Sherdog’s live
UFC Abu Dhabi coverage will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m.
PT. The event is also known as
UFC Fight Night 281.
Round 1
Good morning, Vietnam Abu Dhabi! Hey, this is not a test.
This is rock and roll. Time to rock it from the Nile delta to the
UAE. Is that me, or does that sound like an Elvis Presley movie?
Viva Yas Island. Yas Island me, Yas Island me, why don’t they get
a…anyway, it’s time for the breakfast of champions: fist fighting
in the early morn. The show opens with a bantamweight battle that
may make referee Mike Beltran relieved as it might end in the blink
of an eye. Gibson (21-12, 3-7 UFC) has his back against the wall in
his second UFC stint, while Hussein (15-2, 0-0 UFC) is going to try
his utmost to make a good first impression. Solid sportsmanship
from the two is on display as the athletes gladly touch ‘em up to
begin our day. Hussein, the shorter man, comes out of his corner reaching out his
jab. Gibson swats him back with hooks that are out of range but
threatening. Gibson comes up with a front kick up close that sounds
like it hits the cup, but Hussein does not flinch and keeps going
after his opponent. Gibson backs him up with a right hand, and he
follows with a one-two to draw out a reaction. Hussein attacks, and
Gibson shoots for a double-leg entry and plants the debuting
fighter on his back. Gibson, in the scramble, snatches up a
guillotine choke and uses it to roll to full mount. Gibson
transitions to an anaconda choke when Hussein fights the grip, and
he chains that into a ninja choke. Hussein is cool as a cucumber
through the entire exchange, surviving the chokes while never
panicking. This allows him to slither out of danger and end up in
north-south position on top. Gibson twists to reach his own knees,
not interested in sticking around on his back, and Hussein holds on
from the back of his opponent’s neck.
Gibson grips hold of a leglock, using the surprising submission
attempt to force his way back to his feet, where he presses Hussein
to the wall and knees him in the stomach a few times. Hussein turns
and breaks off, taking a low kick on the way out. Hussein tries to
crowd the veteran, but Gibson is wily and offers faked takedown
shots and sneaky elbows over the top. Gibson clips Hussein as they
dirty box with one another, and Hussein gives him some payback with
a crisp uppercut on the jaw. Hussein puts on the pressure, and the
two bang heads together a couple times like dueling bulls. Gibson
rips the body a few times and gets Hussein’s attention upstairs,
only for Hussein to grab his right hand and tag him with his free
right. Gibson breaks off and resets, hopping on his heels a couple
times, and Hussein grabs him from the scruff of the neck and knees
him in the forehead. He does so a few more times, as Gibson appears
to already be fading. Hussein pressures him with a few more elbows
before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gibson
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gibson
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Gibson
Round 2
Gibson reintroduces himself with a few low kicks to start off the
round, but his guard is low and he leaves himself wide open. As it
turns out, Hussein sees this too, and blasts him in the face with a
right hand. Gibson topples to his back, and Hussein looks to pound
him out. When Gibson sits up to force a takedown shot, Hussein
snags hold of a guillotine choke to give Gibson a taste of his own
medicine and roll into a three-quarter mount position. Gibson is
wise to it enough to defend the guard pass to full mount, and he
keeps the Finnish athlete on his side. Gibson turns towards his
adversary to defend against ground strikes, not sticking to one
place so that he is vulnerable to more offense. He pushes Hussein
off with his feet, only for Hussein to drop down and bash him in
the face with a standing-to-ground punch. Hussein grabs a front
choke, and he transitions it to a brabo choke with Gibson on his
back, toes in the fence for the American the whole while.
Hussein sits down on the choke to squeeze with all he has, but
Gibson is a tough egg and frantically twists to break free of the
submission. With the gilly, Hussein relocates himself to mount, and
Gibson times his escape. This allows Hussein to grip another brabo
choke, and this is tighter. Gibson manages to tough this one out as
well, but he appears to be flagging in a big way. Gibson drags his
man back to half guard, but Hussein does not mind as he postures up
and slugs the Californian in the chops a few times. Gibson’s sweep
efforts are in vain for anything more than moving Hussein to his
guard, and he grabs the back of Hussein’s neck to nullify him until
time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hussein
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Hussein
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Hussein
Round 3
Gibson informs his corner that he is spent, but they motivate him
to go out for the third frame and give it all he has. Hussein
senses that Gibson is on the way out and immediately goes after
him. Hussein initiates the clinch to nail the California native
with knees, and Gibson rattles off a clean dozen body shots before
getting one off. As Hussein backs Gibson to the fence and pays him
back with interest in the form of punches to the head and
midsection, Gibson kicks his foot out and trips the newcomer up.
Gibson tries to use the surprise move to snatch up a desperate
submission and Hussein rolls through it and pushes Gibson over to
grind him out. Hussein drops down left hands when he can offer
them, and Gibson is solely focused on finding any sub that he can
muster. Hussein glides through them, sprawling and shifting to keep
Gibson grounded.
With Gibson on his knees, Hussein stands up and knees him in the
ribs. Gibson grimaces but uses the moment to explode to his feet.
The Finnish fighter hits a trip and puts Gibson back down, where he
wants to finish the job now.
Rather than beat on Gibson to wear him down, he sees that Gibson’s
energy bar nears zero and positions himself into half guard to
initiate an arm-triangle choke. Pressing his body weight down with
his right shoulder trapping Gibson’s arm above his head, Gibson is
in big trouble. Knowing that it is either a tap or the smelling
salts, Gibson surrenders. Hussein dismounts his
defeated opponent and appears more relieved than anything, as he
picks up his 10th career submission while improving his finish
streak to nine straight.
The Official Result
Abdul Hussein def. Cody Gibson R3 3:07 via Submission (Arm-Triangle
Choke)
Round 1
Hey, is it a little too early for being that loud? Hey, too late.
Lightweights are on stage next, and it could be a good one as
unbeaten Aliev (11-0, 3-0 UFC) comes to blows with Davis (12-3, 5-2
UFC). Drastically different methods of victory will clash, given
that the Tajikistan native tends to need all three rounds to get
the job done, while “Beast Boy” can—and has on numerous
occasions—put down a foe in under three minutes. Referee Jim
Perdios will officiate this early preliminary matchup, one that
begins with a glove touch.
Davis comes right towards the man from Tajikistan, who counters
with a single-leg shot that pushes Davis to his knee at the other
end of the cage. Davis leans against the fence to walk back to his
feet, and Aliev trips him up immediately to put him on his back.
Davis sits up through sheer force of will and some slick butterfly
hooks, drawing into a standing clinch where he bops “Tajik Eagle”
with a few shoulder strikes. Aliev prefers to maintain position
rather than do damage, and he explodes into a trip attempt and
chains that to a double. The double succeeds, and Davis hits his
seat for but a moment. Davis sits up on his knees, with Aliev on
him like a cheap penny, a bad suit, you name it. Aliev thumps Davis
in the thigh and posterior a few times with high-amplitude knees,
and the paint continues to dry.
