Magomed Ankalaev returned to profitable methods at UFC Abu Dhabi, stopping short-notice opponent Bogdan Guskov within the fifth spherical of a managed however largely uneventful most important occasion.
The previous light-heavyweight champion dominated the positioning and dictated the tempo at Etihad Area. Nevertheless, Ankalaev hardly ever took the dangers wanted to show his superiority into compelling motion till the ultimate two rounds.
Ramazan Temirov supplied the cardboard’s most memorable main-card second. He overwhelmed Steve Erceg earlier than securing a first-round stoppage within the co-main occasion.
Elsewhere, Sam Patterson, Muhammad Saidov and Valter Walker delivered spectacular preliminary-card finishes throughout an occasion that improved significantly after a gradual begin.
Followers who adopted the World in Sport UFC Abu Dhabi preview knew Ankalaev confronted an ungainly scenario. Khalil Rountree Jr withdrew from the unique most important occasion by harm, leaving Guskov to simply accept the competition at quick discover.
Ankalaev ultimately breaks down Guskov
Ankalaev entered the principle occasion needing a convincing response after shedding his light-heavyweight title to Alex Pereira.
He secured the victory, however the efficiency might not have instantly restored the momentum he misplaced with that defeat.
The opening rounds developed right into a cautious placing contest. Ankalaev operated from his southpaw stance, pressed ahead and located a house for infrequent left arms, physique kicks and low kicks.
Guskov spent a lot of the battle ready for a possibility that by no means arrived.
The late substitute confirmed little willingness to trade combos or take a look at Ankalaev’s defence. As a substitute, he circled close to the surface of the Octagon and allowed his opponent to regulate the space.
Ankalaev remained affected person reasonably than forcing the problem. He landed the cleaner pictures, however neither man produced sustained motion throughout the first three rounds. The gang made its frustration clear as the competition drifted in the direction of the championship rounds.
The battle modified when Ankalaev turned to his wrestling.
He secured a takedown early within the fourth spherical, managed Guskov from the again and threatened with a number of chokes. Guskov defended the submissions, though he provided little attacking menace of his personal.
Ankalaev accomplished one other takedown within the fifth. He moved into aspect management, adopted Guskov as he turned in the direction of the canvas and continued touchdown quick punches.
Referee Marc Goddard stopped the competition at 2:41 of spherical 5 when Guskov stopped intelligently defending himself. The victory gave Ankalaev the outcome he wanted, even when the route in the direction of it lacked urgency.
The full UFC Abu Dhabi outcomes confirmed Ankalaev’s victory as a TKO by strikes.
Temirov produces the night time’s greatest assertion
Ramazan Temirov made much more environment friendly use of his time contained in the Octagon.
The flyweight instantly positioned Steve Erceg underneath stress, closing the space and forcing the previous title challenger onto the defensive.
Erceg initially managed the menace effectively. He stayed composed, blocked a number of early assaults and tried to make use of his top and attain to regulate the vary.
Temirov refused to decelerate.
As the primary spherical progressed, he started touchdown with higher regularity. A heavy proper hand badly damage Erceg earlier than two additional punches despatched the Australian face-first in the direction of the canvas.
The referee stopped the battle at 4:21 of the opening spherical.
It was a decisive victory in opposition to a revered opponent and improved Temirov’s UFC report to 3 wins from three appearances. Erceg, in the meantime, suffered the fifth defeat of his skilled profession.
Temirov’s aggression, timing and ending intuition gave the flyweight division one other harmful contender to look at. He should still require one other ranked victory earlier than getting into the title dialog, however Abu Dhabi represented a major step ahead.
Full UFC Abu Dhabi outcomes
Islam Dulatov’s scheduled welterweight battle in opposition to Wellington Turman was cancelled shortly earlier than the occasion after Dulatov turned sick. The withdrawal lowered the ultimate card to 12 contests.
The official UFC Abu Dhabi occasion web page listed the present at Etihad Area on Yas Island.
Patterson earns an necessary comeback victory
British welterweight Sam Patterson recovered from a troublesome opening spherical to cease Santiago Ponzinibbio.
The skilled Argentinian began confidently and located his vary earlier than Patterson settled into the competition. By the top of the primary spherical, the Englishman had begun utilizing his dimension and attain extra successfully.
Patterson took full management within the second.
