UFC Abu Dhabi ‘Ankalaev vs. Guskov’ play-by-play, results & round scoring

Magomed Ankalaev (205.5) vs. Bogdan Guskov (205.5)Steve Erceg (126) vs. Ramazonbek Temirov (126)Islam Dulatov (171) vs. Wellington Turman (170)Magomed Zaynukov (155.5) vs. Damian Rzepecki (155.5)Rizvan Kuniev (265.5) vs. Tyrell Fortune (258)Abubakar Vagaev (171) vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev (171)Valter Walker (248) vs. Thomas Petersen (245)Dustin Jacoby (205) vs. Muhammad Said (206)Santiago Ponzinibbio (171) vs. Sam Patterson (170.5)Ismael Bonfim (155.5) vs. Axel Sola (155.5)Magomed Tuchalov (205.5) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (206)Nurullo Aliev (156) vs. Mike Davis (156)Cody Gibson (136) vs. Abdul Hussein (135.5) Sherdog's live UFC Abu Dhabi coverage will begin Saturday at 9 a.m. ET/6 a.m. PT. The event is also known as UFC Fight Night 281.

Cody Gibson (136) vs. Abdul Hussein (135.5)Round 1 Good morning, Vietnam Abu Dhabi! Hey, this is not a test. This is rock and roll. Time to rock it from the Nile delta to the UAE. Is that me, or does that sound like an Elvis Presley movie? Viva Yas Island. Yas Island me, Yas Island me, why don’t they get a…anyway, it’s time for the breakfast of champions: fist fighting in the early morn. The show opens with a bantamweight battle that may make referee Mike Beltran relieved as it might end in the blink of an eye. Gibson (21-12, 3-7 UFC) has his back against the wall in his second UFC stint, while Hussein (15-2, 0-0 UFC) is going to try his utmost to make a good first impression. Solid sportsmanship from the two is on display as the athletes gladly touch ‘em up to begin our day.

Hussein, the shorter man, comes out of his corner reaching out his jab. Gibson swats him back with hooks that are out of range but threatening. Gibson comes up with a front kick up close that sounds like it hits the cup, but Hussein does not flinch and keeps going after his opponent. Gibson backs him up with a right hand, and he follows with a one-two to draw out a reaction. Hussein attacks, and Gibson shoots for a double-leg entry and plants the debuting fighter on his back. Gibson, in the scramble, snatches up a guillotine choke and uses it to roll to full mount. Gibson transitions to an anaconda choke when Hussein fights the grip, and he chains that into a ninja choke. Hussein is cool as a cucumber through the entire exchange, surviving the chokes while never panicking. This allows him to slither out of danger and end up in north-south position on top. Gibson twists to reach his own knees, not interested in sticking around on his back, and Hussein holds on from the back of his opponent’s neck.

Gibson grips hold of a leglock, using the surprising submission attempt to force his way back to his feet, where he presses Hussein to the wall and knees him in the stomach a few times. Hussein turns and breaks off, taking a low kick on the way out. Hussein tries to crowd the veteran, but Gibson is wily and offers faked takedown shots and sneaky elbows over the top. Gibson clips Hussein as they dirty box with one another, and Hussein gives him some payback with a crisp uppercut on the jaw. Hussein puts on the pressure, and the two bang heads together a couple times like dueling bulls. Gibson rips the body a few times and gets Hussein’s attention upstairs, only for Hussein to grab his right hand and tag him with his free right. Gibson breaks off and resets, hopping on his heels a couple times, and Hussein grabs him from the scruff of the neck and knees him in the forehead. He does so a few more times, as Gibson appears to already be fading. Hussein pressures him with a few more elbows before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gibson

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gibson

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Gibson

Round 2 Gibson reintroduces himself with a few low kicks to start off the round, but his guard is low and he leaves himself wide open. As it turns out, Hussein sees this too, and blasts him in the face with a right hand. Gibson topples to his back, and Hussein looks to pound him out. When Gibson sits up to force a takedown shot, Hussein snags hold of a guillotine choke to give Gibson a taste of his own medicine and roll into a three-quarter mount position. Gibson is wise to it enough to defend the guard pass to full mount, and he keeps the Finnish athlete on his side. Gibson turns towards his adversary to defend against ground strikes, not sticking to one place so that he is vulnerable to more offense. He pushes Hussein off with his feet, only for Hussein to drop down and bash him in the face with a standing-to-ground punch. Hussein grabs a front choke, and he transitions it to a brabo choke with Gibson on his back, toes in the fence for the American the whole while.

Hussein sits down on the choke to squeeze with all he has, but Gibson is a tough egg and frantically twists to break free of the submission. With the gilly, Hussein relocates himself to mount, and Gibson times his escape. This allows Hussein to grip another brabo choke, and this is tighter. Gibson manages to tough this one out as well, but he appears to be flagging in a big way. Gibson drags his man back to half guard, but Hussein does not mind as he postures up and slugs the Californian in the chops a few times. Gibson’s sweep efforts are in vain for anything more than moving Hussein to his guard, and he grabs the back of Hussein’s neck to nullify him until time expires.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hussein

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Hussein

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Hussein

Round 3 Gibson informs his corner that he is spent, but they motivate him to go out for the third frame and give it all he has. Hussein senses that Gibson is on the way out and immediately goes after him. Hussein initiates the clinch to nail the California native with knees, and Gibson rattles off a clean dozen body shots before getting one off. As Hussein backs Gibson to the fence and pays him back with interest in the form of punches to the head and midsection, Gibson kicks his foot out and trips the newcomer up. Gibson tries to use the surprise move to snatch up a desperate submission and Hussein rolls through it and pushes Gibson over to grind him out. Hussein drops down left hands when he can offer them, and Gibson is solely focused on finding any sub that he can muster. Hussein glides through them, sprawling and shifting to keep Gibson grounded.

