BINK</a> of The Night!!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/aviv_gozali?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aviv_gozali</a> w/ the Fastest <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Submission?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Submission</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bellator?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bellator</a> History! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bellator225?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bellator225</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/DAZN_USA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DAZN_USA</a><br><br>Enjoy The Hostilities My Friends.<a href="https://twitter.com/dillondanis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dillondanis</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ryanhall3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ryanhall3</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/eddiebravo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@eddiebravo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/joerogan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@joerogan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ChaelSonnen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChaelSonnen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/espnmma?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@espnmma</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/rich_chou?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rich_chou</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottCoker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScottCoker</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bjj?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bjj</a> <a href="https://t.co/ngAjsM4eDY">pic.twitter.com/ngAjsM4eDY</a></br></br></p>- Robin Black  (@robinblackmma) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1165502912677785600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

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An 18-year-old Israeli who broke the record for fastest submission in Bellator MMA history scored another highlight-reel finish in Tel-Aviv

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An 18-year-old jiu jitsu specialist scored the fastest submission in Bellator MMA history on Saturday, finishing his opponent in 11 seconds with a heel hook

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The 18-year-old Israeli MMA fighter who secured an 11-second submission win says he was targeting the record before the bout had even begun

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The 18-year-old Isreali's 11 second submission win was completely rehearsed, just like Jorge Masvidal's 5 second flying knee knockout last month

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