Aliev controls Davis and briefly puts him on his back again, but
Davis is springy and fights back to his feet again with Aliev on
him the whole time. Davis rolls to escape, and Aliev snatches up a
single at the tail end to trip him again. Davis hits his back and
has to establish his guard, where he slashes up with elbows. Aliev
is a dog with a bone going after the low ankle pick, and Davis
feasts on this with several concussive elbows to the side of the
dome. As Aliev appears stunned, Davis rolls all the way around to
nearly take the back. Just at the final moment, Aliev twists at the
right time to put Davis on his back. Davis employs a high guard to
tie up Aliev with a triangle choke, using it to elbow Aliev a few
times and otherwise trap “Tajik Eagle” in a cage of legs. Davis
re-fastens his leg grip and squeezes, but the round ends before he
can get anything out of it.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Round 2
A high-five starts off things in the second round, and this time,
Aliev wants to test himself on the feet…or at least, he presents
with that strategy. After they trade hands for a few seconds, Aliev
shoots in for a double, and Davis reverses the position, scrambles
to throw his legs up, wraps those legs around Aliev’s head and gets
turned to his back. Davis tries to complete the triangle choke, but
Aliev keeps pushing and escapes the sub to wind up on top. Aliev
smothers his adversary and offers up a few left hands when not
fighting the hands. Davis tries for another high guard for control
purposes, and Aliev scoots him to the fence to change the leverage
and disallow that type of sub. Davis thanks him for this by sitting
up to put his back to the fence, which also protects him from
chokes from behind. Davis posts off his hands to get to his knees,
and Aliev is behind him kneeing him in the backside. Aliev connects
with a number of left hands, and picks up the pace when he starts
to have success. Perdios orders Davis to fight back, and Davis
responds by rolling over to not only push off but stand back to his
feet.
Davis, seeing that Aliev might be slowing—operative word
“might”—goes after him with a barrage of punches. Aliev fires back,
gets caught with an uppercut sand and shoots through it for a
single. Davis gets dragged to his back again, but he does not stick
around there for long as he repositions himself against the fence.
Aliev knees him in the buttocks a few times and one or two land on
the spine, which is illegal but completely ignored by Perdios.
Davis also ignores these feeble strikes to explode back to his
feet, but he cannot get Aliev off of him. Aliev has him wrapped up
against the cage, and he lets it go to punch. What he fails to
realize is that Davis wants this, and Davis pegs him with a speedy
salvo right before the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aliev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Aliev
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Aliev
Round 3
Davis offers up a glove touch, and this leads to a tender embrace
in the midst of a wrestling match with a little punching involved.
Davis, on the feet, does what he can to stave off Aliev. Aliev
wants to close the distance with his right hand and shoot directly
after it, and he ducks under a punch from “Beast Boy” to pursue and
complete a low single. Davis has no defense for this takedown, and
when on his back, pushes off Aliev’s face as a thumb slides
ever-so-slightly into the eye socket. Perdios does see this and
tells Davis to watch it. It is Davis who is active off his back,
with short elbows, hammerfists and anything he can offer until he
manages to sweep his man. Aliev allows him back on his feet for
mere seconds before hitting a double to put him back down in an
ultimate morale crusher.
Aliev embraces the grind with Davis’ neck pressed against the
fencing, glomming on top of his adversary while grabbing the fence
to maintain his position. Perdios slaps his hand out of the links,
and the Tajik releases them. Davis gets to one knee and takes a few
more knees to the hindquarters, while he elbows behind himself
hoping something may slash open a cut. Aliev will not let Davis go
in these exchanges, keeping his hands clasped or always working on
some sort of takedown. Davis tries to sneak out, and he uses a knee
to push Aliev off of him with 30 seconds to spare. Aliev is
desperate to get the fight down, and Davis bowls him over and lands
on top. Aliev shells up and keeps hold of both of Davis’ wrists,
and Davis complains of this. Out of nowhere, Aliev explodes into an
armbar and flips Davis over, straightening the arm out the second
that time expires. A few more seconds, and he would have had that.
Thus ends a fairly ho-hum matchup involving Aliev, who has gone the
distance in every one of his UFC fights.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aliev (29-28 Aliev)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Aliev (29-28 Aliev)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Aliev (29-28 Aliev)
The Official Result
Nurullo Aliev def. Mike Davis via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27,
30-27)
Round 1
Of their combined 22 wins, Ribeiro (17-10, 1 NC; 2-5 UFC) and
Tuchalov (5-0, 0-0 UFC) have required the services of the judges’
final tallies just one time—and it was Ribeiro in his first UFC
win. Referee Dan Movahedi will be on his best behavior watching out
for the mayhem that is about to unfold between these two
action-packed 205ers. They do not tap gloves together before coming
out to fight.
It is not the immediate blitz as some expect, as the two light
heavyweights would prefer to measure one another with single
distance-seekers like front kicks and jabs. It is a stalemate for
the first minute, neither man willing to commit. Tuchalov strafes
at the outer edge of the cage with Ribeiro walking him down, and
Tuchalov gets off a couple low calf kicks. Ribeiro strides into the
pocket behind three punches, and he backs off to kick the lead leg.
Tuchalov intercepts the advancing Brazilian with a kick to the
ribcage, and they go back to shadowboxing. Tuchalov fakes a
takedown, and Ribeiro’s reaction is exaggerated. Ribeiro steps in
behind a right hand, and the thud it makes echoes in the Etihad
Arena.
Tuchalov chips at the front leg, and Ribeiro lifts it to prevent
it. Ribeiro strides towards his foe, looping a big right hand that
just misses. He does land a calf kick, and then another, during a
lull. Tuchalov’s only offense nearly four minutes in is basically a
handful of low kicks, and he is warned for outstretched fingers.
Ribeiro reaches him at the end of a one-two, backing him way up. A
second looping right after it slides past his foe, with Tuchalov
moving and shifting but not throwing anything of note. Tuchalov
lets go with a big right hand, and brimming with confidence, he
leaps at Ribeiro with a knee and gets blasted with a right on the
way down. Tuchalov falls to the ground, a cut under his eye, and he
explodes back to his feet the survive to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ribeiro
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ribeiro
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Ribeiro
Round 2
It takes 15 seconds for a fighter to throw a strike in the second
round, with Ribeiro offering up a calf kick. Tuchalov responds with
one, and it takes him 30 more seconds to put together a one-two.
Low kicks from both sides are dangled out, and after more
inactivity, Tuchalov rushes forward to strike. Tuchalov is warned
for outstretched fingers again, and he ducks a punch to fires off a
big right hand of his own. Ribeiro no-sells it, and they jab at one
another for a while.
