Live Now! UFC Baku ‘Hill vs. Rountree’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Hamdy Abdelwahab (264.5) vs. Mohammed Usman (244.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Abdelwahab (-175), Usman (+145)

Round 1

Baku, the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, is the site for the UFC tonight. Its size dwarfs any other city in the nation, one that sits well below sea level. The nickname of the “City of Winds” has been given to Baku, although not necessarily for positive reasons, as the winds blow mercilessly across the Caspian Sea. Before we go too far, while everyone may be smiling and the sun may be shining during the show today, there is quite a dark underbelly for the country, especially when it comes to MMA. That’s enough with the gloom and doom, it’s time for some fights. Unranked heavyweights on the opener, a Joe Silva special, is what fight fans at the Baku Crystal Hall and watching around the world will be getting. Abdelwahab (6-0, 1 NC; 1-0, 1 NC UFC) is back off his drug test suspension and ready to put some momentum together, aiming for his second win this year. He will have to contend with Usman (10-4, 3-2 UFC), whose big brother in a smaller weight division prevailed last weekend to give him a boost. The big men draw together under the auspices of referee Marc Goddard, and they bump their large hands together to start off the day. Abdelwahab takes to the center of the cage and boots Usman with a hefty leg kick that nearly knocks his man over on the very first blow. Usman recovers and probes out with his jabs, but another kick from Abdelwahab shakes him up once more. Usman is less compromised from the strike than before, and he loops a right hand over the top and misses the mark. Abdelwahab chambers and fires a hard low kick, and when Usman responds, he whiffs on a kick and almost falls over. Usman gets on his bike and pokes out ineffectual jabs, as Abdelwahab sneaks in a right hand to split the guard. The Egyptian connects with a front kick and then a calf kick, no-selling the jabs that bop into his face as there is nothing behind them. When the crowd starts to signal its disapproval two minutes in—this could be quite the audience today—Abdelwahab gets back to hammering the from leg of “The Motor.” Abdelwahab steps in with a clean left hand to stumble Usman, and Usman does not react well when getting caught. Abdelwahab ducks under a left hand and continues to press forward, eventually clipping Usman with a right hand. Usman’s jab is practically meaningless in that it does not keep Abdelwahab away nor does it inflict any damage, but he does set up a left hand behind it. Abdelwahab chops down the front leg, and his feints draw out reactions from the Nigerian. Usman sits down on a right hand and gets caught on the way out, and Abdelwahab is quick to give him two low kicks. “The Hammer” swings a hammer of a right hand that wobbles Usman, who backs off to the fence to get his bearings. The round ends before Abdelwahab can do anything with it.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Abdelwahab
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Abdelwahab
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Abdelwahab

Round 2

The heavyweights tap gloves together, and Usman gets right back to his jab-centric approach that allows him to get clubbed with an early uppercut. Abdelwahab crashes the pocket in pursuit of a body lock takedown, and Usman bounces off the cage wall and separates before having to deal with it. Abdelwahab smacks his foe in the front leg, and Usman’s retaliation is less-than solid. Usman pushes off, and his finger slides into the Egyptian’s right eyeball. Goddard calls it immediately and gives him time to recover, and 25 seconds elapse before Abdelwahab is ready. Abdelwahab flashes out a jab that makes Usman take a funny step, and his leg is getting chewed up as well. Out of nowhere, Usman connects with a ferocious right hand, and Abdelwahab is in the danger zone suddenly. Abdelwahab backs up to the fence, taking a few punches on the way, and he gathers his thoughts and keeps himself on his feet. Usman zings another right hand down the pipe, and then pulls back to measures his strikes. Abdelwahab gets wild and misses on his counters, while Usman pins a one-two on the chin. “The Hammer” hammers Usman with a left, and the latter’s chin hangs in tough. Usman circles all the way around to the center of the cage, jabbing the belly and looking for his right hand. Abdelwahab punts him with a front kick, and Usman does not like it and circles frantically around his opponent again. Usman beats Abdelwahab to the punch with a looping left hand, and he ducks a haymaker to shoot in for a single-leg takedown. The brick wall that is Abdelwahab completely shuts the effort down, pushing Usman back. Usman targets the body and gets jabbed twice, and his balance is nowhere near settled as he reacts poorly any time he is touched. A jab staggers him back several steps, but he still winds up with a right hand and then a left hook behind it. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Usman
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Usman

Round 3

Abdelwahab comes out of his corner with both arms outstretched, and Usman smacks them out of the way to get straight to fighting. Abdelwahab obliges, punching him cleanly twice and avoiding the responses. Abdelwahab dips down for an uppercut, and Usman prods his jab and drops down for a single. Abdelwahab pushes him all the way back to the wall, where Usman trips on the outer edge of the fencing and rebounds. Usman reaches with a right and barely dodges the response over the top, his hands low. Abdelwahab targets his ducking opponent with straight punches, forcing Usman to retreat. Abdelwahab plods forward behind a one-two, and he clips Usman when Usman ducks to jab him in the belly. Abdelwahab scoops a left hand and zings a right behind it, and he gets caught with a right hand but does not flinch. Abdelwahab connects with a low kick that Usman is not a fan of, and he hops away from the right hands that Usman chambers and fires. Usman digs a right to the breadbasket after jabbing it a few times, and he tries to go up top with a right hand but hits air. Abdelwahab considers a level change, and Usman scurries away as fast as he can to reset. Abdelwahab follows him and drills him with a low kick, taking the sting out of Usman’s right hand. Usman’s weaves and dodges are labored, and Abdelwahab can time him with his fists. Usman continues prodding the midsection with jabs and the occasional right hand, and he connects with a right hand that hurts the Egyptian badly. Abdelwahab keeps a decent poker face but is stood straight up, and Usman unloads on him to the head and waist. Abdelwahab grits his teeth and tries to slug it out, but Usman is too elusive in the final moments of the match.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Usman (29-28 Usman)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Usman (29-28 Usman)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Usman (29-28 Usman)

The Official Result

Mohammed Usman def. Hamdy Abdelwahab via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Azat Maksum (126) vs. Tagir Ulanbekov (126)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ulanbekov (-380), Maksum (+300)

