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Gets right back in win column
Nurmagomedov defeated Muin Gafurov via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:13 of Round 1 at UFC 294 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Easy work. Nurmagomedov is a solid all-around fighter with no significant weaknesses in his game, and he capitalized here on a massive early mistake from Gafurov. Muin got greedy in hopes of landing a prolonged combination, ducking his head down in the process. Said easily ducked down and clamped on the guillotine choke that closed the show. Referee Marc Goddard was actually on the opposite side of where the tap occurred and didn't see it, but Nurmagomedov graciously released the hold regardless. It was an excellent bounce-back performance from Said on the heels of his unanimous decision loss (which he should have won) to Jonathan Martinez this past March. It would also go on to win Nurmagomedov one of four $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening.
Easy work. Nurmagomedov is a solid all-around fighter with no significant weaknesses in his game, and he capitalized here on a massive early mistake from Gafurov. Muin got greedy in hopes of landing a prolonged combination, ducking his head down in the process. Said easily ducked down and clamped on the guillotine choke that closed the show. Referee Marc Goddard was actually on the opposite side of where the tap occurred and didn't see it, but Nurmagomedov graciously released the hold regardless. It was an excellent bounce-back performance from Said on the heels of his unanimous decision loss (which he should have won) to Jonathan Martinez this past March. It would also go on to win Nurmagomedov one of four $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses awarded on the evening.
Will fight Gafurov in Abu Dhabi
Nurmagomedov will take on Muin Gafurov in a bantamweight matchup at UFC 294 on Oct. 21, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Nurmagomedov has had a bit of a rough go of things in 2023, as he saw a four-fight UFC win streak snapped to Jonathan Martinez in March, and a scheduled August matchup against Kyler Phillips was ultimately cancelled. He'll now get a bounce-back opportunity against Gafurov, a well-regarded prospect, though one who happens to be winless in the UFC. Nurmagomedov will have slight height and reach advantages, as well as a significant experience edge. Both fighters are most comfortable on the mat, which can occasionally lead to a stand-up heavy affair.
Nurmagomedov has had a bit of a rough go of things in 2023, as he saw a four-fight UFC win streak snapped to Jonathan Martinez in March, and a scheduled August matchup against Kyler Phillips was ultimately cancelled. He'll now get a bounce-back opportunity against Gafurov, a well-regarded prospect, though one who happens to be winless in the UFC. Nurmagomedov will have slight height and reach advantages, as well as a significant experience edge. Both fighters are most comfortable on the mat, which can occasionally lead to a stand-up heavy affair.
No longer fighting Phillips
Nurmagomedov (undisclosed) will no longer face off against Kyler Phillips on Aug. 5, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Nurmagomedov has withdrawn from his scheduled bout with Kyler Phillips due to undisclosed reasons. The 31-year-old Russian fighter will be replaced by Raoni Barcelos.
Nurmagomedov has withdrawn from his scheduled bout with Kyler Phillips due to undisclosed reasons. The 31-year-old Russian fighter will be replaced by Raoni Barcelos.
Next fight scheduled
Nurmagomedov will face Kyler Phillips (suspension) in a bantamweight matchup at a UFC event scheduled for Aug. 5, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Nurmagomedov snapped a four-fight winning streak in March by losing to Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision in a tight matchup. He'll have a chance to bounce back against Phillips, who hasn't fought since November of 2022 and is in the midst of a six-month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for testing positive for ostarine. The two fighters are even in height, but Phillips has a slight edge in reach.
Nurmagomedov snapped a four-fight winning streak in March by losing to Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision in a tight matchup. He'll have a chance to bounce back against Phillips, who hasn't fought since November of 2022 and is in the midst of a six-month suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for testing positive for ostarine. The two fighters are even in height, but Phillips has a slight edge in reach.
Drops tight decision in Vegas
Nurmagomedov lost to Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
There's most definitely a case to be made that Nurmagomedov deserved to win this fight, and it's quite shocking not one of the three judges scored it for him. The first two rounds were pretty clear cut, with Nurmagomedov winning the opener and Martinez taking Round 2 in a closer frame. All three judges gave Martinez Round 3, although Said landed the only takedown of the frame and won the total strike count in the round by a 39-35 count. Nurmagomedov is still just 30 years of age and entered having won four straight, so he's in perfectly-fine shape moving forward, but it's a difficult result regardless.
There's most definitely a case to be made that Nurmagomedov deserved to win this fight, and it's quite shocking not one of the three judges scored it for him. The first two rounds were pretty clear cut, with Nurmagomedov winning the opener and Martinez taking Round 2 in a closer frame. All three judges gave Martinez Round 3, although Said landed the only takedown of the frame and won the total strike count in the round by a 39-35 count. Nurmagomedov is still just 30 years of age and entered having won four straight, so he's in perfectly-fine shape moving forward, but it's a difficult result regardless.