Sergey Ponomarev (born July 27, 1995) is a Russian kickboxer. He is ranked as the second best middleweight in the world by Combat Press as of September 2022,[1] and fifth best by Beyond Kick as of October 2022.[2]
Professional career
Ponomarev faced Robert Oganesyan at the February 22, 2019, Tatneft Cup event.[3] He won the fight by decision.[4] Ponomarev next faced Dmitry Baranov at the July 18, 2019, Tatneft Cup event. He lost the fight by a first-round knockout, as he was stopped with a flurry of punches near the end of the opening round. It was both his first professional loss and the first stoppage loss of his career.[5]
Ponomarev faced Konstantin Males at Fair Fight 11 on March 20, 2020. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[6] Ponomarev was next booked to face Mikhail Sartakov at the November 28, 2020 event. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[7] Ponomarev next faced Aliev Ali at the March 8, 2021, Fair Fight event, in a middleweight title eliminator.[8] He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Ponomarev faced Sekou Banguru at Fair Fight XV on November 28, 2021. He won the fight by a first-round knockout, flooring Banguru with a right straight at the 1:05 minute mark of the second round.[9]
Ponomarev was booked to face Sher Mamazulunov for the Fair Fight middleweight championship at Fair Fight XVI on February 12, 2022.[10] He won the fight by split decision.[11]
Ponomarev faced Serdar Yiğit Eroğlu at Ural FC 1 on July 1, 2022.[12] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[13]
Ponomarev faced Gadzhimurad Amirzhanov for the Russian National -86 kg title at Cup of Lotus on September 16, 2022.[14] She won the fight by a fourth-round technical knockout, as Amirzhanov retired from the bout before the start of the fifth round.[15]
Ponomaraev made his first Russian National title defense against Islam Murtazaev at REN TV Fight Club on February 17, 2023.[16] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[17]
Ponomaraev faced Khasan Acinik at Naiza FC 52 & Ural FC 3 on June 23, 2023. He won the fight by a first-round knockout.[18]
Ponomarev was expected to face Ulric Bokeme at Ural FC 4 on October 20, 2023.[19] Bokeme later withdrew for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Juri De Sousa. Ponomaraev won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[20]
Ponomaraev faced Jayden Eynaud for the vacant Ural FC K-1 -85 kg title at Ural FC 8 on October 16, 2024. He won the fight by split decision.[21]
Titles and accomplishments
Professional
Fair Fight
2022 Fair Fight Middleweight (-85 kg) Championship (revoked)
Russian Kickboxing Federation
2022 Russian K-1 -86 kg Championship
Ural Fighting Championship
2024 Ural FC K-1 -85 kg Champion
Awards
2022 Russian Kickboxing Federation Fighter of the Year[22]