Round 1

From the heaviest men’s division to the lightest we go, as flyweights take center stage next. Fresh off a victory in January, Ulanbekov (16-2, 5-1 UFC) wants to go two for two this year at the expense of Maksum (15-1, 1-1 UFC). In this battle of Russia vs. a former Soviet republic—Kazakhstan—referee Rich Mitchell will keep things on the up-and-up. There is a glove touch and a partial hug. They get right to it, flashing punches at one another after the brief embrace. They back off to measure the other, with Ulanbekov pushing out a front kick while Maksum rips several punches to the body. The momentum of Maksum darting in and out results in a near level change, and Ulanbekov resets, bounds forward and shoots in for a double-leg entry. Ulanbekov lifts his man up in the air and carries him around for a few feet, but Maksum is able to get his feet beneath him to not go down. Ulanbekov shoves him to the wall, and he lifts up Maksum’s leg to try to hit a single. Maksum bounces off the other foot, pushes off and starts winging punches. A head kick to end a series of swings makes Maksum fall over, but he springs back to his feet and has his guard up to block a high kick soaring at his dome. Maksum jabs the body with a kick, and he goes to the chest with a right hand. When “Kazakh” scores a low kick, Ulanbekov tags him with an overhand right counter. Maksum gets driven back during a flurry by the Russian, but he is quick to get behind his jab and pop it off Ulanbekov’s forehead. Ulanbekov reddens his foe’s nose with straight punches, and Maksum smacks him back with a body kick and sharp jabs of his own. Ulanbekov gets off a one-two and a front kick, and he waits for Maksum to advance so he can respond with his own quick offense. Ulanbekov wraps a head kick up over the shoulder, and Maksum responds with the same, a one-two with a head kick behind it. Ulanbekov dings his man with a right hand, and lands a body kick. The frantic flyweight round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ulanbekov
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ulanbekov
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ulanbekov

Round 2

The fighters double-touch gloves before getting back to it, and they pick up right where they left off. Ulanbekov slips a few punches to give some back. Maksum swings wildly and trips on his way out, and although he catches Ulanbekov, Ulanbekov tags him back. Maksum releases a solid right hand, and Ulanbekov shakes him up with one over the top. Maksum comes out swinging and walks directly into a jab, but he is active with punches and kicks. Ulanbekov drills his foe with a right hand, and Maksum crashes forward in the willing arms of his opponent, who knees him up the middle. Maksum separates and avoids a one-two, and his jab has turned Ulanbekov’s nose the shade of his shorts: red. Ulanbekov shoots in for a double, clasping his hands but not going anywhere. Mitchell asks for more action as Ulanbekov stalls out unable to take the fight down, and Maksum takes the fight into his own hands and swings his way out of the clinch, although he falls over with a head kick effort. When Maksum bounds back up, he flicks out a one-two and gets pegged with a right hand over the top. Ulanbekov stabs the body with a teep kick, drawing a takedown response out of Maksum that is stuffed. Maksum manages to circle around and take Ulanbekov’s back, and when he lifts Ulanbekov up, Ulanbekov grabs the fence and holds onto it to prevent the takedown. Rules, what are rules? Mitchell yells, but the damage is done, as Maksum gets the fight down but is only able to keep him there for a second. Maksum tries on a second attempt to elevate and slam Ulanbekov down, and Ulanbekov grabs hold of a guillotine choke and keeps it until the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Maksum
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Maksum
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Maksum

Round 3

One final glove touch between the flyweights commences the action, and Maksum gets right in Ulanbekov’s face with quick combinations. Maksum drives a one-two down the pipe, and he chains a few body shots behind it. The two slug it out in an exchange, and Maksum hits a little harder and is a bit quicker. Ulanbekov grips him in a clinch and jams a knee in his belly, and Maksum pushes off before absorbing another. Ulanbekov gives chase and rails him with two long right hands, where he drops down and looks for a takedown. Maksum backs up to the fence behind him, and he thwarts the effort. Maksum eventually pushes away, swaying and countering with a right hand and shooting in for a double. Ulanbekov stands him up and the two start banging in the clinch, with mean uppercuts on both sides. Maksum stops a takedown effort and goes for two uppercuts, missing an elbow on the break. A shot from Ulanbekov is stopped in its tracks, and Ulanbekov gets back to the clinch and blasts knees to the body and an elbow up top for good measures. Maksum disengages and starts trading, with both fighters nailing one another with one-twos and then some, until they tie up. The uppercuts rip from both sides, and Ulanbekov slashes an elbow up top. The two are going toe-to-toe in what has become a near mirror match, and scorecards could be all over the map. Ulanbekov drills Maksum with uppercuts and stuns him with an elbow, and he lifts up a knee or two before Maksum breaks off. Ulanbekov rings Maksum’s bell with a right hand, and he shoots for a takedown. Maksum reverses him and throws him on his face, and he lifts up Ulanbekov from behind and dumps him on his head one last time for good measure. The judges will have their hands full for sure after this “Fight of the Night”-worthy effort from the flyweights.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ulanbekov (29-28 Ulanbekov)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Maksum (29-28 Maksum)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Maksum (29-28 Maksum)

The Official Result

Tagir Ulanbekov def. Azat Maksum via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Irina Alekseeva (135.5) vs. Klaudia Sygula (135.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Alekseeva (-270), Sygula (+220)

Round 1

In a de facto four-woman bantamweight tournament, this bout and the next might set the stage for a new contender in the division starved for fresh challengers. Alekseeva (5-2, 1-1 UFC), nicknamed “Russian Ronda,” may only have one armbar on her ledger, but maybe she can pick up her second tonight. She battles Fitfabric representative Sygula (6-2, 0-1 UFC) out of Poland, who also posts exactly one armbar on her resume. It should be noted that both of these two, as well as the upcoming Darya Zheleznyakova, have lost to Melissa Mullins in the past, so a rematch could be in order if Mullins prevails. The bantamweights touch ‘em up as referee Lukasz Bosacki watches on. Alekseeva Sygula is quick to engage, with a low kick and a right hand over the top. Alekseeva tries to check a kick by lifting her leg up, so Sygula drills it on the other side and then follows with another overhand right. A huge right hand hurts Alekseeva, and Sygula uses Alekseeva’s momentum against her by blasting her in the face with her fists. Alekseeva’s responses have marked up Sygula’s face as well, especially her right cheek, but the overhand right from Sygula has been the best weapon thus far. Alekseeva walks through a few punches to tag Sygula with her own right hook. Sygula strings punches into low kicks, while Alekseeva flails and swings without concern of landing or not. Sygula wraps a right hand over the guard, and Alekseeva is tough but taking punishment. Sygula mixes things up with a pushing front kick, and she prods out a jab and a right hook, her most effect combo. Sygula dances out of the way of Alekseeva’s responses, striking more cleanly and accurately for the most part while Alekseeva is all about haymakers. Sygula comes up short on an elbow but still connects with her low kick, and Alekseeva’s leg shows a foot-shaped welt on the inside and outside. Sygula stays out of range from the attacks, darting in to nail Alekseeva with a left and a right before zipping away. Alekseeva stabs straight punches to the body, but her blows with arcs on them are less-than-accurate. Sygula bears down on her opponent, and she finishes a combo with a front kick, toes extended, that connects squarely to Alekseeva’s groin. Mitchell calls the foul—women can take groin shots too—and Alekseeva bounces around and recovers after about 35 seconds. Sygula does not come out slowly when they restart, rifling off a combination and dodging the looping counters. Alekseeva goes to the body with a kick, and Sygula stands in the pocket and trades just long enough before taking fire. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sygula
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Sygula
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sygula

