In a special feature bout at PFL 6 2019, Umar Nurmagomedov took Sidemar Honorio the distance, earning a unanimous decision win.
Big news broke late last month with the announcement that the Professional Fighters League had inked a deal with Umar Nurmagomedov. The cousin of UFC champ Khabib was an undefeated 10-0 prospect who had fought once prior for the promotion. On Thursday at PFL 6 2019 in Atlantic City, Nurmagomedov would return to the PFL cage in a special feature bantamweight fight, opposite Sidemar Honorio.
After a brief feeling out on the feet, Nurmagomedov took this fight to the ground, which led to some slick transitions, though Nurmagomedov remained in control. He’d wind up in guard, then later back off, getting back to his feet until the ref allowed Honorio to stand up. Nurmagomedov would have the edge there too, throwing strikes including a high kick before clinching and getting the fight down again.
Some nasty leg kicks from both men kicked off round two. Honorio fired off a spinning kick that missed. Nurmagomedov was light on his feet, constantly moving. He chopped at Honorio’s leg, then fired a kick up high. Then the leg again, with a crack. The kicks would slowly have an effect, with Honorio showing some damage, and tripping up a number of times in the second. Still, he stayed active as well, refusing to wilt under pressure. He’d even try out a rolling attack at the end of the frame.
Round three had Umar Nurmagomedov on the attack again, utilizing front kicks, push kicks, and taking Honorio down once again. Eventually, the ref would stand the pair up, but Honorio was running low on time. Nurmagomedov would land a knee to the body along the fence, and take the fight back down, disengage, then wade back into Honorio’s guard. They’d go the distance, with Nurmagomedov improving to 11-0.
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Sidemar Honorio by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
