BORETSKostya vs Sanya again: fresh athletes, two formats
July 21, 2026The rematch starts with a change to the original premise. Kostya Zhyvanov no longer meets Oleksandr “Sanya” Oliinyk after four earlier opponents: the two begin fresh. The opening explanation sets two five-minute rounds, submission only, with jackets first and no-gi second. This gives the same pairing a different starting condition and two different gripping environments.
What the revised format isolates
The first gauntlet had made accumulated work part of their meeting. This episode removes that preceding sequence from the setup, but it does not make the two rounds identical. Jackets offer cloth connections; no-gi changes the available grips. Follow the second round as a new phase, not simply more footage of the first.
The published film is edited, so its running time is not the match clock. The announced five-minute format comes from the opening explanation, while the visible cuts compress the action for the episode.
The athletes describe the outcome
In the debrief beginning at 6:12, Oliinyk describes how difficult Zhyvanov was to hold and finish. Zhyvanov says that neither athlete submitted the other this time, then describes leg-lock attempts that did not produce a finish. Those statements support a specific conclusion: the rematch did not repeat the submission ending of their earlier meeting.
They do not supply an official points winner. The announced format was submission only. Watch the escapes and unfinished attacks as part of a competitive exchange, without converting activity or a near finish into a result the athletes did not report.
A historical audience award
The episode asked viewers to choose which performance they preferred through comments and engagement during the voting period after publication. A $300 prize was attached to that audience decision. This was a separate judging mechanism, not a submission or points result.
That invitation belongs to the original release; this overview does not reopen the vote. The useful comparison today is what changed when the same athletes began fresh and moved from jackets to no-gi, and how their own post-match accounts explain the exchanges.
From the YouTube description
Last time, BJJ black belt Oleksandr “Sanya” Oliinyk defeated Sambo fighter and grappler Kostia Zhyvanov. You demanded the rematch — so Kostia came back. This time, we’re not choosing the winner. YOU ARE. The fighter selected by the audience receives $300. Watch the entire match, then begin your comment with: 🔴 KOSTiA / SAMBO — and explain why ⚫ SANYA / BJJ — and explain why Judge the takedowns, control, submission attempts, escapes and who imposed his game. Mention the decisive moment or timestamp. Reply to someone you disagree with and defend your fighter. No draw. Who won? MEET THE BORETS LAB TEAM: 🎯 Coach Ievgen Skyrda https://www.instagram.com/ievgen_skyrda/ 🥋 Oleksandr “Sanya” Oliinyk — BJJ Black Belt https://www.instagram.com/oliinykoleksandr/ 🔴 Kostia Zhyvanov — Sambo Fighter & Grappler https://www.instagram.com/zhyvanov/ 🟣 Anton Bereda — BJJ Purple Belt & BORETS LAB Host https://www.instagram.com/anton.bereda/ Subscribe to BORETS LAB: https://www.youtube.com/@SK-Borets?sub_confirmation=1 Follow the team and share this match with your academy or training partners. #BJJ #Sambo #Grappling
What viewers say on YouTube
Recent public comments on this video, shown in their original language. These are channel comments, not reviews of a school subscription.