Round 2

Sygula picks up right where she left off, with aggression and active offense. Sygula does not go for broke, instead finding her openings and letting them go. Alekseeva, meanwhile, swings for the bleachers. A solid right hand to the body from Alekseeva surprises Sygula, who backs off in a hurry, and Alekseeva gives chase and tries to lay into her. The Polish fighter hurries away, and she lets rip an inside low kick that slams square into Alekseeva’s groin. Alekseeva immediately drops to her knees in pain, and a disappointed Bosacki calls time. Alekseeva tries to hurry back, and Bosacki tells her she needs to take as long as she needs. He goes over to Sygula to issue a hard warning, but does not deduct a point, because again, rules are meant to be broken in MMA. After somewhere in the neighborhood of 90 seconds, the ladies get back to throwing down, and Alekseeva is angry and looking for violence. Sygula stays light on her feet, hopping to and fro to not take much damage. The Polish woman bounds in with a left hand, and she springs away when Alekseeva loops two right hands at her. Alekseeva pushes the pace, backing Sygula off, but most of her winging shots miss the mark. Sygula pushes forward momentarily behind a one-two, and she pecks out a few jabs. Alekseeva swings and mostly misses, skimming the top of the forehead as her winging punches lose some of their sting. Sygula catches her at the end of a one-two, and Alekseeva frowns and aims a hammerfist at Sygula’s knee. Sygula clips Alekseeva when Alekseeva marches her down, and Alekseeva may land back but her nose gets busted open in exchanges. Sygula goes from body to head indiscriminately, stopping Alekseeva in her tracks for a moment. Alekseeva gathers her thoughts and spins with two kicks that miss the mark, while Sygula counters her right before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sygula
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Sygula
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sygula

Round 3

The final round opens up with Sygula attacking almost immediately, pushing out a front kick and trying her luck at an overhand right. Sygula walks into a front kick, and Alekseeva snaps her head back with a follow-up left hand. Alekseeva gears up for violence, swinging her shin to the midsection and crashing forward in pursuit of a body lock takedown. Alekseeva keeps it high and tight, jamming Sygula with knees. Sygula explodes out of the tie-up, and Alekseeva’s body language is not great as blood trickles from her nose and she takes several deep breaths. Sygula chains a number of punches together up top, and she stuns Alekseeva to her core with a standing back fist. Alekseeva bends over but does not go down, and Sygula attacks to try to finish the fight. Sygula unleashes punches in bunches until the two tie up, in which she changes levels and drags “Russian Ronda” to the mat. Sygula lands comfortably in half guard, where she smothers her opponent and grinds her out. Alekseeva bucks but gives up full mount in the process, and Sygula gladly claims it with a minute left. Sygula does not posture up, instead staying chest-to-chest to ride out the fight. She drops down a few punches and elbows to punctuate the round, and finally sitting up to rain down blows until the final horn blares. Sygula stands and raises her arms in the air, while the defeated Alekseeva remains on her knees in disappointment as the two go the distance.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sygula (30-27 Sygula)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-8 Sygula (30-26 Sygula)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Sygula (30-27 Sygula)

The Official Result

Klaudia Sygula def. Irina Alekseeva via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Melissa Mullins (136) vs. Darya Zheleznyakova (136)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Mullins (-278), Zheleznyakova (+225)

Round 1

With their bout already hinted at in the previous match, Mullins (7-1, 2-1 UFC) and Zheleznyakova (9-2, 1-1 UFC) will run back a match from Ares 9 in 2022 where Mullins pulled off the last-second TKO that some referees might have let go to the bell. Any doubt is about to be removed from the equation as these two bantamweights rematch, and referee Rich Mitchell is on top of the action. Gloves are quickly touched, but Zheleznyakova wants to get her hands on her opponent and does just that immediately. The Russian goes to the head and body, and she beats Mullins to the punch with a straight right hand when splitting apart. Zheleznyakova stings Mullins with a combination, and Mullins’ face is red and taking shots in a hurry. Mullins shoots desperately after getting hurt, and Zheleznyakova shoves her away and continues punching her in the face. Zheleznyakova disengages and finds her way forward with two looping hooks. Mullins catches Zheleznyakova on her way in with a right hand that turns Zheleznyakova’s nose red, but Mullins’ whole face is already crimson. Zheleznyakova swings a right hand that buzzes the jaw, and she goes to the body after to keep things flowing. Mullins pushes her away with a front kick, and she drills Zheleznyakova with a left hand but gets caught on the way back. Both women show facial damage after less than half a round, and Mullins stuns her opponent with a crisp right hand. Mullins stands in the pocket and nails Zheleznyakova with an uppercut, backing her opponent up and rifling off a left hand. Zheleznyakova circles and swings hard, knocking Mullins’ head around but not discouraging her from entering. Three more punches from Zheleznyakova connect clean on the Brit’s jaw, which still holds up under fire. Mullins meanders forward, bounding away from a few punches but sitting down on her right hand. Zheleznyakova misses on a few blitzes, and Mullins backs her off with a clean jab. Mullins puts three hands on her foe, dislodging Zheleznyakova’s gumshield. Mitchell grabs it and hands it back to the women, who take a moment to figure out who lost it. Zheleznyakova replaces it, and Mullins knocks it right back out on the restart. Mullins bullies her opponent to the floor, standing in half guard and sitting down into mount. Mullins snatches up an armbar in a moment, rolling over to lock it down. Zheleznyakova stays tight to stop the submission from hyperextending her limb, making it to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mullins
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Mullins
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Mullins

Round 2

The women tap their gloves together, and they proceed to trade jabs. Mullins pushes out a front kick to the ribs, staying out of range from the Russian’s long punches. Mullins stays in the center of the cage, hopping out of the way of the offense of her foe and clipping Zheleznyakova with a right hand. The right hand causes immediate damage, as Zheleznyakova’s left eye starts swelling up fast. Zheleznyakova tries to pay her back with an overhand right, but it is not nearly as powerful. Mullins flicks out her jab, and she hammers the front leg with a kick. Zheleznyakova crashes in swinging, and Mullins stands her ground and pops her with an overhand right. When Mullins goes to the lead leg again, she stumbles back and inadvertently avoids the counters soaring past her. They jab at one another, and Mullins eventually follows one with a two. Zheleznyakova swings wide a few times, her mouth wide open, and she finds her bearings and tags Mullins with a trio of punches. Zheleznyakova reaches out with a right hand and follows with a left on the jaw, and she backs Mullins off with a few punches and appears to frazzle Mullins with a body shot, who bends over. Zheleznyakova springs into action, spraying punches every which way including some towards Mullins. As Zheleznyakova lays into her opponent, Mullins grits her teeth and tackles the Russian to the mat. Zheleznyakova keeps her arms wrapped around Mullins to shut down any offense, and Mullins explodes with 15 seconds left to get into top position. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zheleznyakova
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Zheleznyakova
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Zheleznyakova

