‘ZaBeast’ a.k.a. Zabit Magomedsharipov put on another clinic in his latest bout, against Kyle Bochniak at UFC 223.
Potential featherweight star Zabit Magomedsharipov returned at UFC 223 on Saturday night in Brooklyn, NY. ‘ZaBeast’ was making his third trip to the octagon, and the exciting Russian fighter was a potential bonus winner in the minds of many. The flashy striker, equally skilled on the ground, had already picked up two bonuses in the first two fights of his UFC career.
Kyle Bochniak, meanwhile, was looking to derail the hype train of Magomedsharipov.
It was Bochniak pushing forward and closing the distance to start this featherweight battle. The taller, rangier Zabit was able to stay out of harm’s way, and as always, looked loose and ready. He unleashed a snapping leg kick, while Bochniak fired back. A spinning kick, lightening fast, came from Zabit next. A jumping switch kick flew later in the round. Magomedsharipov was again putting on a clinic, firing off a high kick to the side of the head next. One final exchange at the end of the round saw both fighters connect, but through the entire round, it was Zabit getting the job done.
Bochniak came charging out of the gate again in round two. He tried goading Zabit into standing in front of him, but Magomedsharipov wasn’t having it. Instead, he wound up taking the back of Kyle Bochniak. Throwing him down, he once again proved to be a complete fighter. Escaping that, Bochniak then dropped his hands and stuck his chin out, and wound up grazed a couple of times, and luckily (for him) not finished. Zabit would later throw him to the canvas single-handedly, and while Bochniak tried for an arm-bar, it was nowhere close to completion.
Bochniak started round three screaming and goading, sticking his tongue out and doing anything he could to shift the momentum. Then took a kick to the abdomen, and found himself taken down next. He’d try to egg the ref on into a standup, to no avail, and when he did manage to make it back to his feet, he was put right on his back.
Back up, Bochniak had an opening when he managed to shake Zabit off his back, but Magomedsharipov was immediately back to his feet. He then had his leg caught, only to launch a kick off his one free leg to break free. In the final minute, Bochniak managed to land his first damaging strike of the round, and as the crowd roared, they stood and traded to the bell! The winner was clear cut, but it remained an incredible fight.
Zabit Magomedsharipov def. Kyle Bochniak by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