With Gibson on his knees, Hussein stands up and knees him in the ribs. Gibson grimaces but uses the moment to explode to his feet. The Finnish fighter hits a trip and puts Gibson back down, where he wants to finish the job now. Rather than beat on Gibson to wear him down, he sees that Gibson’s energy bar nears zero and positions himself into half guard to initiate an arm-triangle choke. Pressing his body weight down with his right shoulder trapping Gibson’s arm above his head, Gibson is in big trouble. Knowing that it is either a tap or the smelling salts, Gibson surrenders. Hussein dismounts his defeated opponent and appears more relieved than anything, as he picks up his 10th career submission while improving his finish streak to nine straight.

The Official Result Abdul Hussein def. Cody Gibson R3 3:07 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) Nurullo Aliev (156) vs. Mike Davis (156)Round 1 Hey, is it a little too early for being that loud? Hey, too late. Lightweights are on stage next, and it could be a good one as unbeaten Aliev (11-0, 3-0 UFC) comes to blows with Davis (12-3, 5-2 UFC). Drastically different methods of victory will clash, given that the Tajikistan native tends to need all three rounds to get the job done, while “Beast Boy” can—and has on numerous occasions—put down a foe in under three minutes. Referee Jim Perdios will officiate this early preliminary matchup, one that begins with a glove touch.

Davis comes right towards the man from Tajikistan, who counters with a single-leg shot that pushes Davis to his knee at the other end of the cage. Davis leans against the fence to walk back to his feet, and Aliev trips him up immediately to put him on his back. Davis sits up through sheer force of will and some slick butterfly hooks, drawing into a standing clinch where he bops “Tajik Eagle” with a few shoulder strikes. Aliev prefers to maintain position rather than do damage, and he explodes into a trip attempt and chains that to a double. The double succeeds, and Davis hits his seat for but a moment. Davis sits up on his knees, with Aliev on him like a cheap penny, a bad suit, you name it. Aliev thumps Davis in the thigh and posterior a few times with high-amplitude knees, and the paint continues to dry.

Aliev controls Davis and briefly puts him on his back again, but Davis is springy and fights back to his feet again with Aliev on him the whole time. Davis rolls to escape, and Aliev snatches up a single at the tail end to trip him again. Davis hits his back and has to establish his guard, where he slashes up with elbows. Aliev is a dog with a bone going after the low ankle pick, and Davis feasts on this with several concussive elbows to the side of the dome. As Aliev appears stunned, Davis rolls all the way around to nearly take the back. Just at the final moment, Aliev twists at the right time to put Davis on his back. Davis employs a high guard to tie up Aliev with a triangle choke, using it to elbow Aliev a few times and otherwise trap “Tajik Eagle” in a cage of legs. Davis re-fastens his leg grip and squeezes, but the round ends before he can get anything out of it.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Davis

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Davis

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Davis

Round 2 A high-five starts off things in the second round, and this time, Aliev wants to test himself on the feet…or at least, he presents with that strategy. After they trade hands for a few seconds, Aliev shoots in for a double, and Davis reverses the position, scrambles to throw his legs up, wraps those legs around Aliev’s head and gets turned to his back. Davis tries to complete the triangle choke, but Aliev keeps pushing and escapes the sub to wind up on top. Aliev smothers his adversary and offers up a few left hands when not fighting the hands. Davis tries for another high guard for control purposes, and Aliev scoots him to the fence to change the leverage and disallow that type of sub. Davis thanks him for this by sitting up to put his back to the fence, which also protects him from chokes from behind. Davis posts off his hands to get to his knees, and Aliev is behind him kneeing him in the backside. Aliev connects with a number of left hands, and picks up the pace when he starts to have success. Perdios orders Davis to fight back, and Davis responds by rolling over to not only push off but stand back to his feet.

Davis, seeing that Aliev might be slowing—operative word “might”—goes after him with a barrage of punches. Aliev fires back, gets caught with an uppercut sand and shoots through it for a single. Davis gets dragged to his back again, but he does not stick around there for long as he repositions himself against the fence. Aliev knees him in the buttocks a few times and one or two land on the spine, which is illegal but completely ignored by Perdios. Davis also ignores these feeble strikes to explode back to his feet, but he cannot get Aliev off of him. Aliev has him wrapped up against the cage, and he lets it go to punch. What he fails to realize is that Davis wants this, and Davis pegs him with a speedy salvo right before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aliev

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Aliev

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Aliev

Round 3 Davis offers up a glove touch, and this leads to a tender embrace in the midst of a wrestling match with a little punching involved. Davis, on the feet, does what he can to stave off Aliev. Aliev wants to close the distance with his right hand and shoot directly after it, and he ducks under a punch from “Beast Boy” to pursue and complete a low single. Davis has no defense for this takedown, and when on his back, pushes off Aliev’s face as a thumb slides ever-so-slightly into the eye socket. Perdios does see this and tells Davis to watch it. It is Davis who is active off his back, with short elbows, hammerfists and anything he can offer until he manages to sweep his man. Aliev allows him back on his feet for mere seconds before hitting a double to put him back down in an ultimate morale crusher.