Tuchalov finally loads up and releases a big right hand, nailing
the Brazilian on the temple and messing him up badly. Ribeiro has
no poker face and stumbles back, and Tuchalov races after him to
not pound on him but instead throw him to the ground. Ribeiro
fights back to his feet without taking much damage, and Tuchalov
scrapes his thumb across his foe’s eye socket on the way out.
Movahedi calls time and fusses at him for a spell, and they resume
after about a minute. Ribeiro appears to have recovered, and he
marches down the Russian with his jab outstretched. Tuchalov
strings a two behind a jab to get Ribeiro’s attention again, and he
leaps for another knee and comes up short. Ribeiro tries to back
him off with punches, tape on his right glove flapping in the wind,
and he gets caught with a right hand and dumped to his back with a
double. Ribeiro lays on his back with his hands behind his head,
and the tepid round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tuchalov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tuchalov
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Tuchalov
Round 3
Ribeiro appears to want a glove touch, but the Russian is not
interested. Ribeiro leads off the round with jabs to the body,
parrying the responsive jabs. Ribeiro gets caught with an overhand
right, and he reels, but he is able to recover and stands in front
of the unbeaten fighter. Ribeiro spurs into action with four or
five punches, and he is met with a tackling double as Tuchalov
plants him firmly on his back. On his back, Ribeiro hacks with
elbows, but they hit the back of the head. Tuchalov lords over
Ribeiro kicking him in the legs, until Movahedi allows Ribeiro to
stand back up. Ribeiro thanks him for this by shooting his own
takedown in the Russian, and Tuchalov turns it against him and
hurls “The Gorilla” to the floor. Ribeiro scrambles and gives up
his back to stand, and Tuchalov hangs on from behind and wrenches
him to his knees. Ribeiro tries to defend with a kimura to sweep,
but Tuchalov is not having it.
Tuchalov realizes that with this approach, he does not have to get
punched in the face anymore. He wrangles Ribeiro to the mat again,
shrugging off a kimura so that he can position himself in side
control. Ribeiro turns over to his knees, and he still has the
unbeaten fighter draped across his back like a malicious cloak
probably weighing around 230 pounds. Ribeiro sells out for a
desperate leglock, and Tuchalov punches him a few times to break it
up. Tuchalov fastens an arm-triangle choke and jumps to the side
with 10 seconds left, and Ribeiro stops it and catches Tuchalov
with an elbow right before the disappointing display of light
heayvweights comes to an end.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tuchalov (29-28 Tuchalov)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tuchalov (29-28 Tuchalov)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Tuchalov (29-28 Tuchalov)
The Official Result
Magomed Tuchalov def. Brendson Ribeiro via Unanimous Decision
(29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Round 1
Oh, how the turn tables. Bonfim (20-6, 2-3 UFC) and his brother
were the talk of the town off of their shared episode of DWCS in
2022. Now, this Bonfim has dropped three of four, all by stoppage,
and Boxing Squad’s Sola (11-1-1, 1-1 UFC) is up next to see if he
can rearrange the Brazilian’s face. Referee Marc Goddard clocks in
the lightweights as they share a swift clap of hands.
Sola is quick to get behind a jab, claiming the center of the cage
and pushing forward. The smaller Bonfim kicks him in the knee, and
Sola responds with a body kick that lands with an audible thud.
Bonfim reaches with a left hand and is just out of range, and he
catches a body kick and throws the Frenchman to his seat against
the fence. Sola wall-walks, and Bonfim is all-in for a single. Sola
elbows him in the side of the head while defending the takedown and
keeping his balance, and he starts to put some mustard into the
elbows. A number land at the top of the head on the mohawk line,
and Goddard shouts him down to knock it off. Goddard asks for more
activity from Bonfim, as Sola is the only one doing something as he
pounds on the Brazilian. Bonfim stays in on the single, and Sola
hammerfists away. His efforts have cut Bonfim, whose face starts
leaking on the mat.
As Sola keeps driving home his elbow on the temple, Bonfim’s will
fades and he slumps over. Sola uses this to drop down and fasten an
anaconda choke, keeping Bonfim down to bash him with right hands
when the choke dissipates. Bonfim sways and stays desperately
pursuing that single, and Sola strikes him in the back of the head
a few times. Bonfim rolls over to his back and takes a few elbows
to set up an armbar.
Sola punches his way through it, and he threatens with a brabo
choke as Bonfim rolls to his side. This is the worst place for the
Brazilian, as Sola turns along with him to completely lock this
choke down. Sola’s arm beneath the chin, hooking it beneath the
far-side armpit, allows him to exert heavy shoulder pressure to
force Bonfim to surrender. Bonfim taps, Sola releases
the grip, and Bonfim looks genuinely surprised that he was snared
in this type of submission? Meanwhile, Sola, who earned just his
second submission as a pro, looks as if he knew he was going to
pull that off the whole time.
The Official Result
Axel Sola def. Ismael Bonfim R1 4:44 via Submission (Brabo
Choke)
Round 1
Is a torch about to pass today? Nine years the elder, Ponzinibbio
(30-9, 12-8 UFC) will turn 40 in two months and has sorely
struggled the last couple years. Patterson’s (14-3-1, 4-2 UFC) own
run has yet to turn a corner, but it could start should he get past
the man known as “Argentine Dagger.” At welterweight, contenders
are a premium so a long win streak is all-but necessary. That path
starts here. They do not touch gloves. The referee is Mike
Beltran.
The shorter Ponzinibbio takes to the center of the cage but neither
man engages with anything of merit in the first 40 seconds.
Ponzinibbio charges suddenly, catching the Brit with a huge right
hand and rocking “The Future.” Patterson leans back and shakes off
the cobwebs, getting tagged twice on his way out. Ponzinibbio
allows him to reset so he can find another way in without getting
jabbed or nailed, and Patterson shoulder-rolls the worst of what
comes at him during a fierce exchange. Patterson jabs the body with
the ball of his foot, and he pecks away with long jabs and stabbing
kicks to the torso. Ponzinibbio gives chase, but his swings hit
little more than air. Patterson, meanwhile, reddens the nose of the
veteran with his steady diet of jabs.
Ponzinibbio doubles up a jab to hurl a right hand, and Patterson is
out of range and swoops away with a quick right hook. Ponzinibbio
swings wild, and Patterson plants his fist straight down the middle
on the jaw. Ponzinibbio takes a funny step back and takes a few
more punches that now have his attention. Ponzinibbio retreats as
Patterson walks him down, jab flourished, and he uses every single
inch of his range to keep Ponzinibbio off of him. They clash with
punches at the same time, and Patterson hits him first and harder
to stumble the 39-year-old. Patterson’s jab forces Ponzinibbio to
shoot, and that shot is stonewalled as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Patterson
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Patterson
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Patterson
Round 2
Patterson comes out of his corner confident, walking forward until
he stops at the dead center of the cage. Ponzinibbio, meanwhile, is
a bit more hesitant to engage him early, but he quickly puts that
to bed when he storms forward swinging with all his might.