Round 3

The bantamweights touch ‘em up as they reach the last round, and jabs from both sides come again to start off. Zheleznyakova does not bite on a faked takedown effort, and she swings with a left hook but misses the mark. Zheleznyakova strings four punches together, rattling around her rival’s head, and she does not eat any counter as Mullins’ offense dwindles. Zheleznyakova jabs the body and goes upstairs with a right hand, and Mullins sees another one of those combos coming and parries it. Zheleznyakova mixes it up with a right to the body and a left to the dome, and Mullins defends by keeping her elbow up hoping that the Russian will walk into it. Mullins kicks her opponent’s front leg a single time, with Zheleznyakova appearing to have a second wind as she is the one pushing the pace, her face a swollen and busted mess. Mullins’ visage is not any better, and Zheleznyakova pins two punches on it to make it worse. The Brit connects with a body kick and then targets the sternum with the ball of her foot, and jumps to anticipate a strike that does not come. The jabs open up Mullins’ nose, which might be leaking from both nostrils. Mullins drops down for a single, and Zheleznyakova turns to the side and is dragged back down. Zheleznyakova defends a takedown by grabbing the fence, and Mitchell yells at her. The foul saving her from going down, she is able to bound off her knees instead and keep her back to the fence. Zheleznyakova pushes her away with 45 seconds to spare, and she gets right in Mullins’ face with her jabs and twos. The two ladies trade it out until the final horn, and they embrace after 15 minutes of bloody combat.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zheleznyakova (29-28 Zheleznyakova)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Mullins (29-28 Mullins)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Mullins (29-28 Mullins)

The Official Result

Darya Zheleznyakova def. Melissa Mullins via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Ismail Naurdiev (186) vs. Jun Yong Park (186)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Park (-180), Naurdiev (+150)

Round 1

Firmly back in the confines of the UFC roster after taking seven fights elsewhere, Naurdiev (24-7, 3-2 UFC) has a lot to prove and some time to do it as he will reach the age of 29 in August. The relative elder statesman in this middleweight match is Park (18-6, 8-3 UFC), who will be entering into his 12th bout as a member of the organization. For this classic matchup of Austria vs. South Korea, referee Lukasz Bosacki will be the third in the Octagon. The fighters bump fists, and Naurdiev resides in the center of the cage attacking the body. Park responds with an overhand right, but Naurdiev’s volume is consistent with jabs and low kicks and the occasional power strike. They tie up for a second, and Naurdiev breaks off and drills Park with three punches that make him flinch and have to blink it out. Park responds with power, but Naurdiev swarms him with a trio of fists that get his attention again. Park swings mightily, and the Austrian keeps his range and sways out of the way from the worst of them. A right hand from Park reddens up Naurdiev’s face, but he gives it right back and bends Park’s nose a bit. The middleweights trade blows up top, with Park headhunting while Naurdiev opens up with a right hand that the Korean rolls with. Naurdiev cracks Park with a flurry, and Park steels himself and pays him back. Naurdiev’s punches are accurate, quick and painful, but Park is an “Iron Turtle” slowly working his way forward. The nickname is perfect for Park, who displays durability and eventually gets through. Naurdiev eats a stern right hand that makes him back off, and he pushes out with his fingers outstretched and swipes Park in the eye. Naurdiev is immediately apologetic, and Park does not take long to recover after Bosacki calls it. Naurdiev opens up with two hooks when they resume, and Park works his way forward behind a jab. Naurdiev flashes out two punches and then a knee to the body, and Park knees him back and takes one to the groin. Naurdiev says he is fine, and Park walks him down and blasts him in the face. Naurdiev rips the body with a left, and he shakes Park up with a right hand. Park takes a deep breath and explodes with a right hand that staggers Naurdiev. This rock-em sock-em battle continues as Park puts his foot slowly but comfortably on the gas, no-selling Naurdiev’s biggest blows and tripping Naurdiev up and possibly dropping him. Whether the knockdown was a knockdown or a slip may weigh heavily on the scores of the round, which ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Park
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Park

Round 2

When the round begins, Naurdiev starts by pushing off with his left hand and jamming it into Park’s eye socket. Bosacki calls time and tells Naurdiev to watch himself but does not take a point on the second poke. They restart, and Park rushes forward for a takedown and walks through a flying knee. Park drops to a knee, and Naurdiev blasts him in the face with an illegal knee. Bosacki immediately calls that it was a foul, and Park’s left eye is shredded open as blood streams down his face. Park stays on his seat for a minute, and Bosacki is advised by referee Herb Dean of his options. Park cannot open his eye as he gets to his feet, and he crouches back down as the physician attends to the wound. After two-plus minutes, Park stands up, and he leans on the fence as he speaks to the officials through an interpreter. Bosacki asks the doctor to check if Park can continue, and they test Park’s vision by covering his good eye. Park still cannot open his eye three minutes into the break, but somehow he is cleared to continue as the doctor issues a thumbs-up. Bosacki deducts two points from Naurdiev, who expresses disappointment in learning that Park’s knee was down. Park is able to get going after all, and after over four minutes of recovery and Bosacki checking them back in, he is enraged and runs towards Naurdiev to take him down. Naurdiev defends with hacking elbows to the side of the dome, hopping on one foot while Park holds the other in the air. Park wants to keep things tight, and Naurdiev knees him in the face when tied up. Naurdiev leans against his opponent until breaking off with an elbow, and he aims two left hands on the damaged eye and backs off. Park wipes his eye and digs an uppercut to the ribs before pushing Naurdiev to the wall. Naurdiev turns the corner and drops down for a double-leg takedown, and Park defends properly but is still lifted and slammed to the ground. The Austrian takes Park’s back and gets a hook in, searching for a choke that does not come. Park scrambles, working his way to his knees and then upright. Park puts a knee down to prevent another knee on the melon, and he turns Naurdiev around and muscles him to the mat. Park uses his weight to drag Naurdiev from the side, sliding his own hook in and loops his left arm under the chin. Naurdiev has the other limb controlled, and Park smacks him with his free hand. Park goes after one final choke, but the round ends with Naurdiev needing a finish in Round 3.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-7 Park
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-7 Park
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-7 Park

Round 3

Park is a man on a mission, pushing the pace and drilling Naurdiev with punches up top and to the midsection. The body shots have taken their toll on the Austrian, as Park is able to back him up and work him down to the mat. Park is on the side of Naurdiev with a hook around his leg, looking for a choke but bailing on it to take mount for a moment. Naurdiev turns to surrender his back briefly, but Park remains in a dominant position wearing Naurdiev down. Naurdiev grabs the fence to adjust himself, and Bosacki grumbles at him. Park slowly bowls Naurdiev over, drowning him with short right hands and top control. Park reams his opponent with an elbow to the side of the head, and he softens Naurdiev up with punches until Naurdiev explodes to turn to his back. Park gladly takes his back and secures both hooks, and he irritates Naurdiev with punches to soften him up. Park hunts for a choke, and Naurdiev defends his neck but has little else to offer with about a minute left in the match. Naurdiev pushes his feet off the wall in hopes of freeing himself, and Park waves to the crowd while in dominant position. With a second left, Park wraps up the rear-naked choke, and if he had more time, he likely would have finished the job. Instead, they reach the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Park (30-24 Park)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-8 Park (29-25 Park)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Park (30-24 Park)

The Official Result

Jun Yong Park def. Ismail Naurdiev via Unanimous Decision (29-26, 29-26, 29-25)

Oban Elliott (170.5) vs. Seok Hyeon Ko (169.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Elliott (-500), Ko (+380)