Aliev embraces the grind with Davis’ neck pressed against the fencing, glomming on top of his adversary while grabbing the fence to maintain his position. Perdios slaps his hand out of the links, and the Tajik releases them. Davis gets to one knee and takes a few more knees to the hindquarters, while he elbows behind himself hoping something may slash open a cut. Aliev will not let Davis go in these exchanges, keeping his hands clasped or always working on some sort of takedown. Davis tries to sneak out, and he uses a knee to push Aliev off of him with 30 seconds to spare. Aliev is desperate to get the fight down, and Davis bowls him over and lands on top. Aliev shells up and keeps hold of both of Davis’ wrists, and Davis complains of this. Out of nowhere, Aliev explodes into an armbar and flips Davis over, straightening the arm out the second that time expires. A few more seconds, and he would have had that. Thus ends a fairly ho-hum matchup involving Aliev, who has gone the distance in every one of his UFC fights.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aliev (29-28 Aliev)

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Aliev (29-28 Aliev)

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Aliev (29-28 Aliev)

The Official Result Nurullo Aliev def. Mike Davis via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Magomed Tuchalov (205.5) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (206)Round 1 Of their combined 22 wins, Ribeiro (17-10, 1 NC; 2-5 UFC) and Tuchalov (5-0, 0-0 UFC) have required the services of the judges’ final tallies just one time—and it was Ribeiro in his first UFC win. Referee Dan Movahedi will be on his best behavior watching out for the mayhem that is about to unfold between these two action-packed 205ers. They do not tap gloves together before coming out to fight.

It is not the immediate blitz as some expect, as the two light heavyweights would prefer to measure one another with single distance-seekers like front kicks and jabs. It is a stalemate for the first minute, neither man willing to commit. Tuchalov strafes at the outer edge of the cage with Ribeiro walking him down, and Tuchalov gets off a couple low calf kicks. Ribeiro strides into the pocket behind three punches, and he backs off to kick the lead leg. Tuchalov intercepts the advancing Brazilian with a kick to the ribcage, and they go back to shadowboxing. Tuchalov fakes a takedown, and Ribeiro’s reaction is exaggerated. Ribeiro steps in behind a right hand, and the thud it makes echoes in the Etihad Arena.

Tuchalov chips at the front leg, and Ribeiro lifts it to prevent it. Ribeiro strides towards his foe, looping a big right hand that just misses. He does land a calf kick, and then another, during a lull. Tuchalov’s only offense nearly four minutes in is basically a handful of low kicks, and he is warned for outstretched fingers. Ribeiro reaches him at the end of a one-two, backing him way up. A second looping right after it slides past his foe, with Tuchalov moving and shifting but not throwing anything of note. Tuchalov lets go with a big right hand, and brimming with confidence, he leaps at Ribeiro with a knee and gets blasted with a right on the way down. Tuchalov falls to the ground, a cut under his eye, and he explodes back to his feet the survive to the bell.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ribeiro

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ribeiro

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Ribeiro

Round 2 It takes 15 seconds for a fighter to throw a strike in the second round, with Ribeiro offering up a calf kick. Tuchalov responds with one, and it takes him 30 more seconds to put together a one-two. Low kicks from both sides are dangled out, and after more inactivity, Tuchalov rushes forward to strike. Tuchalov is warned for outstretched fingers again, and he ducks a punch to fires off a big right hand of his own. Ribeiro no-sells it, and they jab at one another for a while.

Tuchalov finally loads up and releases a big right hand, nailing the Brazilian on the temple and messing him up badly. Ribeiro has no poker face and stumbles back, and Tuchalov races after him to not pound on him but instead throw him to the ground. Ribeiro fights back to his feet without taking much damage, and Tuchalov scrapes his thumb across his foe’s eye socket on the way out. Movahedi calls time and fusses at him for a spell, and they resume after about a minute. Ribeiro appears to have recovered, and he marches down the Russian with his jab outstretched. Tuchalov strings a two behind a jab to get Ribeiro’s attention again, and he leaps for another knee and comes up short. Ribeiro tries to back him off with punches, tape on his right glove flapping in the wind, and he gets caught with a right hand and dumped to his back with a double. Ribeiro lays on his back with his hands behind his head, and the tepid round ends.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tuchalov

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tuchalov

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Tuchalov

Round 3 Ribeiro appears to want a glove touch, but the Russian is not interested. Ribeiro leads off the round with jabs to the body, parrying the responsive jabs. Ribeiro gets caught with an overhand right, and he reels, but he is able to recover and stands in front of the unbeaten fighter. Ribeiro spurs into action with four or five punches, and he is met with a tackling double as Tuchalov plants him firmly on his back. On his back, Ribeiro hacks with elbows, but they hit the back of the head. Tuchalov lords over Ribeiro kicking him in the legs, until Movahedi allows Ribeiro to stand back up. Ribeiro thanks him for this by shooting his own takedown in the Russian, and Tuchalov turns it against him and hurls “The Gorilla” to the floor. Ribeiro scrambles and gives up his back to stand, and Tuchalov hangs on from behind and wrenches him to his knees. Ribeiro tries to defend with a kimura to sweep, but Tuchalov is not having it.

