Main Event Delivers Knockout Finish
The main card in Baku concluded with Rafael Fiziev securing a second-round knockout victory over Manuel Torres. The lightweight contest saw both fighters engage in a dynamic first round, with Fiziev utilizing low kicks and Torres landing a jab. As the second round commenced, Fiziev initiated a spinning wheel kick that disoriented Torres, leading to a flurry of strikes that prompted the referee to stop the fight at 0:15 of the round. This marked Fiziev’s second win in Baku, rebounding from a previous loss earlier in the year.
Fiziev, a 33-year-old contender with Azerbaijani roots, expressed that he experienced double vision from punches landed by Torres in the first round before the fight-ending sequence. He stated that he could not see anything in his left eye but proceeded with the spinning back kick. The victory was an emotional homecoming for Fiziev, who has now achieved a 2-0 record when fighting on home soil.
Co-Main Event and Other Key Bouts
In the co-main event, Shara Magomedov defeated Michel Pereira by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28 in Magomedov’s favor. The middleweight bout began with an intense exchange, as Pereira landed a significant right hand that put Magomedov in trouble early in the first round. Pereira followed up with ground-and-pound punches before the referee intervened to warn Magomedov about pulling hair. Despite the early setback, Magomedov rallied in the subsequent rounds, becoming more active and landing kicks, while Pereira’s output decreased. Magomedov secured the final two frames on all three scorecards, marking consecutive victories and wins in six of his seven UFC appearances.
Earlier on the main card, Matheus Camilo delivered a TKO victory over local favorite Nazim Sadykhov at 1:31 of the first round. Camilo silenced the crowd at the National Gymnastics Arena with a swift right hand that dropped Sadykhov, followed by hammerfists that led to the stoppage. The two fighters had previously trained together. This explosive performance by Camilo, who is 25 years old and represents Xtreme Couture, brings his overall record to 11-3 with seven wins inside the distance. This result was seen as a significant upset.
Another notable main card bout saw Asu Almabayev defeat Charles Johnson via submission. Almabayev executed a Suloev stretch at 3:33 of the third round to secure the win. The Kazakh contender maintained control throughout the fight, demonstrating superiority in both striking and grappling exchanges. Johnson managed to minimize damage and return to his feet multiple times, but Almabayev consistently prevented him from mounting any significant offense. In the third round, Almabayev secured Johnson’s left leg and extended it, forcing the tap from the unconventional submission.
Additional Main Card Results
The main card also featured other compelling matchups. In a middleweight contest, Ikram Aliskerov secured a unanimous decision victory over Brunno Ferreira, with all three judges scoring the bout 30-27. Another middleweight fight saw Abusupiyan Magomedov defeat Michał Oleksiejczuk via submission, utilizing a guillotine choke at 3:29 of the first round. These bouts contributed to the overall excitement of the event at the National Gymnastics Arena.
The preliminary card also featured several finishes, setting the stage for the main card action. Three of the first five preliminary bouts concluded inside the distance, including Asu Almabayev’s Suloev stretch and Matheus Camilo’s TKO. The event showcased a range of fighting styles and outcomes for the local audience and combat sports enthusiasts.
Read Also
Source: ufc.com
