Christian Mbilli and Lester Martinez laid it all on the line at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The super middleweights couldn’t be separated by the judges, who ruled the fight a split draw after a high-octane battle on the Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford undercard.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: (L-R) Lester Martinez lands a left on Christian M'billi in their middleweight WBC interim title fight during Netflix's Canelo v Crawford Fight Night at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

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Mbilli and Martinez put on a show on SaturdayCredit: Getty

One judge had it 97-93 for Martinez, another 96-94 for Mbilli, while the third scored it 95-95 even.

Fight of the Year contender

Mbilli looked to impose his strength early, placing his head on Martinez’s chest and going to work.  

But the Guatemalan met fire with fire, digging in his heels and unloading heavy artillery in return.  

Through two rounds, the pair had already combined to land over 100 punches as the electric pace refused to ease off.  

Mbilli repeatedly punished Martinez with clubbing hooks, while the challenger enjoyed great success with whipping uppercuts as his adversary dipped low.  

In round six, Mbilli stepped off Martinez slightly, creating more space for the shots to land at full extension.  

It led to some quality exchanges, but it also allowed Martinez to claw his way back into the fight.  

In the ninth frame, Martinez appeared to stun Mbilli momentarily with a blistering flurry, and there was a feeling that the fight could rest on the final round as the bell sounded to draw in the tenth.  

Both men threw hell to the wind down the home stretch, with Mbilli finishing strong with a massive left hook that caught Martinez’s attention.

However, it wasn’t enough for the Frenchman to get his hand raised.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: (L-R) Christian M'billi throws a hook at Lester Martinez in their middleweight WBC interim title fight during Netflix's Canelo v Crawford Fight Night at Allegiant Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

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Mbilli and Martinez could be the Fight of the Year so farCredit: Getty

Mbilli retains his WBC interim super middleweight title after being held to a draw and therefore remains in line for a shot at the winner of tonight’s main event.

Calls for a rematch

As appealing as that seems, fans appear to be far more interested in a rematch after witnessing what is sure to be a Fight of the Year contender.

One supporter wrote: “We have to see that again. Mbilli and Martinez put on a show.”

Another tweeted: “Wouldn’t mind seeing a rematch between Christian Mbilli and Lester Martinez. What a fight. Mbilli could also move up and fight the winner of Canelo-Crawford.”

A third remarked: “That has to be fight of the year. Let them do it again.”

Meanwhile, somebody else added: “Rematch needed. What a war!”