Tuchalov realizes that with this approach, he does not have to get punched in the face anymore. He wrangles Ribeiro to the mat again, shrugging off a kimura so that he can position himself in side control. Ribeiro turns over to his knees, and he still has the unbeaten fighter draped across his back like a malicious cloak probably weighing around 230 pounds. Ribeiro sells out for a desperate leglock, and Tuchalov punches him a few times to break it up. Tuchalov fastens an arm-triangle choke and jumps to the side with 10 seconds left, and Ribeiro stops it and catches Tuchalov with an elbow right before the disappointing display of light heayvweights comes to an end.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tuchalov (29-28 Tuchalov)

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Tuchalov (29-28 Tuchalov)

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Tuchalov (29-28 Tuchalov)

The Official Result Magomed Tuchalov def. Brendson Ribeiro via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Ismael Bonfim (155.5) vs. Axel Sola (155.5)Round 1 Oh, how the turn tables. Bonfim (20-6, 2-3 UFC) and his brother were the talk of the town off of their shared episode of DWCS in 2022. Now, this Bonfim has dropped three of four, all by stoppage, and Boxing Squad’s Sola (11-1-1, 1-1 UFC) is up next to see if he can rearrange the Brazilian’s face. Referee Marc Goddard clocks in the lightweights as they share a swift clap of hands.

Sola is quick to get behind a jab, claiming the center of the cage and pushing forward. The smaller Bonfim kicks him in the knee, and Sola responds with a body kick that lands with an audible thud. Bonfim reaches with a left hand and is just out of range, and he catches a body kick and throws the Frenchman to his seat against the fence. Sola wall-walks, and Bonfim is all-in for a single. Sola elbows him in the side of the head while defending the takedown and keeping his balance, and he starts to put some mustard into the elbows. A number land at the top of the head on the mohawk line, and Goddard shouts him down to knock it off. Goddard asks for more activity from Bonfim, as Sola is the only one doing something as he pounds on the Brazilian. Bonfim stays in on the single, and Sola hammerfists away. His efforts have cut Bonfim, whose face starts leaking on the mat.

As Sola keeps driving home his elbow on the temple, Bonfim’s will fades and he slumps over. Sola uses this to drop down and fasten an anaconda choke, keeping Bonfim down to bash him with right hands when the choke dissipates. Bonfim sways and stays desperately pursuing that single, and Sola strikes him in the back of the head a few times. Bonfim rolls over to his back and takes a few elbows to set up an armbar. Sola punches his way through it, and he threatens with a brabo choke as Bonfim rolls to his side. This is the worst place for the Brazilian, as Sola turns along with him to completely lock this choke down. Sola’s arm beneath the chin, hooking it beneath the far-side armpit, allows him to exert heavy shoulder pressure to force Bonfim to surrender. Bonfim taps, Sola releases the grip, and Bonfim looks genuinely surprised that he was snared in this type of submission? Meanwhile, Sola, who earned just his second submission as a pro, looks as if he knew he was going to pull that off the whole time.

The Official Result Axel Sola def. Ismael Bonfim R1 4:44 via Submission (Brabo Choke) Santiago Ponzinibbio (171) vs. Sam Patterson (170.5)Round 1 Is a torch about to pass today? Nine years the elder, Ponzinibbio (30-9, 12-8 UFC) will turn 40 in two months and has sorely struggled the last couple years. Patterson’s (14-3-1, 4-2 UFC) own run has yet to turn a corner, but it could start should he get past the man known as “Argentine Dagger.” At welterweight, contenders are a premium so a long win streak is all-but necessary. That path starts here. They do not touch gloves. The referee is Mike Beltran.

The shorter Ponzinibbio takes to the center of the cage but neither man engages with anything of merit in the first 40 seconds. Ponzinibbio charges suddenly, catching the Brit with a huge right hand and rocking “The Future.” Patterson leans back and shakes off the cobwebs, getting tagged twice on his way out. Ponzinibbio allows him to reset so he can find another way in without getting jabbed or nailed, and Patterson shoulder-rolls the worst of what comes at him during a fierce exchange. Patterson jabs the body with the ball of his foot, and he pecks away with long jabs and stabbing kicks to the torso. Ponzinibbio gives chase, but his swings hit little more than air. Patterson, meanwhile, reddens the nose of the veteran with his steady diet of jabs.

Ponzinibbio doubles up a jab to hurl a right hand, and Patterson is out of range and swoops away with a quick right hook. Ponzinibbio swings wild, and Patterson plants his fist straight down the middle on the jaw. Ponzinibbio takes a funny step back and takes a few more punches that now have his attention. Ponzinibbio retreats as Patterson walks him down, jab flourished, and he uses every single inch of his range to keep Ponzinibbio off of him. They clash with punches at the same time, and Patterson hits him first and harder to stumble the 39-year-old. Patterson’s jab forces Ponzinibbio to shoot, and that shot is stonewalled as the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Patterson

Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Patterson

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Patterson

Round 2 Patterson comes out of his corner confident, walking forward until he stops at the dead center of the cage. Ponzinibbio, meanwhile, is a bit more hesitant to engage him early, but he quickly puts that to bed when he storms forward swinging with all his might. Patterson slips and evades much of what is telegraphed whizzing by him, his footwork and movement keeping him off the proverbial gunnery range even with his chin up in the air for the taking. Ponzinibbio tries to find that chin, looping a huge right hand and buzzing it right past him. Patterson slips and counters, dancing in and out to plant a one-two on the chin. Ponzinibbio is staggered but still very in the fight, hellbent for leather with wide swings. Patterson is more composed and measured, letting off two or three at a time in brief spurts of combinations. These bust up Ponzinibbio’s nose, with a particularly powerful right hand shaking him up.