Round 1

To warn everyone of his power, the debuting South Korean Ko (11-2, 0-0 UFC) now goes by the nickname of “The Korean Tyson” despite a knockout rate of 55%. More importantly is that the newcomer has earned three of his last four wins by KO or TKO, so it holds up for now. Perhaps fortuitously, his first test in the UFC is Elliott (12-2, 3-0 UFC), a streaking Welshman whose only losses are via strikes. Someone’s win streak is about to go down hard, and referee Herb Dean will be here for it every step of the way. Eager to get things going, the 170ers meet in the middle and tap their gloves together. Ko comes forward, his hands wide, and he leans back to dodge an introductory head kick whizzing at his head. Ko swings hard with a left, and Elliott ducks it and ties him up immediately. Ko breaks free and chases the Welshman down, drilling his opponent in the mouth with a big left hand. Ko tries to fire off another, but Elliott is wise to it and evades it. Ko’s head kick zooms past “The Welsh Gangster,” who shoots in for a takedown beneath it. Elliott trips Ko but cannot put him down, and Ko counter-throws him to the canvas. Elliott stands up, and Ko’s judo plays a factor as he hurls Elliott down. Elliott stands up, but a mat return allows Ko to take his back and then slide over to partial half-guard when Elliott lays to his back. Elliott utilizes butterfly hooks that allow him to scramble, and as he gets to his feet, Ko lays into him with two mighty fists. Elliott shrugs them off and hammers the body twice with his shin. Ko punches his way into a clinch, where the two jockey for position until Elliott shakes out of it. Elliott kicks his way backwards, with Ko chasing him and winging a big right hand at him. The resulting momentum drags them into another clinch, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ko
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ko
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ko

Round 2

Elliott leads the dance with an inside calf kick, and he slides back as Ko whiffs on a spinning back elbow. Ko sticks out a left hand, and he follows with another but is caught on the way back with a right hand from the Welshman. Ko goes high with a kick, and Elliott digs his own to the body twice. Ko cracks his opponent with a left hand, forcing Elliott to shoot for a single. Ko spins around to take the back and drag Elliott to his knees, and Elliott is able to wall-walk to get back up. Ko wrenches him down with his hands clasped around his foe’s waist, swirling around to get on top and drop down a handful of right hands. When Elliott stands, Ko yanks him back down, and he starts fishing for a rear-naked choke with one arm. Elliott defends it and turns to his back, and Ko accepts this by moving into his half guard. Elliott’s legs push Ko off of him for a moment, but Ko springs back to the other side in half guard, where he hacks down with elbows. Ko swarms with offense as Elliott scrambles to twist to his knees, and Ko has his leg intertwined with Elliott’s to keep him stuck. Ko grabs hold of a rear-naked choke grip that is on Elliott’s nose, crushing the face but ultimately using a pain move and not one that would likely deprive him of oxygen or blood flow. Elliott turns to get out of it and pushes off with his feet flailing, forcing Ko to get on top in half guard. Ko drops down a few 12-6 legal elbows, even kneeing Elliott on the shoulder, until the round wraps.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ko
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ko
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ko

Round 3

The welterweights meet in the middle, and Elliott is trying to let his hands go early. Ko kicks him upside the head and nails him with two punches that stand him back up, before getting to the clinch. Ko easily trips the Welshman to the mat, where he finds himself in side control. In dominant position, Ko briefly flirts with north-south position and slashes down with elbows that shred open Elliott’s left eyebrow. Elliott uses his toes to pull off the fence to improve position, blood streaming down his face when he turns to the side. Ko smothers him, easily slicing from half guard to side control. As Ko looks to pass, Elliott bursts back to his feet, but it is a hollow victory as Ko immediately wrenches him down from behind. Elliott turns himself over in a desperate effort to get out of this mauling mess, and Ko—a huge underdog—easily rolls him over and assumes full mount with 90 seconds to go. Ko’s punches are so wildly that Elliott is able to get him back to half guard, and Elliott wall-walks with his feet but finds himself on the wrong end of north-south position once more. At the 20-second mark, Elliott wraps up a sudden inverted triangle choke, and Ko wags his finger at him and pounds on Elliott’s face with his free hand. Elliott squeezes with all his might until the final horn blares, and he releases it as Ko sits up. Ko stands, and offers to help Elliott back to his feet, while Elliott wipes the blood from his visage. The prelims go six for six with decisions, and hopefully the main card can pick things up a little.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ko (30-27 Ko)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Ko (30-27 Ko)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Ko (30-27 Ko)

The Official Result

Seok Hyeon Ko def. Oban Elliott via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Muhammadjon Naimov (146) vs. Bogdan Grad (146)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Naimov (-230), Grad (+190)

Round 1

What was once a stadium-drawing attraction has become old hat for Tajikistan’s Naimov (12-3, 4-1 UFC), who is already taking his sixth walk to the Octagon since debuting in the middle of 2023. The man known as “Hillman” will take one of the few other Austrian talents on the roster in the form of Grad (15-2, 1-0 UFC). Drawing the charge for this featherweight contest is referee Marc Goddard, who stands back to let the fighters come together and touch ‘em up. Grad is fired up and jittery, missing with a front kick and slapping the front leg with his shin. Naimov responds with his own low kick and sways out of the way of an overhand right. Grad reaches him with a rear low kick, and he lands a second as Naimov is changing stances. Grad drops his hands and engages, kicking his man in the side and getting tagged with a right hand over the top. Grad just misses a spinning wheel kick effort, and the crowd starts chanting for Naimov. Naimov says two can play that game and shellacks Grad with his own wheel kick, shaking Grad up badly. Grad musters up every bit of his willpower to rush forward, still wobbled, and tackle the Tajik fighter to the mat. Naimov gets back to his feet but eats an elbow in the process, and he breaks out. Naimov strings together a combination ending with an elbow, and Grad is tough as nails as he rushes forward. Naimov catches him on the way forward with a left hand, and he hops back to dodge a wheel kick. Naimov counters with a back fist, and as he rushes forward, Grad clips him with a punch that knocks his mouthguard out. With Grad pushing Naimov to the fence, Goddard replaces the fighter’s mouthpiece without needing to break the action up. The two fighters jockey for position, and Naimov drives a knee up the middle and eats an elbow right before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naimov
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Naimov
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Naimov

Round 2

The fighters tap glove before getting after it, where they trade high kicks as Grad roars at his foe. Grad whiffs on a jumping kick, and he swipes a left hand behind the ear that appears to destabilize his adversary. Naimov backs off, avoiding a wheel kick and tripping himself up on the outer gate area. Grad marches him down, trying another spin but settling down with a body kick that pounds his man in the side. They kick at the same time, and Grad nods at him and rips unloads with a left hand around the guard. Naimov pays him back with interest in the form of a one-two, and he nearly bites on a faked takedown effort. Grad spins with a kick that misses, setting him up for a double-leg takedown try. Grad takes Naimov from behind as he leans him against the wall, slugging him in the side of the head once before Naimov turns himself around. Grad drops down low for a takedown, and he is shut down for it. Naimov elbows to break off, and he spins with a back kick that lands on Grad’s hip. Grad walks forward to deliver a kick on the inside of the lead leg, and he backs off to dodge the head kick but is not out of range from a one-two that tags him. Naimov circles around until settling down, as Grad looks for a rushing up-elbow and shoots for a takedown. Naimov latches onto the neck with a guillotine choke, only for Grad to switch to the other side and laugh off the submission. Grad goes after the double, and he lands it with five seconds left. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Grad
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Grad
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Grad