Patterson slips and evades much of what is telegraphed whizzing by
him, his footwork and movement keeping him off the proverbial
gunnery range even with his chin up in the air for the taking.
Ponzinibbio tries to find that chin, looping a huge right hand and
buzzing it right past him. Patterson slips and counters, dancing in
and out to plant a one-two on the chin. Ponzinibbio is staggered
but still very in the fight, hellbent for leather with wide swings.
Patterson is more composed and measured, letting off two or three
at a time in brief spurts of combinations. These bust up
Ponzinibbio’s nose, with a particularly powerful right hand shaking
him up.
Patterson picks up the power behind his jabs, and he strings three
crisp punches together that lift “Argentine Dagger” off his feet
and down to the mat in danger. Patterson follows him down but does
not want to initiate any ground game, landing a few strikes but
otherwise letting Ponzinibbio up to tee off on him further.
Ponzinibbio backs off, hoping that he can get his sea legs about
him, but Patterson will not let him do so. Patterson rifles off a
one-two that smashes square into the cheek of the Argentinian. This
time, Ponzinibbio does not get back up. Before Patterson can pounce
to finish the job, Beltran intercepts him and pushes him back to
wave the fight off. The triumphant Brit knows exactly
what he wants next: the winner between Uros Medic and Daniel
Rodriguez, who headline next week’s event in Serbia.
The Official Result
Sam Patterson def. Santiago Ponzinibbio R2 3:06 via TKO
(Punches)
Round 1
The elder statesman in this contest, Jacoby (22-9-1, 10-6-1 UFC)
clocks in eight years older than burly newcomer Said (9-0, 0-0 UFC)
in a meaningful matchup at 205 pounds. A victory for the former
Glory kickboxer could advance him in the rankings, but a loss would
be devastating for the number next to his name. They will collide
under the watchful eye of referee Jim Perdios, who says go at the
sound of the bell.
The fist bump is what starts off the contest, as Jacoby backs off
and watches a few kicks come up well short. The American offers his
own kicks that are also too distant, and he is ready to check the
first calf kick that comes at him. Jacoby dances away from a body
kick and clashes shins with his opponent twice to intercept kicks.
Jacoby catches a body kick and misses on the counter, but his
attacks are getting closer while Said is just swinging and hoping
something connects. Said kicks the lead leg and tries to spin for a
back kick, but he is too close as Jacoby slips past it. When Jacoby
pitches a calf kick, Said goes high and nearly catches Jacoby
flush. He tries a second time, and fires off a big right hand that
staggers the former kickboxer.
Said chains a few punches into kicks, feeling himself as he parries
what comes his direction. Jacoby kicks high as well, and Said
protects himself from it calmly. A Said overhand right bounces off
the shoulder, and he zooms two more scorching hooks that miss by a
matter of inches. Jacoby plants a firm calf kick, stepping back to
watch a head kick and spinning wheel kick knock out the air around
him. Said reaches his foe with a left hand, and he digs a kick to
the body under the guard. Said sticks his man with the jab and
hurls a wheel kick that makes Jacoby shake his head. The close
round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Said
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jacoby
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Said
Round 2
They touch gloves, and Jacoby gets back to working on the Russian’s
front leg with kicks. They go jab-for-jab with one another, taking
turns and trading in short bursts. Jacoby cannot seem to get out of
first gear, with little more than calf kicks and jabs plus an
occasional two. When Said commits to strikes, he stings Jacoby. A
one-two shakes up the ex-kickboxer, and he gets knocked back with a
spinning back kick. Jacoby ignores the calf kicks that bang into
his plant leg while he plods forward behind jabs.
Said’s right hands have opened a cut on the corner of Jacoby’s left
eye, and Jacoby has yet to figure him out. Said lets Jacoby kick
him in the stomach so he can counter with a sharp right hand, and
he misses with the head kick and spins immediately after it with a
wheel kick. Jacoby slips it and drives his straight jab into the
cheek time and time again, but Said’s expression is muted. Kicks to
the front leg come from both sides, and Said looks to counter
another front kick to the stomach with a right hand. Said tosses
out a body kick, and Jacoby doubles over but keeps a stiff upper
lip to not show that he is compromised. To further sell that he is
not hurt, he keeps doing what he does, until Said walks him down
and sticks him with a right to set up a beautiful head kick. Jacoby
falls to the mat in a daze and manages to work his way back up, but
he is under fire the whole time.
Said turns on the jets and unleashes a long series of devastating
punches that back and brutalize “The Hanyak.” As Perdios is calling
for Jacoby to fight back, Said does not allow him to do this as he
looses a head kick in close range to slam into the guard and
further harm Jacoby. Seeing that Jacoby has wilted and has nothing
left to fight back with, Perdios saves him from his
toughness. That makes Said a perfect 10-0 as a pro,
with stoppages accounting for nine of those triumphs.
The Official Result
Muhammad Said def. Dustin Jacoby R2 4:49 via TKO (Head Kick and
Punches)
Round 1
This heavyweight pairing headlining the prelims does not so much as
“separate the men from the boys” as it might separate someone’s
foot from their ankle before it’s all said and done. “The Foot
Hunter” Walker (15-1, 4-1 UFC) plans on doing just that, in hopes
of landing five heel hooks in a row—a feat never seen in a major
organization, but likely somewhere in Pancrase in the mid-‘90s.
Doesn’t that sound like something Masakatsu Funaki pulled off while
swimming in a sea of Ruttens and Shamrocks? Petersen (11-4, 3-3
UFC) knows it will be coming, and it will be coming
quickly—phrasing. Referee Dan Movahedi didn’t get that joke, but
that could be because he’s busy in the cage right now with Walker
weirdly crawling towards Petersen during the announcements. The big
men bump fists.
Walker goes right towards Petersen, darting away when Petersen
rushes at him with a one-two. Walker kicks the body, and Petersen
pushes through it to tie him up and possibly go for a level change.
Walker flops to his back to pull Petersen into his guard, but
Petersen is in half guard, in a position where Walker cannot do
nearly as much. Nevertheless, Walker goes after his signature heel
hook, rolling several times around to grip hold of the foot.
Petersen knows it is coming and crawls away, but his limp is still
caught in a precarious position.
Walker uses his legs to loop around Petersen’s left leg, securing a
sneaky calf slicer that puts immense pressure on Petersen’s knee.