Patterson picks up the power behind his jabs, and he strings three crisp punches together that lift “Argentine Dagger” off his feet and down to the mat in danger. Patterson follows him down but does not want to initiate any ground game, landing a few strikes but otherwise letting Ponzinibbio up to tee off on him further.

Ponzinibbio backs off, hoping that he can get his sea legs about him, but Patterson will not let him do so. Patterson rifles off a one-two that smashes square into the cheek of the Argentinian. This time, Ponzinibbio does not get back up. Before Patterson can pounce to finish the job, Beltran intercepts him and pushes him back to wave the fight off. The triumphant Brit knows exactly what he wants next: the winner between Uros Medic and Daniel Rodriguez, who headline next week’s event in Serbia.

The Official Result Sam Patterson def. Santiago Ponzinibbio R2 3:06 via TKO (Punches) Dustin Jacoby (205) vs. Muhammad Said (206)Round 1 The elder statesman in this contest, Jacoby (22-9-1, 10-6-1 UFC) clocks in eight years older than burly newcomer Said (9-0, 0-0 UFC) in a meaningful matchup at 205 pounds. A victory for the former Glory kickboxer could advance him in the rankings, but a loss would be devastating for the number next to his name. They will collide under the watchful eye of referee Jim Perdios, who says go at the sound of the bell.

The fist bump is what starts off the contest, as Jacoby backs off and watches a few kicks come up well short. The American offers his own kicks that are also too distant, and he is ready to check the first calf kick that comes at him. Jacoby dances away from a body kick and clashes shins with his opponent twice to intercept kicks. Jacoby catches a body kick and misses on the counter, but his attacks are getting closer while Said is just swinging and hoping something connects. Said kicks the lead leg and tries to spin for a back kick, but he is too close as Jacoby slips past it. When Jacoby pitches a calf kick, Said goes high and nearly catches Jacoby flush. He tries a second time, and fires off a big right hand that staggers the former kickboxer.

Said chains a few punches into kicks, feeling himself as he parries what comes his direction. Jacoby kicks high as well, and Said protects himself from it calmly. A Said overhand right bounces off the shoulder, and he zooms two more scorching hooks that miss by a matter of inches. Jacoby plants a firm calf kick, stepping back to watch a head kick and spinning wheel kick knock out the air around him. Said reaches his foe with a left hand, and he digs a kick to the body under the guard. Said sticks his man with the jab and hurls a wheel kick that makes Jacoby shake his head. The close round ends.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Said

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Jacoby

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Said

Round 2 They touch gloves, and Jacoby gets back to working on the Russian’s front leg with kicks. They go jab-for-jab with one another, taking turns and trading in short bursts. Jacoby cannot seem to get out of first gear, with little more than calf kicks and jabs plus an occasional two. When Said commits to strikes, he stings Jacoby. A one-two shakes up the ex-kickboxer, and he gets knocked back with a spinning back kick. Jacoby ignores the calf kicks that bang into his plant leg while he plods forward behind jabs.

Said’s right hands have opened a cut on the corner of Jacoby’s left eye, and Jacoby has yet to figure him out. Said lets Jacoby kick him in the stomach so he can counter with a sharp right hand, and he misses with the head kick and spins immediately after it with a wheel kick. Jacoby slips it and drives his straight jab into the cheek time and time again, but Said’s expression is muted. Kicks to the front leg come from both sides, and Said looks to counter another front kick to the stomach with a right hand. Said tosses out a body kick, and Jacoby doubles over but keeps a stiff upper lip to not show that he is compromised. To further sell that he is not hurt, he keeps doing what he does, until Said walks him down and sticks him with a right to set up a beautiful head kick. Jacoby falls to the mat in a daze and manages to work his way back up, but he is under fire the whole time. Said turns on the jets and unleashes a long series of devastating punches that back and brutalize “The Hanyak.” As Perdios is calling for Jacoby to fight back, Said does not allow him to do this as he looses a head kick in close range to slam into the guard and further harm Jacoby. Seeing that Jacoby has wilted and has nothing left to fight back with, Perdios saves him from his toughness. That makes Said a perfect 10-0 as a pro, with stoppages accounting for nine of those triumphs.

The Official Result Muhammad Said def. Dustin Jacoby R2 4:49 via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) Valter Walker (248) vs. Thomas Petersen (245)Round 1 This heavyweight pairing headlining the prelims does not so much as “separate the men from the boys” as it might separate someone’s foot from their ankle before it’s all said and done. “The Foot Hunter” Walker (15-1, 4-1 UFC) plans on doing just that, in hopes of landing five heel hooks in a row—a feat never seen in a major organization, but likely somewhere in Pancrase in the mid-‘90s. Doesn’t that sound like something Masakatsu Funaki pulled off while swimming in a sea of Ruttens and Shamrocks? Petersen (11-4, 3-3 UFC) knows it will be coming, and it will be coming quickly—phrasing. Referee Dan Movahedi didn’t get that joke, but that could be because he’s busy in the cage right now with Walker weirdly crawling towards Petersen during the announcements. The big men bump fists.