Round 3

Grad is fired up to start off the round, rifling off kicks from both legs. Naimov spins with a back elbow that clips the side of the head, and his spinning wheel kick stuns Grad but does not put him down. Grade gathers his thoughts and shoots for a double, ultimately putting Naimov down to the ground as he redoubles his effort. The Austrian gets both hooks in, and Naimov stands up even with Grad on his back. Naimov grabs hold of Grad’s foot to spin him around, and he lowers himself down to the mat to establish top position. Grad throws his legs up in pursuit of a triangle choke, and Naimov shoves the legs over to shut it down. Grad complains to Goddard about something, and Goddard asks them for more activity as Naimov is in a holding pattern. Grad sits up for a moment, and Goddard stands them up with 90 seconds to spare. Grad marches his man down, digs a left to the liver and shoots for a double. When stopped, Grad goes high with a clacking elbow. Grad hangs on tight and changes levels, kneeing Naimov in the gut but not able to keep him there. Naimov splits with 30 seconds left, and he says hello against with a spinning wheel kick. Grad greets him back with a head kick that brushes the beard, and he considers a spin but bails on it. Grad wants a brawl, and Naimov will not oblige as the fight ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naimov (29-28 Naimov)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Naimov (29-28 Naimov)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Naimov (29-28 Naimov)

The Official Result

Muhammadjon Naimov def. Bogdan Grad via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Nikolas Motta (155.5) vs. Nazim Sadykhov (155)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Sadykhov (-470), Motta (+360)

Round 1

In one of the wider betting lines on the billing, local finisher Sadykhov (10-1-1, 3-0-1 UFC) is a massive favorite upwards of -500 ahead of his match with “Iron” Motta (15-5, 1 NC; 3-2, 1 NC UFC). It is not to say there is a setup being planned, but it just so happens that Motta has lost all of his bouts by stoppage, and this pairing is on the ABC-based main card for a reason. Motta also hits like a 155-pound truck, and in this sport, there is no such thing as a sure thing. The two combatants touch gloves before the eyes of referee Lukasz Bosacki, and Sadykhov starts off with several low kicks. Motta comes back firing with punches up high, and Sadykhov parries them and pulls off a reverse crescent kick with his lead leg. Motta answers strong with a body kick and a few punches, and Sadykhov hops around to find a better way in. Sadykhov walks face-first into a left hand, and he allows Motta to kick him so he can blast him with a left hook. The crowd is going wild for their home country fighter, who surges forward with two hooks. Motta splits the guard with a few straight punches, and he eats a right hand and is able to block a head kick in time. Sadykhov chips at the front leg, and Motta rushes at him with a left to the body. Motta lets his hands go, catching Sadykhov with fiery fists, backing Sadykhov to the wall and hurting him badly. Motta unloads with everything he has, putting Sadykhov down thanks to his body shots. Sadykhov shells up against the wall, swaying and dodging but not doing anything else, Motta keeps bludgeoning him, until he suddenly stops and backs off, possibly low on steam. Sadykhov surges into action, booting Motta upside the head and chaining several mighty fists behind it. Sadykhov’s momentum and offense pushes Motta to the wall, and Bosacki warns him for grabbing the fence to keep him there. The two break, and Sadykhov lays into his foe with an elbow. Motta still has the energy to lace a flurry together, and Sadykhov gives him plenty to think about including a head kick at the end. Sadykhov backs Motta up and starts doing damage, only to get clipped on the way. Sadykhov kicks high, and Motta kicks him back harder. Sadykhov shoots in low for a double, and Motta stops him but has his back against the wall. Sadykhov leans on him, and both fighters take some time to catch their wind. Right before the bell, Sadykhov drives a knee to the gut and lets go with two elbows. Motta smiles at him.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Motta
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Motta
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Motta

Round 2

The fighters touch gloves, and Sadykhov is the initial aggressor but is pushed back thanks to a Motta right hand. Motta blocks a kick and responds with his own head kick, and the two both share single punches. Sadykhov lets loose with a spinning wheel kick that glances off the guard, but his straight left hand finds the market. Motta sticks his tongue out, but Sadykhov rails him in the face with a head-splitting combination. Blood streams down the Brazilian’s face, who nevertheless marches forward to strike. Sadykhov backs him off briefly with a combination, keeping his guard up to defend the head kick. Motta’s wound is leaking all over, and Sadykhov jabs him to the body with his foot. Sadykhov lands first, but Motta lands last and harder with an elbow that staggers the local. Sadykhov strings three punches together with a head kick at the end, and “Iron Motta” shows his durability as he remains in the slugfest. Sadykhov shrugs the worst of the blows off to give them back with a vengeance, and Motta attacks the body and rips punches around the guard. The two fight in a phone booth, slashing one another with elbows before Motta clinches up to take a moment. Sadykhov shoves him back and has his guard up to block punches, and then they let loose with a fierce exchange. Sadykhov further busts up Motta, but Motta will not go down and is hitting him back just as hard. They elbow one another, the crowd is exploding, and the fighters are giving it everything they have. Motta unloads with a series of uppercuts as Sadykhov comes towards him, and it is Sadykhov who leans on his opponent to catch his breath. Motta bleeds all over him, similarly glad to have the brief respite. Sadykhov flips the switch, obliterating the current decision streak by letting loose with a hellacious flurry of body shots and punches up top. As “Black Wolf” delivers the payload of a destructive right hand square on the chin, Motta’s knees finally give way beneath him. Motta crumples to his seat, and Sadykhov demolishes him with a few more right hands until Bosacki waves things off. The audience goes ballistic as the Azerbaijani secures the dramatic victory in a bloody battle that will reach year-end consideration for sure. The barn was burned, the slobber was knocked and the fists resulted in fireworks after nearly two rounds of terrific action. Both fighters should take a bow for that performance.