Petersen appears upset with himself before he taps out once, as he
has no antidote for the venomous maneuver. It might
not have been a heel hook, but it is yet another leg lock. What
more can be said about “The Foot Hunter,” who now posts five
submission wins in a row and showboats by demonstrating his
patented move on a teammate. He announces the opening of his new
jiu-jitsu gym, where he claims he will teach people how to “take
the feet.”
The Official Result
Valter Walker def. Thomas Petersen R1 1:32 via Submission (Calf
Slicer)
Round 1
It’s time for the ACA welterweight championship of the Russia—wait,
hang on. Izagakhmaev (22-3, 0-1 UFC) and Vagaev (24-4, 0-0 UFC)
will continue the long, storied rivalry between Dagestan and
Chechnya, with Izagakhmaev repping the former and the newcomer from
the latter. Russia Russia Russia! Referee Mike Beltran is ready to
get this show on the road, and the fighters follow suit by clapping
gloves.
Vagaev rushes out of his corner with one plan: shoot a takedown. He
is handed the opportunity on a silver platter when Izagakhmaev
loops a right hand at him, and the Chechen ducks under and
completes the double with relative ease. Izagakhmaev keeps
butterfly hooks to prevent Vagaev from climbing on top of him,
resulting in an awkward positioning with Vagaev hovering over his
foe while holding onto him. Vagaev looks for a knee to the chest as
Izagakhmaev stands back up, and Vagaev wants to mat return him and
fails on his first effort. Izagakhmaev knees him on either side
with his back jammed up against the fencing, trying to stay active
as he fights off a trip takedown as they land in 50-50 position on
their knees. They both stand back up, and Vagaev wants the takedown
and fishes for an inside trip to disrupt his foe’s balance and put
him down. A small cut develops on the corner of Izagakhmaev’s right
eye. As Vagaev climbs on top, he establishes himself in the closed
guard to drop down ground strikes.
The crowd is silent as the two Russians play their trade, with
Vagaev landing the occasional strike from above. The fans begin to
make noise in the form of boos, as Vagaev is smothering and
occasionally headbutting Izagakhmaev. Izagakhmaev goes for a heel
hook, and Vagaev grabs the fence with both hands to get out of it.
Beltran only cries foul once, but Vagaev has escaped the precarious
position specifically with illegal fence grabs and stands back up.
They trade knees on the inside as Vagaev wants to stay close, and
one of his knees bumps into Izagakhmaev’s cup. No call on that one
either. Vagaev attempts a takedown as he is ducked down, and
Izagakhmaev times a clean knee right on the jaw. Vagaev staggers
back and may be more hurt than he is showing, as Izagakhmaev rings
his bell with a right hand before the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vagaev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Vagaev
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Vagaev
Round 2
Before the round begins, Beltran has to back Izagakhmaev off
several times. The clock begins, and the Dagestan native goes right
after his countryman. Izagakhmaev kicks the lead leg to force an
immediate stance switch, and he knocks Vagaev back with a sharp
jab. Vagaev sits down on a right hand and surprises Izagakhmaev,
following after him with a number of heavy strikes to prove that he
might not be as fatigued as some guessed. Izagakhmaev times a
double and puts Vagaev on the mat, and Vagaev grabs the fence once
or twice as he stands back up. Beltran notices this and warns him
for fingers in the cage. In the clinch, Vagaev picks up where he
left off in the first round by grinding, but this time, Izagakhmaev
is able to turn him about. Vagaev tries for a single, and when he
bails on it, he jams a knee to the stomach. Izagakhmaev responds
when separate with a hefty calf kick, and he swings a big
elbow.
Izagakhmaev holds his hands low, possibly to protect his midsection
as Vagaev landed a few times there, and Vagaev bullies him back and
elbows him zestfully. Vagaev leans and wears on his opponent while
occasionally landing a short strike, with Izagakhmaev constantly
kneeing him in the body from a tight space. Izagakhmaev slips a few
punches when they separate and is forced back to the clinch, where
Vagaev stalls out when his takedown attempts fail. He goes over the
top with two sharp elbows, and keeps this clinch position until the
five-minute period ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vagaev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev
Round 3
Smiling as if he knows something, Izagakhmaev comes out of his
corner reckless behind two wide hooks. This draws the two into a
fierce slugfest, where they are putting everything behind their
swings and grunting after connecting. Izagakhmaev pins straight
right hands on the jaw, and as he loads up on right hands, he
stings Vagaev. After hurting his opponent, Izagakhmaev bizarrely
shoots for a takedown, and Vagaev shuts him down and they resume
striking for a few seconds. Vagaev gets in close and completes his
own takedown, taking the crowd out of the equation as he hangs on
from behind. His offense is limited to short right hands, far more
interested in manhandling the Dagestani fighter as if to prove a
point. Izagakhmaev grips a kimura to sweep his man, flipping Vagaev
over but no further. Izagakhmaev forces a standup, but they are
still stuck in the clinch.
Vagaev goes after a single, and Izagakhmaev hops away to regain his
footing and is pushed to the cage wall once more. Beltran gets
between them after asking for more activity, and Vagaev takes a
second or two to charge forward and tackle Izagakhmaev to the
floor. Izagakhmaev on his knees looks for nothing more than to
stand, and he does so without serious difficulty. He traps Vagaev’s
wrist behind his back and drags the former ACA champ to the floor,
where he steps into full mount and immediately attacks an
arm-triangle choke. Vagaev twists the right direction to get out of
it, but he is still mounted. Izagakhmaev stays heavy with chest
pressure to disallow any escape, because as soon as he postures up,
Vagaev spins. Izagakhmaev isolates an arm-triangle choke on the
other side, and again, Vagaev turns to get out of it. He does this
also when attempting a rear-naked choke. With seconds to go,
Izagakhmaev sells out for an armbar, and the fight ends in the
middle of a transition.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev (29-28 Vagaev)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev (29-28
Izagakhmaev)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev (29-28
Izagakhmaev)
The Official Result
Abubakar Vagaev def. Saygid Izagakhmaev via Unanimous Decision
(29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Round 1
Heavyweights that like to grapple take the cage next, and referee
Jim Perdios and the cage floor—it is over 520 pounds of meat in the
Octagon between the athletes alone—brace for something. Kuniev
(13-3-1, 1 NC; 1-1 UFC) will be the local favorite as he hopes to
skip a few more lines to catch another big fight soon. Fortune
(18-3, 2 NC; 1-0 UFC) surprised in March when he upset Marcin
Tybura, getting him a place in the rankings in one outing. Someone
might tumble out of those ranks when the night is out. They bump
their large fists together before putting them to action.
Kuniev is the aggressor, walking into a Fortune leg kick right off
the bat. Fortune strafes on the outer edge of the cage behind the
black dividing line, getting pushed back with a front kick and
responding with a lunging overhand right. Kuniev crashes the pocket
with a pair of punches and drives a knee to the chest, making
Fortune bail on the situation and reset. Kuniev and his 266-pound
frame leap at Fortune, who is surprised at the hops on the Russian.