Walker goes right towards Petersen, darting away when Petersen rushes at him with a one-two. Walker kicks the body, and Petersen pushes through it to tie him up and possibly go for a level change. Walker flops to his back to pull Petersen into his guard, but Petersen is in half guard, in a position where Walker cannot do nearly as much. Nevertheless, Walker goes after his signature heel hook, rolling several times around to grip hold of the foot. Petersen knows it is coming and crawls away, but his limp is still caught in a precarious position. Walker uses his legs to loop around Petersen’s left leg, securing a sneaky calf slicer that puts immense pressure on Petersen’s knee. Petersen appears upset with himself before he taps out once, as he has no antidote for the venomous maneuver. It might not have been a heel hook, but it is yet another leg lock. What more can be said about “The Foot Hunter,” who now posts five submission wins in a row and showboats by demonstrating his patented move on a teammate. He announces the opening of his new jiu-jitsu gym, where he claims he will teach people how to “take the feet.”

The Official Result Valter Walker def. Thomas Petersen R1 1:32 via Submission (Calf Slicer) Abubakar Vagaev (171) vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev (171)Round 1 It’s time for the ACA welterweight championship of the Russia—wait, hang on. Izagakhmaev (22-3, 0-1 UFC) and Vagaev (24-4, 0-0 UFC) will continue the long, storied rivalry between Dagestan and Chechnya, with Izagakhmaev repping the former and the newcomer from the latter. Russia Russia Russia! Referee Mike Beltran is ready to get this show on the road, and the fighters follow suit by clapping gloves.

Vagaev rushes out of his corner with one plan: shoot a takedown. He is handed the opportunity on a silver platter when Izagakhmaev loops a right hand at him, and the Chechen ducks under and completes the double with relative ease. Izagakhmaev keeps butterfly hooks to prevent Vagaev from climbing on top of him, resulting in an awkward positioning with Vagaev hovering over his foe while holding onto him. Vagaev looks for a knee to the chest as Izagakhmaev stands back up, and Vagaev wants to mat return him and fails on his first effort. Izagakhmaev knees him on either side with his back jammed up against the fencing, trying to stay active as he fights off a trip takedown as they land in 50-50 position on their knees. They both stand back up, and Vagaev wants the takedown and fishes for an inside trip to disrupt his foe’s balance and put him down. A small cut develops on the corner of Izagakhmaev’s right eye. As Vagaev climbs on top, he establishes himself in the closed guard to drop down ground strikes.

The crowd is silent as the two Russians play their trade, with Vagaev landing the occasional strike from above. The fans begin to make noise in the form of boos, as Vagaev is smothering and occasionally headbutting Izagakhmaev. Izagakhmaev goes for a heel hook, and Vagaev grabs the fence with both hands to get out of it. Beltran only cries foul once, but Vagaev has escaped the precarious position specifically with illegal fence grabs and stands back up. They trade knees on the inside as Vagaev wants to stay close, and one of his knees bumps into Izagakhmaev’s cup. No call on that one either. Vagaev attempts a takedown as he is ducked down, and Izagakhmaev times a clean knee right on the jaw. Vagaev staggers back and may be more hurt than he is showing, as Izagakhmaev rings his bell with a right hand before the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vagaev

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Vagaev

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Vagaev

Round 2 Before the round begins, Beltran has to back Izagakhmaev off several times. The clock begins, and the Dagestan native goes right after his countryman. Izagakhmaev kicks the lead leg to force an immediate stance switch, and he knocks Vagaev back with a sharp jab. Vagaev sits down on a right hand and surprises Izagakhmaev, following after him with a number of heavy strikes to prove that he might not be as fatigued as some guessed. Izagakhmaev times a double and puts Vagaev on the mat, and Vagaev grabs the fence once or twice as he stands back up. Beltran notices this and warns him for fingers in the cage. In the clinch, Vagaev picks up where he left off in the first round by grinding, but this time, Izagakhmaev is able to turn him about. Vagaev tries for a single, and when he bails on it, he jams a knee to the stomach. Izagakhmaev responds when separate with a hefty calf kick, and he swings a big elbow.

Izagakhmaev holds his hands low, possibly to protect his midsection as Vagaev landed a few times there, and Vagaev bullies him back and elbows him zestfully. Vagaev leans and wears on his opponent while occasionally landing a short strike, with Izagakhmaev constantly kneeing him in the body from a tight space. Izagakhmaev slips a few punches when they separate and is forced back to the clinch, where Vagaev stalls out when his takedown attempts fail. He goes over the top with two sharp elbows, and keeps this clinch position until the five-minute period ends.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Vagaev

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev

Round 3 Smiling as if he knows something, Izagakhmaev comes out of his corner reckless behind two wide hooks. This draws the two into a fierce slugfest, where they are putting everything behind their swings and grunting after connecting. Izagakhmaev pins straight right hands on the jaw, and as he loads up on right hands, he stings Vagaev. After hurting his opponent, Izagakhmaev bizarrely shoots for a takedown, and Vagaev shuts him down and they resume striking for a few seconds. Vagaev gets in close and completes his own takedown, taking the crowd out of the equation as he hangs on from behind. His offense is limited to short right hands, far more interested in manhandling the Dagestani fighter as if to prove a point. Izagakhmaev grips a kimura to sweep his man, flipping Vagaev over but no further. Izagakhmaev forces a standup, but they are still stuck in the clinch.

