UFC Fight Island 8 continued the series of Absolute Fighting Championship tournaments in Abu Dhabi. Initially, the main fight of the evening was to be played by rising MMA star Khamzat Chimaev and flamboyant welterweight Leon Edwards, but the fight was postponed for the second time.
As in the first case, the reason was the coronavirus, which did not allow the Chechen fighter to get fit.
The attention of domestic fans was focused on the performance of the Russians.
In the preliminary card, Khabib Nurmagomedov's cousin made his debut, and mainly Omari Akhmedov fought.
In organizing his first fight under the auspices of the UFC, Umar faced serious problems.
In general, the debut was postponed three times - in April, a pandemic prevented, in July - the death of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and in October - a stophylococcal infection.
During this time, three opponents also changed.
First, the Russian had to fight the American Hunter Azur, then the Briton Nathaniel Wood, but eventually met with the Kazakhstani Sergey Morozov.
It is noteworthy that at one time they trained together, and therefore know each other very well.
Nevertheless, the fight was more or less equal only in the first minute and a half.
Morozov did not hesitate to go forward and several times dangerously threw the right overhand, but this was where his successes ended.
For the rest of the fight, he only tried to survive in the battle with Nurmagomedov.
Umar dominated the stance, actively using his skills in both boxing and kickboxing, and regularly tested his opponent in wrestling.
Already in the first round, he spent two takedowns, both times easily making his way behind his back, but could not build on his success.
The second five-minute session began with an unexpected high-kick performed by Nurmagomedov, who almost sent Morozov to the canvas.
He staggered, but still held out, however, after a second he missed another pass to his feet.
It seemed that the Kazakhstani would not be able to survive the finishing move, but he again demonstrated his fighting qualities.
However, Umar did not loosen his grip and alternated, if not the most sweeping, but whipping kicks with takedown attempts.
As a result, he twice made his way to the backmount (dominant position behind in the stalls), after which he strangled his counterpart.
Sergei fought to the end and did not knock, eventually losing consciousness.
Umar Nurmagomedov made his UFC debut with victory and extended his unbeaten streak to 13 fights.
At the same time, he dedicated his success to his brother Khabib, recalling that exactly nine years ago he had his first fight in the largest MMA promotion in the world.
Then the reigning lightweight champion took over Kamal Shalorus, using the same rear naked choke.
With the difference that it took him not two rounds, but three.
"Happy.
I feel good.
Nine years ago, this guy entered this ring and finished his debut fight in the same way.
I am very glad that I was able to repeat it, ”said Nurmagomedov Jr.
It is noteworthy that in addition to Umar Nurmagomedov, another relative of the current champion of the organization made his debut at UFC Fight Island 8.
After about half an hour, the younger brother of the flyweight belt holder of Daveson Figueredo, Francisco, entered the octagon.
Unlike the Russian, he did not perform so brightly, although he managed to achieve success in the battle with Jerome Rivera.
The battle lasted all three rounds, and its outcome was decided by the successful work of the Brazilian in clinching and wrestling.
Figueredo had a total of four takedowns and controlled Rivera for over seven minutes.
At the same time, in the stand, he made a much less pleasant impression and even lost in the number of significant blows - 29:31.
However, even this did not prevent Francisco from being ahead of the judges' cards and winning the 12th time in his career.
Zarukh Adashev suffered the second defeat in a row.
In June, the Uzbek lost by knockout to Tyson Nam already at the 32nd second, but this time he could not cope with Su Mudaerji.
Throughout all 15 minutes, the Chinese controlled the course of the battle, and in the second round he almost knocked out his counterpart.
The oncoming left side could become fatal, but the enemy resisted.
Strongly superior to his opponent in anthropometry, Mudaerji controlled the distance well and almost doubled Adashev in the number of significant hits (50:28).
The judges unanimously gave him the victory, which extended his successful streak to three fights.
It is possible that this very success will allow him to break into the top 15 flyweight.
Also, the preliminary card was remembered by the early victories of Manon Firot and Ricky Simon, and the main one began with a duel with the participation of another domestic fighter.
Omari Akhmedov dealt with Tom Breeze and rehabilitated for the first defeat in the middleweight division.
In August, the Russian failed to cope with former division champion Chris Weidman, which ended his unbeaten streak of six fights.
This time Akhmedov clearly demonstrated his advantage in wrestling skills and grappling.
Remarkably, he did it in a duel with the holder of a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In the first round, he easily moved Breeze to the floor and applied ground and pound, pounding him on the ground for 4 minutes 34 seconds.
In the end, the Russian got a little tired and eased the pressure, which the Briton took advantage of.
He was able to revenge and almost caught the Russian choke from behind.
And in the second, Akhmedov recalled that it was not for nothing that he won almost a third of his fights by submission.
Breeze personally initiated the transition to the canvas, but very quickly allowed the opponent to be in side control.
Omari took full advantage of this chance and drew a hand triangle.
Tom desperately resisted and spent more than 20 seconds in the grip, but in the end he knocked.
The 13th number of the rating won the fourth victory in the middle weight and at least retained his place in the list of the strongest fighters of the division.
After the end of the duel, he thanked the coaches for their excellent preparation and admitted that he was going to win with this particular technique.
“I had a good camp.
I was ready to fight five rounds at this pace, so I started aggressively.
I hit him a couple of times, it seemed to me that he swam below.
I thought to finish it off, but could not.
He turned out to be dodgy ... My coach and I practiced this technique, probably, 100 times. He said that I should strangle him like that, ”concluded Akhmedov.
Also, the main program of UFC Fight Island 8 was remembered for the spectacular victories of Isaac Villanueva and Worli Alves.
The American sent Vinicius Moreira to the floor with a powerful right overhand, and the Brazilian dealt with Munir Lazzzez.
The welterweight who had not played for more than a year only took 155 seconds to get a knockout and win the eighth fight in the championship.
Three consecutive middle kicks (kicks to the body) became decisive, after which the native of Tunisia was unable to continue his performance.
The main fight of the evening, although it did not turn out to be purely one-sided, was generally dictated by one of the rivals.
Michael Chiesa used his skill in wrestling and grappling to the maximum, for a total of more than 15 minutes being in a dominant position in the clinch or parterre, and even serious problems with cardio could not prevent him.
Starting from the third round, Maverick became noticeably addicted, but still continued to work as the first number.
Neil Magney, on the other hand, had one of the least impressive fights in his career and deservedly lost on the cards of all three judges - 46:49.