The Official Result

Nazim Sadykhov def. Nikolas Motta R2 4:17 via TKO (Punches)

Tofiq Musayev (163) vs. Myktybek Orolbai (165)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Orolbai (-170), Musayev (+132)

Round 1

These two fighters were originally scheduled at lightweight but ended up needing an extra 10 pounds—and it was Orolbai (13-2-1, 2-1 UFC) who was going to end up nearly a whole weight class heavy. To preserve the match and keep the purses intact publicly, Musayev (22-5, 0-0 UFC) and his foe agreed to the catchweight at 165 pounds. With a combined 31 finishes in their 35 pro wins, referee Rich Mitchell is buckled up in the event this one goes to the stratosphere. There is a shared glove touch before the frenetic melee commences, but good luck matching the last fight. Both fighters bounce towards and away from one another, with Orolbai shooting in for a takedown 15 seconds in. Orolbai lifts his foe up in the air, but Musayev is able to keep his balance somehow and catch Orolbai with a short uppercut on the way down. Orolbai catches a kick, loops a right hand over the top and tackles Musayev to the floor. Orolbai wrests his shoulder down for a possible arm-triangle choke, possibly serving as a Von Preux given that Musayev holds him with a one-armed guillotine that is going nowhere. Orolbai yanks his neck out, and Musayev uses butterfly hooks to try and fail to get his off of him. Orolbai settles down in the guard, trying to wriggle his arms free so he can unload some offense. The building echoes with Musayev’s name, and Musayev uses the energy to kick Orolbai off of him for a second. Orolbai lowers himself back down and takes Musayev’s back. Orolbai gets a hook in and starts fishing for a choke, and Musayev uses pure muscle to stand. Orolbai, on the other hand, shows off technique by dumping Musayev back down to the mat. Musayev hangs on with a guillotine on the side, cranking it with a single arm but not threatening in any way. Musayev’s butterfly hooks fail to work this time, but he deftly scrambles to turn himself around and burst back to his feet. Musayev grabs his opponent’s gloves, and Mitchell actually pauses the fight and separates them even though it was Musayev who was doing the grabbing, and Orolbai protests. The match resumes, and Orolbai blocks a kick and charges to take Musayev down. Orolbai takes advantage of the situation as he steps to the side and grabs hold of Musayev’s left arm. The Kyrgyzstani fighter knows exactly what he is searching for, gripping a two-on-one wrist lock to isolate the kimura. Orolbai steps his leg over Musayev’s head and cranks the limb with every bit of energy he has. Musayev’s face contorts into pain as the submission is wrecking his arm, with onlookers imagining his ligaments and tendons straining and snapping like overtuned guitar strings. Before his shoulder is totally and completely destroyed, an agonized Musayev surrenders. The crowd is silenced immediately, with their home country fighter getting finished in the first round in his UFC debut on home soil. There is a bit of an unwritten blemish on the victory, as it might have been a different turn of events if Orolbai could reach the lightweight cap.

The Official Result

Myktybek Orolbai def. Tofiq Musayev R1 4:35 via Submission (Kimura)

Curtis Blaydes (256) vs. Rizvan Kuniev (264.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Blaydes (-285), Kuniev (+230)

Round 1

Perhaps because he was out of options and the promotion opted against giving him rematches, the UFC has placed Blaydes (18-5, 1 NC; 13-5, 1 NC UFC) in the precarious position of welcoming a promising newcomer to the organization. Imagine grinding your way up the bitter, grueling sport for 14 years, only for you to finally reach the pinnacle of the UFC, and your debut is against former title challenger Blaydes. Kuniev (12-1-1, 1 NC; 0-0 UFC) will be receiving that honor, battling against Sherdog’s No. 7 heavyweight in his first promotional appearance. Whether it will be business as usual or a total explosion in the rankings, referee Herb Dean will be keeping close watch. Eager to finally do this after two canceled excursions, the big men bump fists.

Within 15 seconds, Blaydes says hello by blasting through his opponent’s hips with a double, setting the Russian on his seat. Kuniev works his way back to his feet, but Blaydes is on him, imposing his weight, and the crowd is eerily silent. Kuniev grabs the fence to stay afloat, and Dean yells at him. Blaydes elevates but cannot slam Kuniev down, so he sets him back on his feet and leans on Kuniev. Kuniev grabs the cage again, and Dean slaps his hand away. Blaydes knees him in the thigh, and Kuniev grabs the fence again as he gets taken down. Blaydes clubs him with an uppercut while on Kuniev’s back, and he steps on the back of Kuniev’s calf to crush it in a big brother move.

Blaydes flirts with a standing arm-triangle choke, and he lets it go when Kuniev turns around. Blaydes smacks his foe in the side, and Kuniev breaks free. Blaydes shoots from afar to try to take the fight down, and when that fails, he beans Kuniev with an overhand right. Kuniev paws back with a left hook, but it is more a swatting strike. Blaydes sways and dodges the swings from the Russian, faking level changes to get him to bite on them. When Kuniev steps in to trade, Blaydes pops him with a left over the top. Commentators are so thrilled with this heavyweight engagement that color commentator Michael Bisping starts talking about running laps and wearing hats. Meanwhile, Blaydes shoots for a takedown with seconds left, and Bisping brings up a rug he purchased. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Blaydes
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Blaydes
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Blaydes

Round 2

The heavyweights slowly work towards one another as the round begins, with a glove touch reached. Kuniev kicks the American in the lead leg, and Blaydes changes levels but backs off before employing it. When Kuniev swings wide, Blaydes connects with a left hand, and he eats a lead leg kick to go for a takedown. Kuniev breaks out of it but eats an elbow on the way out. Blaydes ducks and dips the flailing fists of the newcomer, and he snaps out a double jab. Kuniev sits down on a fierce right hand, and he sits down on an uppercut awaiting a takedown shot that does not come. Blaydes continues faking on level changes, getting Kuniev to flinch but not sell out for a sprawl. Kuniev grows in confidence, marking up Blaydes’ left eye with jabs and one-twos and drawing blood.

Kuniev cracks the veteran with a trip of punches, and his right hand connects on the damaged eye. Kuniev is able to get away with putting his hands on Blaydes’ face, and he stings “Razor” with a combo. Blaydes jabs and ducks for a takedown, but does not actually shoot for it. Kuniev shuts down an actual takedown entry and keeps Blaydes in the clinch, and Blaydes goes low for an ankle but is unable to ground his opponent. Kuniev gets some space and they both land jabs at the same time. Kuniev slips and rips with an uppercut, and his left hand knocks Blaydes off-balance. Blaydes bounces off the wall and sticks his tongue out, only to eat two more shots. Kuniev ignores a flying knee and keeps punching the favorite in the face. Blaydes’ eye, which is bloodied on top, is starting to swell beneath it. A light low kick from Blaydes ends the tepid round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev

Round 3

The big, sweaty men meet in the middle and tap their hands together, but Blaydes pulls back before engaging. Kuniev snaps out a power jab, and he eats a couple inside low kicks for his effort. Blaydes dips a few times and jabs the body, and he goes after more leg kicks. Kuniev steps in with a knee that stuns Blaydes, who has to retreat and is not quite right on his feet. Instead of abandoning ship, however, Blaydes rushes forward swinging right hands towards his opponent, making Kuniev play defense instead of trying to finish the job. Blaydes gets his sea legs back beneath him, and he motions a low ankle pick. Kuniev shrugs it off and cracks Blaydes in the chin three times. Blaydes gives him something back hard, and he shoots for a single.