Vagaev goes after a single, and Izagakhmaev hops away to regain his footing and is pushed to the cage wall once more. Beltran gets between them after asking for more activity, and Vagaev takes a second or two to charge forward and tackle Izagakhmaev to the floor. Izagakhmaev on his knees looks for nothing more than to stand, and he does so without serious difficulty. He traps Vagaev’s wrist behind his back and drags the former ACA champ to the floor, where he steps into full mount and immediately attacks an arm-triangle choke. Vagaev twists the right direction to get out of it, but he is still mounted. Izagakhmaev stays heavy with chest pressure to disallow any escape, because as soon as he postures up, Vagaev spins. Izagakhmaev isolates an arm-triangle choke on the other side, and again, Vagaev turns to get out of it. He does this also when attempting a rear-naked choke. With seconds to go, Izagakhmaev sells out for an armbar, and the fight ends in the middle of a transition.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev (29-28 Vagaev)

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev (29-28 Izagakhmaev)

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Izagakhmaev (29-28 Izagakhmaev)

The Official Result Abubakar Vagaev def. Saygid Izagakhmaev via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Rizvan Kuniev (265.5) vs. Tyrell Fortune (258)Round 1 Heavyweights that like to grapple take the cage next, and referee Jim Perdios and the cage floor—it is over 520 pounds of meat in the Octagon between the athletes alone—brace for something. Kuniev (13-3-1, 1 NC; 1-1 UFC) will be the local favorite as he hopes to skip a few more lines to catch another big fight soon. Fortune (18-3, 2 NC; 1-0 UFC) surprised in March when he upset Marcin Tybura, getting him a place in the rankings in one outing. Someone might tumble out of those ranks when the night is out. They bump their large fists together before putting them to action.

Kuniev is the aggressor, walking into a Fortune leg kick right off the bat. Fortune strafes on the outer edge of the cage behind the black dividing line, getting pushed back with a front kick and responding with a lunging overhand right. Kuniev crashes the pocket with a pair of punches and drives a knee to the chest, making Fortune bail on the situation and reset. Kuniev and his 266-pound frame leap at Fortune, who is surprised at the hops on the Russian. Fortune hammers the front leg with a kick that makes Kuniev take a funny step, and he beans him with two right hands after it. Fortune ducks under and rips a right hand, and they clash together chest to chest. Fortune wings a right hand, and Kuniev sees it and ducks away. Kuniev jabs his way forward and knees Fortune in the raised guard, the sheer impact of it making him turn off and backpedal. Kuniev fakes a spin and darts away from a looping punch, keeping his hand up to swat away a head kick.

Kuniev targets the guard when he punches, hoping to force some openings. He follows one with a step-in knee, and Fortune drives him back immediately with a short but effective combination of punches. The Russian spins with a back kick that slams in to the body of the American, who doubles over and puts his back to the fence. Kuniev lets him have it with a barrage of punches and knees, opening a cut under the right eye of the former Bellator fighter. Fortune appears to have his wits about him again with about a minute to spare, and Kuniev tests that by crashing into him with offense in the form of fists and knees. Fortune, squeezed against the cage wall, gives a few knees back to force a smidge of space. Fortune rips an uppercut on the inside when the clinch relocates to the center of the cage, and he tries for a second as Kuniev shoves him away. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev

Round 2 Gloves are touched, and Kuniev wants to then put one on Fortune’s face. Fortune reaches him first, but it is Kuniev who does the damage, bending Fortune over again in the midst of a flurry. Fortune comes over the top with a right hand, but the damage is already done as his right eye with the cut also has some serious swelling blowing up. Kuniev presses him against the fence, and Fortune muscles him out and gets kneed in the groin. There is no call, and Fortune does not flinch…until Kuniev knees him square in the face. Fortune sports a grim grin as he backs off, taking massive damage as Kuniev picks his shots and beats him to the body and chin. The body shots have wrecked Fortune, who complained about a damaged rib between rounds, as Kuniev bears down on him. It is more of a mauling than a quick-strike finish, as he does not give Fortune any space and constantly aggravates him with attacks. Kuniev backs off, only to leap in with a knee, and Fortune is rocked but still hangs in there.

Fortune breaks off and hurries to the other side of the cage, and Kuniev stalks him down like a well-fed Terminator. Fortune, out of nowhere, gathers and launches a huge right hand that rocks the Russian. It is one-and-done, however, as Kuniev clinches him up and proceeds to make it dirty. Slashing with elbows from up close, he ignores the few strikes offered by the American to further impose his weight on him. Fortune splits off with a minute to go, and he rifles off a long right hand that brushes past the chin. Kuniev fakes a knee to draw a reaction, using it to get in close so he can deliver more knees to his intended destination. Fortune ends the round with a bit of confidence landing a few strikes, and when the bell sounds, he walks off clutching his side.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Kuniev

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Kuniev

Round 3 Fortune explains to his corner that the damage he sustained is taking him completely out of his element. Normalize corner stoppages. The last round begins despite Fortune basically saying he can’t fight anymore, with Kuniev walking him down fearlessly. Fortune lets fly a few huge punches, but he takes a knee and covers up. Kuniev kicks him in the face to split the guard, knees him in the breadbasket again and forces Fortune to back off to the cage wall. Kuniev punishes the American with a jump knee, and when he lands, he crushes Fortune with one more knee that crumbles him completely. Fortune collapses to his knees, with his valiant effort cut short thanks to the fearsome knees from a 266-pound Russian who very well may be about 290 in the cage. Kuniev walks off knowing his work here is done, and he takes a well-deserved breather.