Fortune hammers the front leg with a kick that makes Kuniev take a
funny step, and he beans him with two right hands after it. Fortune
ducks under and rips a right hand, and they clash together chest to
chest. Fortune wings a right hand, and Kuniev sees it and ducks
away. Kuniev jabs his way forward and knees Fortune in the raised
guard, the sheer impact of it making him turn off and backpedal.
Kuniev fakes a spin and darts away from a looping punch, keeping
his hand up to swat away a head kick.
Kuniev targets the guard when he punches, hoping to force some
openings. He follows one with a step-in knee, and Fortune drives
him back immediately with a short but effective combination of
punches. The Russian spins with a back kick that slams in to the
body of the American, who doubles over and puts his back to the
fence. Kuniev lets him have it with a barrage of punches and knees,
opening a cut under the right eye of the former Bellator fighter.
Fortune appears to have his wits about him again with about a
minute to spare, and Kuniev tests that by crashing into him with
offense in the form of fists and knees. Fortune, squeezed against
the cage wall, gives a few knees back to force a smidge of space.
Fortune rips an uppercut on the inside when the clinch relocates to
the center of the cage, and he tries for a second as Kuniev shoves
him away. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev
Round 2
Gloves are touched, and Kuniev wants to then put one on Fortune’s
face. Fortune reaches him first, but it is Kuniev who does the
damage, bending Fortune over again in the midst of a flurry.
Fortune comes over the top with a right hand, but the damage is
already done as his right eye with the cut also has some serious
swelling blowing up. Kuniev presses him against the fence, and
Fortune muscles him out and gets kneed in the groin. There is no
call, and Fortune does not flinch…until Kuniev knees him square in
the face. Fortune sports a grim grin as he backs off, taking
massive damage as Kuniev picks his shots and beats him to the body
and chin. The body shots have wrecked Fortune, who complained about
a damaged rib between rounds, as Kuniev bears down on him. It is
more of a mauling than a quick-strike finish, as he does not give
Fortune any space and constantly aggravates him with attacks.
Kuniev backs off, only to leap in with a knee, and Fortune is
rocked but still hangs in there.
Fortune breaks off and hurries to the other side of the cage, and
Kuniev stalks him down like a well-fed Terminator. Fortune, out of
nowhere, gathers and launches a huge right hand that rocks the
Russian. It is one-and-done, however, as Kuniev clinches him up and
proceeds to make it dirty. Slashing with elbows from up close, he
ignores the few strikes offered by the American to further impose
his weight on him. Fortune splits off with a minute to go, and he
rifles off a long right hand that brushes past the chin. Kuniev
fakes a knee to draw a reaction, using it to get in close so he can
deliver more knees to his intended destination. Fortune ends the
round with a bit of confidence landing a few strikes, and when the
bell sounds, he walks off clutching his side.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Kuniev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev
Round 3
Fortune explains to his corner that the damage he sustained is
taking him completely out of his element. Normalize corner
stoppages. The last round begins despite Fortune basically saying
he can’t fight anymore, with Kuniev walking him down fearlessly.
Fortune lets fly a few huge punches, but he takes a knee and covers
up.
Kuniev kicks him in the face to split the guard, knees him in the
breadbasket again and forces Fortune to back off to the cage wall.
Kuniev punishes the American with a jump knee, and when he lands,
he crushes Fortune with one more knee that crumbles him completely.
Fortune collapses to his knees, with his valiant effort cut short
thanks to the fearsome knees from a 266-pound Russian who very well
may be about 290 in the cage. Kuniev walks off knowing
his work here is done, and he takes a well-deserved breather.
The Official Result
Rizvan Kuniev def. Tyrell Fortune R3 1:12 via TKO (Knees)
Round 1
Undefeated vs. undefeated! Also known as the UFC smashing up some
toys in its lightweight division. Rzepecki (10-0, 0-0 UFC) tends to
come out like a high temp smoker, while ”John Pork” “Wild
Chanco” Zaynukov (8-0, 0-0 UFC) of the Dagestani four-guard mold is
a veritable machine ready to roast someone. Something’s gotta give,
and referee Marc Goddard will be ready to save someone’s bacon if
needed. The 155ers do not wish to hog any more spotlight and do
touch ‘em up.
The fight begins with Zaynukov attacking the lead leg of his
opponent with impunity. Rzepecki does not like this, so he crowds
him and pushes him against the fence. The action stalls out for a
spell, with little more than short knees from either side flying.
Zaynukov attempts a trip to break out of the clinch, and they reset
in the center of the cage. Rzepecki walks into a body kick as he
bobs and weaves his way forward, with Zaynukov offering kicks
aplenty. They both connect with a few crisp strikes in an exchange,
with Zaynukov breaking away courtesy of a powerful elbow. He
changes levels and crashes into Rzepecki’s chest, pushing him to
the fencing but not keeping him there long as Rzepecki spins him
about.
They jockey for position in the tie-up, with Zaykunov getting in a
solid knee while they twirl around. Rzepecki knees him back a few
times, and at least one appears to bump into the cup. Zaynukov
punches his way out of the clinch, and he has two hooks ready when
Rzepecki comes his way. It is the elbow after it from Zaynukov that
connects, and he pushes out as his finger jams deep into the eye
socket of the Polish fighter. Goddard calls it immediately and
hurries in the doctor, who is taking his sweet time getting in the
cage. The physician comes to check on his condition, as he needs
some time to clear his vision and uses the cloth to help. Goddard
calmly assures Rzepecki that he does not need to worry about the
time, and that it is more important that he recover as much as he
needs. After about two minutes, Rzepecki is good to go. Goddard
issues a hard warning to Zaynukov, saying that it is his first and
last. They resume with about 75 seconds on the clock, and Rzepecki
pushes the action and sways back to avoid a trio of hooks. Zaynukov
commits to a second series of hooks that does reach his intended
target, and he is warned for outstretched fingers. As Rzepecki
comes in to strike, he pulls a fast one and hits a sneaky trip to
throw “Wild Chanco” down. Zaynukov leaps back up and jumps at
Rzepecki with a knee, chasing after him with a few clubbing punches
that force Rzepecki to retreat. Rzepecki spins but bails on a
swing, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov
Round 2
Rzepecki is aggressive nearly to a fault to start off the round,
allowing Zaynukov to pick his counters and beat on the front leg
with stomp kicks. Rzepecki closes the distance, and Zaynukov
welcomes this as he utilizes a body lock to hurl the Polish fighter
to the mat. The man that we definitely will not call “John Pork”
cannot keep Rzepecki down for long, as Rzepecki scrambles and
wall-walks to safety. Rzepecki times a slick spinning elbow that
rings off the dome, and Zaynukov tanks it and kicks him a few
times. Rzepecki pushes Zaynukov to the wall, grinding on him until
the Russian forces a separation. Rzepecki delivers a body kick on
the break.
