UFC Abu Dhabi has come and gone with Magomed Ankalaev successful by fifth spherical TKO in the primary occasion. The cardboard featured eight finishes, the ultra-rare calf slicer, and a 5-0 evening for debuting fighters. Let’s take a look at who every winner from Saturday ought to battle subsequent.
Matchmaking: Primary Card
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov
Whereas it could not have been the back-and-forth warfare that followers anticipated, Magomed Ankalaev did what he needed to do, dominating Bogdan Guskov en path to a fifth-round TKO. After dropping his title to Alex Pereira in his final battle, Ankalaev has put himself in prime place to battle for the belt once more, with a brand new champion now on the throne on the subject of matchmaking.
The biggest question is the health of Carlos Ulberg. If the UFC waits for Ulberg to get well from the torn ACL he suffered in April, Ankalaev ought to completely be prepared to attend for one more title shot. Nevertheless, if the UFC decides to guide an interim mild heavyweight title battle, Ankalaev ought to lastly discover himself throughout the cage from Jiri Prochazka. I are inclined to imagine there can be an interim champion at 205 kilos with Ulberg’s return timeline nonetheless unclear, so let’s see what Ankalaev can do in opposition to Prochazka.
Subsequent Battle: Jiri Prochazka
Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov
After lacking a 12 months of motion following a steroid suspension, Ramazan Temirov delivered the very best efficiency of his profession on Saturday, knocking out former title challenger Steve Erceg. Temirov is now 3-0 within the UFC with a top-10 win to his title and an extremely various talent set to again it up.
Whereas he’s nonetheless a number of wins away from really getting into the title image, he definitely deserves to battle up within the rankings when it comes to matchmaking. Amir Albazi suits that position completely.
Subsequent Battle: Amir Albazi
Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki
“Wild Chanko” backed up all of the hype in his UFC debut, placing on a putting clinic in opposition to fellow debutant Damian Rzepecki. It’s clear from each his look on Dana White’s Contender Collection and his UFC debut that Zaynukov goes to be an issue for lots of people at 155 kilos.
There’s no have to rush him into the rankings simply but, although with troublesome matchmaking. Let’s see what Zaynukov can do in opposition to a confirmed veteran like Jared Gordon.
Subsequent Battle: Jared Gordon
Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune
Rizvan Kuniev placed on his most full efficiency so far since becoming a member of the UFC, dominating Tyrell Fortune en path to a third-round TKO. Kuniev ought to transfer up from No. 8 within the rankings on Tuesday, and he deserves to face somebody ranked above him when matchmaking his subsequent battle.
Sergei Pavlovich at present sits at No. 3, and regardless of coming off a win, he’ll probably want not less than yet one more victory earlier than incomes one other title shot. Let’s see a battle of Russians between Kuniev and Pavlovich.
Subsequent Battle: Sergei Pavlovich
Abubakar Vagaev vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev
Abubakar Vagaev picked up a win in his UFC debut, incomes a 29-28 unanimous resolution over Saygid Izagakhmaev. Vagaev clearly has loads of potential, however his putting and cardio are nonetheless areas that want enchancment.
Sadly for Vagaev, time isn’t on his aspect after arriving from ACA at age 33. Let’s see how he fares in opposition to a primarily striking-based opponent in a step up in competitors in opposition to Nikolay Veretennikov.
Subsequent Battle: Nikolay Veretennikov
Matchmaking: Prelims
Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen
One other battle, one other leg lock for Valter Walker—this time by calf slicer. There’s a transparent threshold the place Walker merely has a large grappling and submission benefit over his opponents at heavyweight.
Walker is at present ranked No. 13, and it’s time for him to obtain a more durable problem in opposition to one other ranked heavyweight in matchmaking. Let’s see how he fares in opposition to Tyrell Fortune, who’s coming off a loss to Rizvan Kuniev.
Subsequent Battle: Tyrell Fortune
Dustin Jacoby vs. Muhammad Stated
Muhammad Stated had an unimaginable UFC debut, scoring a large upset over 20-fight UFC veteran Dustin Jacoby by ending him with a head kick.
Jacoby was simply exterior the rankings himself, and with mild heavyweight being a comparatively skinny division, Stated may already be prepared for a ranked opponent. Alonzo Menifield has lengthy served because the division’s gatekeeper into the rankings when fascinated by matchmaking.
Subsequent Battle: Alonzo Menifield
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sam Patterson
Sam Patterson obtained again within the win column on Saturday, incomes a knockout victory over veteran Santiago Ponzinibbio. Patterson is now 5-1 since transferring as much as welterweight, together with his lone loss coming in opposition to Michael Page.
He’s on the verge of ranked competitors when matchmaking. Let’s see if he can beat one other fighter simply exterior the highest 15 in Jake Matthews.
Subsequent Battle: Jake Matthews
Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sola
Axel Sola placed on a clinic in opposition to Ismael Bonfim, outstriking his opponent 77-1 within the opening spherical earlier than closing the present with a D’Arce choke. Sola is now 2-1 within the UFC, not often goes the gap, and is simply getting into his prime at 28 years previous.
On the opposite aspect, Nazim Sadykhov was as soon as on the verge of the rankings however has dropped his final two fights. Sola and Sadykhov would virtually definitely produce fireworks.
Subsequent Battle: Nazim Sadykhov
Magomed Tuchalov vs. Brendson Ribeiro
After a gradual begin, Magomed Tuchalov did what he needed to do to earn a 29-28 unanimous resolution over Brendson Ribeiro. At 7-0 as knowledgeable and solely 26 years previous, Tuchalov clearly has expertise, however his total talent set continues to be pretty uncooked.
The UFC will probably give him one other lower-level mild heavyweight subsequent. Kevin Christian continues to be looking for his first UFC victory, making this a logical matchup.
Subsequent Battle: Kevin Christian
Nurullo Aliev vs. Mike Davis
Whereas Mike Davis definitely didn’t approve, Nurullo Aliev earned a dominant 30-27 unanimous resolution on Saturday behind 12:25 of management time. Whereas he doesn’t have a excessive ending fee, Aliev is now 12-0 as knowledgeable and 4-0 within the UFC, making him a troublesome matchup for anybody at light-weight.
He’s most likely nonetheless one battle away from incomes a ranked opponent, so why not match him up with confirmed veteran Alexander Hernandez?
Subsequent Battle: Alexander Hernandez
Cody Gibson vs. Omar Hussein
Omar Hussein dominated Cody Gibson in his UFC debut, controlling each facet of the battle earlier than securing a third-round arm-triangle choke.
Courting again to his pre-UFC profession, Hussein has now completed 9 consecutive opponents and boasts an unimaginable 94% ending fee. A matchup with one other action-oriented finisher may simply produce a Battle of the Evening contender. Timmy Cuamba would virtually definitely embrace a kill-or-be-killed battle in opposition to Omar Hussein.
Subsequent Battle: Timmy Cuamba