He pressured Ponzinibbio backwards with straight punches earlier than touchdown a strong proper hand. Ponzinibbio fell in the direction of the canvas, prompting the referee to intervene at 3:06.
The outcome returned Patterson to profitable type following his determination defeat in opposition to Michael Web page. It additionally continued his fame as a finisher, with every of his newest 5 victories coming by knockout or submission.
For Ponzinibbio, the defeat raised additional questions on how for much longer he can stay aggressive in opposition to youthful welterweights. His expertise stays helpful, however Patterson’s pace, dimension and energy ultimately proved decisive.
Saidov impresses on his UFC debut
Muhammad Saidov produced one of many occasion’s most full performances in opposition to Dustin Jacoby.
Dealing with a longtime kickboxer in his UFC debut represented a substantial problem. Saidov responded by controlling the vary, matching Jacoby within the placing exchanges and steadily growing the stress.
Late within the second spherical, Saidov landed a head kick that visibly surprised Jacoby. He adopted it with a speedy collection of punches, forcing the stoppage with 11 seconds remaining within the spherical.
The victory prolonged Saidov’s skilled report to 10-0 and ended Jacoby’s three-fight profitable run.
Saidov will face tougher assessments as he progresses, however beating an opponent with Jacoby’s expertise gave him an instantaneous platform within the light-heavyweight division.
Walker extends his outstanding submission run
Valter Walker wanted solely 92 seconds to submit Thomas Petersen with a calf slicer.
Petersen secured an early takedown, however the determination positioned him instantly into Walker’s most harmful space. Walker instantly attacked the leg, moved from an preliminary heel-hook try and secured the calf slicer.
Petersen tapped rapidly as soon as Walker accomplished the place.
The victory gave Walker a fifth consecutive first-round submission and prolonged the longest energetic profitable run within the UFC heavyweight division to 5 fights. His earlier 4 wins had all come by heel hooks.
Heavyweights hardly ever possess Walker’s willingness to assault leg submissions. That uncommon ability set makes him a troublesome matchup, though stronger wrestlers might turn out to be extra cautious about following him to the bottom.
Zaynukov and Kuniev strengthen their positions
Magomed Zaynukov maintained his unbeaten report with a unanimous determination over Damian Rzepecki.
All three judges scored the light-weight contest 30-27. Zaynukov managed the motion throughout the three rounds with out discovering a end, finishing a composed UFC debut.
Rizvan Kuniev secured a extra decisive outcome in opposition to Tyrell Fortune.
Kuniev stopped the previous Bellator heavyweight within the third spherical after steadily sporting him down. The end arrived at 1:12 and gave Kuniev one other necessary victory as he makes an attempt to maneuver in the direction of ranked opposition.
Abubakar Vagaev additionally started his UFC profession with a win, incomes three scores of 29-28 in opposition to Saygid Izagakhmaev.
What comes subsequent for Ankalaev?
Ankalaev achieved the important a part of his task. He prevented a harmful upset, returned to the win column and confirmed he may management a harmful finisher.
Nevertheless, the style of victory issues on the high of a crowded division.
The primary three rounds lacked tempo, combos and real makes an attempt to complete. Ankalaev appeared snug all through, however consolation alone might not earn him an instantaneous championship alternative.
His clearest route ahead would contain one other main contender. A victory over a longtime identify would carry extra weight than beating an opponent who accepted the battle with restricted preparation.
Guskov deserves credit score for protecting the principle occasion alive after Rountree’s withdrawal. Nonetheless, he struggled to adapt as soon as Ankalaev took away his knockout alternatives.
The short-notice circumstances present some mitigation, however Guskov might want to present higher urgency in his subsequent look.
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Remaining verdict
UFC Abu Dhabi produced a combined night time at Etihad Area.
The principle occasion delivered a transparent winner however little drama till Ankalaev moved the battle to the bottom. He managed Guskov, secured the stoppage and started rebuilding after shedding his championship.
Temirov left a stronger quick impression.
His first-round victory over Erceg mixed stress, pace and clear ending. Patterson and Saidov additionally strengthened their positions with convincing stoppages, whereas Walker continued one of many UFC’s most uncommon profitable streaks.
The cardboard didn’t attain the relentless tempo of the latest UFC Freedom 250 occasion, which produced seven finishes from seven contests. Nevertheless, Abu Dhabi nonetheless delivered a number of performances with real divisional significance.
Ankalaev received the headline contest.
Temirov produced the efficiency individuals will keep in mind.