Zaynukov lets loose short, tight elbows from up close, driving them
into Rzepecki’s mouth when the clinch is re-implemented. Zaynukov
times a perfect elbow that rocks the former FEN champion, and he
lets loose with a flurry of fists until Rzepecki ties him up to
slow him down. Zaynukov does not mind the close proximity, as he
rips open a cut above Rzepecki’s right eyebrow that immediately
starts pouring blood down his face. Rzepecki does not register it,
rushing in to attack and planting his foot on Zaynukov’s midsection
with a spinner. Zaynukov gets up close and personal and jacks him
up with a few more elbows, further opening the wound with
subsequent blows. Rzepecki tries for a spinning back elbow, and he
glances off the target but is met with a number of elbows and head
kick as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov
Round 3
The cutman between rounds sealed Rzepecki up well, but a few
strikes will likely pop it right open again. The round begins with
both men kicking, as Rzepecki beats up the lead leg until they both
try for takedowns. This results in a body lock where they both go
flipping to the floor, and then climb back up to get to kickboxing
range. The blood does indeed flow after Zaynukov targets that wound
like a bullseye, and Rzepecki answers a few strikes with a takedown
shot. Zaynukov shuts it down and proceeds to elbow Rzepecki without
fear. Rzepecki comes in to strike, and Zaynukov knocks him back
with a Ginsu knife-like elbow. “The Butcher” has quickly become
“The Butchered” as gashes spring up in more than one spot on his
visage, and Zaynukov tries to force one more with another
elbow.
Rzepecki advances no matter the odds, taking a front kick square in
the face and absorbing his umpteenth elbow that causes a bit of
unlicensed plastic surgery. Rzepecki keeps pushing forward despite
the damage, despite Zaynukov beating him to the punch literally and
figuratively, and his chin holds up. Rzepecki ducks down for a
single, and Zaynukov opens up with three punches that rock the
Polish fighter badly. Rzepecki has a stiff upper lip like few
others, as he keeps taking elbows and front kicks. Zaynukov
dislodges his foe’s mouthguard with one, and Rzepecki replaces it
with Goddard’s help and goes right back to battle. Zaynukov picks
his shots and raises his arms in victory with seconds to spare, but
Rzepecki chases after him for a last-second takedown. Zaykunov
elbows him right to the final bell and possibly beyond, with
Goddard getting right in there to make sure there is a clean break.
“Wild Chanco” is most likely on the board with a UFC win coming
right up.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov (30-27 Zaynukov)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov (30-27 Zaynukov)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov (30-27 Zaynukov)
The Official Result
Magomed Zaynukov def. Damian Rzepecki via Unanimous Decision
(30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Round 1
The fight was canceled on Saturday morning after Dulatov suffered
an illness that forced him to withdraw from the contest, as first
reported by the UFC.
Round 1
We have reached the co-main event, one that might look like it is
in fast-forward mode compared to some of the heavyweight matches
that have preceded it tonight. Holding the line at 125 pounds after
a quick rise culminating in a failed title shot, Erceg (14-4, 5-3
UFC) has regressed to another top-10 guy—and this is not an insult
in any regard. He will battle Temirov (19-3, 2-0 UFC), who is
coming back from a year-long suspension after popping Trimetazidine, a substance that has plagued the
Olympics for the last decade. Referee Mike Beltran—who we hope one
day writes a book about his past day job—draws the charge for this
one, and it begins without a glove touch.
To introduce himself, Temirov attacks Erceg with a spinning back
kick, sending the Aussie flying. Erceg reels to recover, and
Temirov chases him down and spins with another back kick, this one
to the dome. Erceg is stunned and on his knees, with Temirov not
sure whether to hit him or try for a submission. Erceg gets up
before either can go far, but Temirov is on him relentlessly. The
Uzbek spins his way into a wheel kick that bangs off the shoulder,
and he recovers to take an uppercut off the forward bow. Beltran
warns Temirov for outstretched fingers, and a clinch is quickly
broken up when Erceg starts to push the pace. Temirov pops him with
a jab and moves, the smaller man but firmly having his range
already in command. He clips Erceg at the end of a left hand, and
when he gets countered, he throws his hands up mockingly. Erceg
looks to peck with his sharp jab, sticking it out there repeatedly
to decent effect.
Temirov again motions for Erceg to come and get him, and he times a
wheel kick that also hits the shoulder. Temirov skirts away and
gets caught with a right hand over the top, but he bites down on
his mouthpiece to wing two big hooks. Temirov dances back, timing a
left hand when Erceg advances and following with a booming right.
Erceg keeps the pressure on, pitching a head kick and forcing
Temirov to backpedal constantly. Temirov scores big punches,
knocking Erceg off his feet with a huge right hand. Erceg bounces
back up and gets rocked again, running away to save himself.
Temirov unloads with mighty power punches, shaking Erceg up to his
core. Erceg backs himself to the wire, barely still with it, chin
wide in the air. Temirov thanks him for this with a devastating
right hand, flatlining Erceg. The Aussie lifelessly collapses down
on his face, totally out, as Temirov runs away to celebrate the
spectacular victory. This 29-year-old from
Kashkadarya, Uzbekistan, just put the rest of the flyweight
division on notice. You don’t get clean knockouts like that at 125
pounds very often, and thankfully, Erceg comes to and congratulates
the victor for his handiwork.
The Official Result
Ramazonbek Temirov def. Steve Erceg R1 4:21 via KO (Punch)
Round 1
It may not be what we expected, but this new headliner between
Ankalaev (20-2-1, 1 NC; 12-2-1, 1 NC UFC) and Guskov (18-3-1, 4-1-1
UFC) can answer some questions in the contender-starved light
heavyweight division. The Russian could yet hold serve and
reinforce that he is one of if not the best fighter currently at
205 pounds, but he could also get his chin checked by a berserker
from Uzbekistan. Referee Marc Goddard knows the stakes and that the
night could end with one beautiful punch, issuing final
instructions and eliciting a cage-sealing fist bump. It’s on with
the show.
Perhaps because of the short-notice nature of this affair, they are
extremely tentative coming out of their corners. Guskov, who has at
times gone for broke early, is doing anything but that as he gets
backed off by the Russian. Ankalaev jabs and uses his front kick
for range-keepers, dipping down to loose a left hand over the top.
This approach is largely muting “Hitman,” who has only offered a
few low kicks and looping strikes that miss the mark. Ankalaev
pushes him away a few times with his foot, and he takes a head kick
and blocks it. He feels it. Guskov goes high with a right hand, and
Ankalaev counters with a piston-like left hand down the middle.