When Kuniev tries for a guillotine choke, Blaydes switches to a double. The heavyweight takedown leader circles around to take Kuniev’s back on the feet, and he knees Kuniev in the thigh repeatedly to stay busy. Kuniev grabs the fence, and the commentators call him on it as Dean signals that he’s got this. Dean tells Blaydes to do more than just hang on with peppering knees. With 90 seconds to go, Kuniev frees himself from the grip and lets loose with his swinging wrecking ball fists. Kuniev wings his way into a clinch, and Blaydes shucks him off with less than a minute remaining. Blaydes scores a left to the head and a right to the body, and he ducks a few punches and works his way forward into a guillotine choke. Blaydes totally ignores the choke as he goes after a double, and he rips uppercuts on the break. Kuniev strikes back, and the close, messy heavyweight slog ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Blaydes (29-28 Blaydes)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev (29-28 Kuniev)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev (29-28 Kuniev)

The Official Result

Curtis Blaydes def. Rizvan Kuniev via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Ignacio Bahamondes (155.5) vs. Rafael Fiziev (155.5)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bahamondes (-125), Fiziev (+105)

Round 1

The co-main event is a true just bleed delight if there ever was one. UFC chief Dana White might even attach his “If you don’t know, now you know” sticker of approval to this lightweight collision. Fiziev (12-4, 6-4 UFC), amped up to put a three-fight skid behind him, challenges vicious Chilean Bahamondes (17-5, 6-2 UFC) to fisticuffs. There is no more that needs to be said, as these two thrillers can take things into their own hands. Referee Marc Goddard will be there in case something goes awry, but otherwise hopes to have next-to-no involvement in this 155-pound scrap. Gloves are touched before they are traded.

Bahamondes uses his range as an advantage early, using his beanpole legs and arms to touch Fiziev before Fiziev can get to him. The stork-like legs from Bahamondes reach the mark first, but Fiziev is quick and nails Bahamondes’ leg on the way back. Bahamondes tries a kick from the other side that is not checked, and Fiziev crashes forward to drive home a few punches to the body. Fiziev checks a kick and switches stances, landing his own thudding kick. Bahamondes gives him one right back, and Fiziev ends a combo of inaccurate fists with an accurate calf kick. Fiziev connects with a clean body kick, and Bahamondes is still hesitant to engage with power.

The two crash together, with Fiziev going to the body as Bahamondes responds upstairs, and when Fiziev takes a step back, Bahamondes peppers him with kicks to the middle and low. A one-two from Bahamondes is out of range, despite measuring much longer in the arms, and Fiziev gets to him with a fierce body kick. Bahamondes splits the guard with a jab, and Fiziev blitzes him but does not land flush with anything. Both fighters constantly switch stances, mirroring one another until Bahamondes breaks up the dance party with a head kick attempt. Fiziev parries it and goes to the midsection. Fiziev lunges forward and snaps the head to the side with a strong left hook, the hardest punch of the fight thus far. Bahamondes misses with a spinning wheel kick, but his spinning back kick plants firmly on the midsection. Bahamondes tries an axe kick, and Fiziev comes up short on a one-two but scores a body kick at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fiziev
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Fiziev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bahamondes

Round 2

The lightweights measure one another with distant strikes early, and Fiziev uses his Matrix-like dodging ability to avoid a one-two and a buzzing head kick. Bahamondes races forward and grabs hold of the Azerbaijani fighter, where he pursues a single but goes nowhere fast. Fiziev breaks and cracks him with a left hook, one that forces Bahamondes to pursue the grappling again. Bahamondes leans on the Tiger Muay Thai instructor, but Fiziev turns him about and elbows him up top and pounds his body with his fists. Bahamondes attempts a pair of knees when setting up a brief Thai plum, and Fiziev shakes him off and leans to dodge the wheel kick he sees coming. Fiziev thumps Bahamondes with three strikes when Bahamondes lands one, and he smoothly dodges three kicks aimed at his head. Bahamondes pecks at Fiziev coming in with a jab, and he gets off leg kicks from either side before Fiziev can get to him. Bahamondes lands to the body, and Fiziev does the same with his shin. Bahamondes’s body kick is not dodged, nor is the end of his head kick.

Fiziev is caught at the end of that kick but not before landing some strikes of his own, and he shakes off the kick and shoots for a double. Bahamondes considers a guillotine when falling over, but he lets go and starts looking for upkicks. Fiziev does not fall victim to them, telling Bahamondes to stand up. Fiziev shoots again for a double, and this time, Bahamondes jumps guard for his guillotine. “Ataman” no-sells it, yanking his neck out of danger and posturing up to land a few hammerfists. Bahamondes tugs his toes on the wire—it is a rough day for enforcing fence grabs, even as Goddard admonishes the fouling fighter—and works to his feet. Fiziev knocks Bahamondes off his feet as Bahamondes tries a kick, and the crowd goes wild thinking he got the one-hitter quitter knockout. Instead, it was the end of the round bell that stopped the action.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fiziev
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Fiziev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Fiziev

Round 3

The fighters hug it out to start the last round, and Fiziev thanks him for the embrace by plugging Bahamondes with a crisp left hand. Bahamondes loops back a one-two at him as if to answer his volley, and his head kick zooms past the elusive Fiziev. Bahamondes’ front kick is out of range, and Fiziev jabs him back to keep him honest. When Bahamondes ties up the muay thai aficionado, Fiziev works him over with body shots and knees until Bahamondes abandons the effort. Bahamondes strides forward and plants a one-two on the chin, and he drills an advancing Fiziev with a stern right hand. Once more, Bahamondes scores a solid right hand, and he spins with a back kick that misses the mark. When he settles his feet, he surprises Fiziev with a few punches, and Fiziev pushes him over and considers taking top position.

Rather than playing in the guard, however, Fiziev stands up and motions that Bahamondes should follow him. Bahamondes strings several punches and kicks together, and his head kick still misses the mark. Fiziev gets up close and personal with body shots and knees, and Bahamondes bullies him to the wall in pursuit of a double. When that fails, Bahamondes settles for knees to the body, and Fiziev is warned for grabbing his opponent’s glove. Fiziev forces a separation and eats a right hand, going to the body first and firing upstairs. Bahamondes stands in the pocket and trades, connecting with heavy offense and putting more volume together. Fiziev does not like this, his eye busted open, and he shoots for a double. Bahamondes is stuck on his back absorbing elbows and body shots, but he gives Fiziev several elbows back. Both fighters go ballistic with elbows, and Fiziev backs off with seconds to go. Bahamondes spins with a wheel kick, and when he falls over, he attempts a leglock. A bloodied Fiziev calmly steps out of it and rains down punches until the horn sounds, concluding a decent match.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bahamondes (29-28 Fiziev)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Fiziev (30-27 Fiziev)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Fiziev (29-28 Fiziev)

The Official Result

Rafael Fiziev def. Ignacio Bahamondes via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Jamahal Hill (206) vs. Khalil Rountree (206)

BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rountree (-135), Hill (+114)

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Laporte scores the round:
Scottie Smith scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Laporte scores the round:
Scottie Smith scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Laporte scores the round:
Scottie Smith scores the round:

Round 4

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Laporte scores the round:
Scottie Smith scores the round:

Round 5

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
Christian Laporte scores the round:
Scottie Smith scores the round:

The Official Result