The Official Result Rizvan Kuniev def. Tyrell Fortune R3 1:12 via TKO (Knees) Magomed Zaynukov (155.5) vs. Damian Rzepecki (155.5)Round 1 Undefeated vs. undefeated! Also known as the UFC smashing up some toys in its lightweight division. Rzepecki (10-0, 0-0 UFC) tends to come out like a high temp smoker, while ”John Pork” “Wild Chanco” Zaynukov (8-0, 0-0 UFC) of the Dagestani four-guard mold is a veritable machine ready to roast someone. Something’s gotta give, and referee Marc Goddard will be ready to save someone’s bacon if needed. The 155ers do not wish to hog any more spotlight and do not touch ‘em up.

The fight begins with Zaynukov attacking the lead leg of his opponent with impunity. Rzepecki does not like this, so he crowds him and pushes him against the fence. The action stalls out for a spell, with little more than short knees from either side flying. Zaynukov attempts a trip to break out of the clinch, and they reset in the center of the cage. Rzepecki walks into a body kick as he bobs and weaves his way forward, with Zaynukov offering kicks aplenty. They both connect with a few crisp strikes in an exchange, with Zaynukov breaking away courtesy of a powerful elbow. He changes levels and crashes into Rzepecki’s chest, pushing him to the fencing but not keeping him there long as Rzepecki spins him about.

They jockey for position in the tie-up, with Zaykunov getting in a solid knee while they twirl around. Rzepecki knees him back a few times, and at least one appears to bump into the cup. Zaynukov punches his way out of the clinch, and he has two hooks ready when Rzepecki comes his way. It is the elbow after it from Zaynukov that connects, and he pushes out as his finger jams deep into the eye socket of the Polish fighter. Goddard calls it immediately and hurries in the doctor, who is taking his sweet time getting in the cage. The physician comes to check on his condition, as he needs some time to clear his vision and uses the cloth to help. Goddard calmly assures Rzepecki that he does not need to worry about the time, and that it is more important that he recover as much as he needs. After about two minutes, Rzepecki is good to go. Goddard issues a hard warning to Zaynukov, saying that it is his first and last. They resume with about 75 seconds on the clock, and Rzepecki pushes the action and sways back to avoid a trio of hooks. Zaynukov commits to a second series of hooks that does reach his intended target, and he is warned for outstretched fingers. As Rzepecki comes in to strike, he pulls a fast one and hits a sneaky trip to throw “Wild Chanco” down. Zaynukov leaps back up and jumps at Rzepecki with a knee, chasing after him with a few clubbing punches that force Rzepecki to retreat. Rzepecki spins but bails on a swing, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov

Round 2 Rzepecki is aggressive nearly to a fault to start off the round, allowing Zaynukov to pick his counters and beat on the front leg with stomp kicks. Rzepecki closes the distance, and Zaynukov welcomes this as he utilizes a body lock to hurl the Polish fighter to the mat. The man that we definitely will not call “John Pork” cannot keep Rzepecki down for long, as Rzepecki scrambles and wall-walks to safety. Rzepecki times a slick spinning elbow that rings off the dome, and Zaynukov tanks it and kicks him a few times. Rzepecki pushes Zaynukov to the wall, grinding on him until the Russian forces a separation. Rzepecki delivers a body kick on the break.

Zaynukov lets loose short, tight elbows from up close, driving them into Rzepecki’s mouth when the clinch is re-implemented. Zaynukov times a perfect elbow that rocks the former FEN champion, and he lets loose with a flurry of fists until Rzepecki ties him up to slow him down. Zaynukov does not mind the close proximity, as he rips open a cut above Rzepecki’s right eyebrow that immediately starts pouring blood down his face. Rzepecki does not register it, rushing in to attack and planting his foot on Zaynukov’s midsection with a spinner. Zaynukov gets up close and personal and jacks him up with a few more elbows, further opening the wound with subsequent blows. Rzepecki tries for a spinning back elbow, and he glances off the target but is met with a number of elbows and head kick as the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov

Round 3 The cutman between rounds sealed Rzepecki up well, but a few strikes will likely pop it right open again. The round begins with both men kicking, as Rzepecki beats up the lead leg until they both try for takedowns. This results in a body lock where they both go flipping to the floor, and then climb back up to get to kickboxing range. The blood does indeed flow after Zaynukov targets that wound like a bullseye, and Rzepecki answers a few strikes with a takedown shot. Zaynukov shuts it down and proceeds to elbow Rzepecki without fear. Rzepecki comes in to strike, and Zaynukov knocks him back with a Ginsu knife-like elbow. “The Butcher” has quickly become “The Butchered” as gashes spring up in more than one spot on his visage, and Zaynukov tries to force one more with another elbow.

Rzepecki advances no matter the odds, taking a front kick square in the face and absorbing his umpteenth elbow that causes a bit of unlicensed plastic surgery. Rzepecki keeps pushing forward despite the damage, despite Zaynukov beating him to the punch literally and figuratively, and his chin holds up. Rzepecki ducks down for a single, and Zaynukov opens up with three punches that rock the Polish fighter badly. Rzepecki has a stiff upper lip like few others, as he keeps taking elbows and front kicks. Zaynukov dislodges his foe’s mouthguard with one, and Rzepecki replaces it with Goddard’s help and goes right back to battle. Zaynukov picks his shots and raises his arms in victory with seconds to spare, but Rzepecki chases after him for a last-second takedown. Zaykunov elbows him right to the final bell and possibly beyond, with Goddard getting right in there to make sure there is a clean break. “Wild Chanco” is most likely on the board with a UFC win coming right up.

Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov (30-27 Zaynukov)

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Zaynukov (30-27 Zaynukov)

Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-