Ankalaev side kicks Guskov back, who still does not have
answers.
Another side kick from Ankalaev gingerly tossed confuses Guskov,
with the Uzbek stuck in the proverbial mud. Ankalaev slaps a hard
kick to the lead leg, and when he sees Guskov goes not like it as
his limb begins to welt, Ankalaev kicks it again. Ankalaev keeps
his hands low walking straight into punching range, and Guskov
receives a warning for outstretched fingers. Ankalaev kicks high
and brushes his toes across Guskov’s lips—gross. Guskov plants a
kick on the Russian’s front leg and catches a front kick that comes
after, setting it down when there is nothing to it. Guskov tries to
go for broke with a big kick, but Ankalaev walks past it as the
tepid round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Round 2
Before the round begins, Goddard gives Guskov a final warning about
pointing his fingers towards his opponent’s face. The round opens
just like the last led off, with Ankalaev pressuring with single
kicks with no setup while Guskov cannot seem to figure them out.
Occasionally, Guskov kicks back, but they are few and far between.
Volume is basement-level six minutes into the match, with Guskov
still stuck with little more than a low kick or two. Ankalaev
splits his guard with a right hand, and Guskov changes stances,
shakes it off and blocks an oncoming head kick. Ankalaev fakes
another head kick to draw out a reaction, following it with a
lancing left hand. It is barely a sparring match thus far between
these two men whose preferred method of victory is the knockout.
Ankalaev reaches his man with long lefts, getting past what little
Guskov has to offer back. The Russian misses by a mile when
offering up another head kick, and he takes another leg kick or two
when settling down.
Ankalaev advances behind his jab and lengthy, stabbing twos, and a
side kick misses. Ankalaev finds his target with a slow one-two,
and he turns his knee towards a kick to partially check it. Guskov
dings him with a right hand, but it is one-and-done as Ankalaev
crowds him and forces a tie-up. Ankalaev use a body lock to knee
Guskov in the stomach, and he holds his hand on the top of the
cage—this is a foul. Goddard is on top of it. The clinch dries this
slog of a fight out even further, as even less offense is waged.
The 10-second clapper sounds, and Ankalaev knees his way out of the
clinch and spins with a back fist that comes up short. The awful
round wraps as the fans rain down boos.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Round 3
Goddard reminds Guskov of his fingers pointing towards eyeballs,
and the third round begins. The fighters clap both hands together.
Ankalaev reintroduces himself with a head kick, one that is blocked
without issue. He plods forward without any shred of concern for
the offense coming back his way, because it simply isn’t, other
than a few low kicks. Guskov kicks the front leg, and Ankalaev
switches stances but not because of the damage. Ankalaev brings his
swapped leg high, and Guskov defends against it. Guskov shifts to
the side, and the two shadowbox with Ankalaev spinning and
whiffing. Ankalaev jabs the body to simultaneously duck an overhand
right, stepping in to throw a rear-leg front kick and a clean right
hand behind it. Guskov shakes it off and leans to allow a kick
careen off his shoulder. Ankalaev ducks into a big right hand, and
Guskov slips away.
Ankalaev kicks the front leg, blocks a head kick and presses ever
forward. When the boo birds start sounding off, Ankalaev turns it
up just a smidge, with a few big swings and misses to temporarily
quiet them. He pulls that back to offer a side kick, and then one
more after it. Guskov at this point could righteously be warned for
timidity due to his seeming disinterest in engaging. Ankalaev keeps
after him, ignoring a punch or two to land a kick. Ankalaev fakes
level changes to draw out reactions, backing Guskov to the wall but
not trapping him. The Russian wings a huge right hand, and when
that misses by a country mile, his head kick does too. Sneaking in
one more punch before the bell, a left hand from Ankalaev bangs
into Guskov’s temple and rips open a small cut on the side of his
eye.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Round 4
Gloves are touched as the two reach championship rounds, and
Ankalaev darts out of his corner with a new strategy: wrestling. It
takes him one attempt and a few seconds for him to easily wrest
Guskov to the floor, where he positions himself in half guard.
Ankalaev starts adding up ground strikes, one-by-one closing in on
his paltry total for the first three rounds combined. Ankalaev
grinds his elbow on Guskov’s jaw to keep him flat on his back,
posturing up to drive something down only to get blocked. Ankalaev
uses his left hand any time it is free to smack Guskov in the face,
happy as a clam that he is in this position without any danger of
Guskov hurting him back. Guskov turns over to his knees and gives
his back up.
The moment he does, Ankalaev wraps a rear-naked choke under the
chin, and it is suddenly tight. “Hitman” hand-fights to free
himself from the submission, so Ankalaev switches his grip and
applies a brutal face crank. Ankalaev tries to break Guskov’s jaw
with his squeeze, and Guskov guts it out. Ankalaev clings to his
back as he fishes for a choke from either side, occasionally
softening the Uzbek up with punches to either side of the melon.
Guskov sits up and exposes his neck, and Ankalaev snatches it up in
an instant. When it looks set, Ankalaev withdraws it himself before
Guskov can even fight the hands. This bizarre exchange happens a
second time, with Ankalaev appearing to fasten a choke under the
chin but bailing on them on his own volition. He settles to sit on
top from the side and bop Guskov with his fists, and tries for one
more brute force face crank. Ankalaev pushes Guskov to his back and
advances to mount without a modicum of resistance, dropping punches
until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Ankalaev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Ankalaev
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-8 Ankalaev
Round 5
The fighters touch both gloves together, and Guskov wants a hug.
Ankalaev reluctantly embraces him, and pushes Guskov away. Ankalaev
lumbers forward slowly, pressing into a double where Guskov
practically falls to his back in fatigue. In the blink of an eye,
Guskov wraps his arms around Ankalaev’s neck for a surprise short
choke. Ankalaev wriggles his neck out before long and positions
himself on top, smothering his opponent and grinding him to dust.
Guskov turns over to his knees, still taking punches on both ears,
and Goddard asks for Guskov to do more.
Ankalaev pours it on with a relative ferocity of punches, and
Goddard calls for Guskov to fight back. Ankalaev mashes Guskov’s
face in, blood streaming from several places on the visage of
Guskov. Goddard, seeing that Guskov appears totally defeated, steps
in to rescue everyone watching from another couple minutes of
agony. When Goddard waves the fight off, Guskov yells
at him, demanding to know why the fight is over. It might have been
more of a mercy stoppage than an accumulation of damage, but it is
a stoppage after the midpoint of the fifth round. It may not have
been a thrilling match, and it may not have boosted Ankalaev’s
stock much, but it is a win over a top-10 adversary. It is what it
is.
The Official Result
Magomed Ankalaev def. Bogdan Guskov R5 2:41 via TKO (Punches)