[6][7] Rusu faced Matteo Calzetta in the semifinals of the one-day tournament and beat him by unanimous decision.

[8] Rusu faced the two-time World Boxing Council Muaythai champion Cheick Sidibé in an 80 kilogram bout at the July 4, 2018, Tatneft Cup event.

[9][10] Rusu made his second consecutive Tatneft Cup appearance against Victor Monfort on August 24, 2018, once again in an 80 kilogram bout.

The pair previously fought in the finals of the 2017 KOK Hero's welterweight tournament, with Džavadovs winning their first meeting by unanimous decision.

As his condition worsened in the days leading up to the fight, he wasn't cleared to compete at the pre-fight medical check.

[17] He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout, forcing a referee stoppage with a flurry of punches at the 1:53 minute mark.

He previously fought Cristian in the finals of the 2018 KOK Hero's Welterweight Tournament, when was able to beat him by split decision.

[18] Rusu faced Ricardo Fernades for the vacant WKL Middleweight (-75 kg) K-1 title at Fighting Championship Events on June 8, 2019.

Rusu faced Mina Manoli at FEA Kickboxing: Reset on March 13, 2021, following a fifteen-month absence from the sport.

[30] Rusu faced Islam Murtazaev at ONE 162 on October 21, 2022, stepping in as a short-notice replacement for Nieky Holzken, who withdrew with an injury.

[31] At the weigh-ins, Rusu failed hydration test and was forced to take a catchweight, coming in at 173.25 lbs, 3.25 pounds over the limit.