Zubaira Tukhugov earned a stoppage win at UFC Auckland, knocking Kevin Aguilar out inside one round.
Part of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s inner circle, Zubaira Tukhugov returned to action at UFC Auckland on Saturday. Taking on Kevin Aguilar, Tukhugov was looking for his first win since December 2015, a split decision over Phillipe Nover. Since then, the Dagestani fighter had gone 0-1-1, while also sitting out close to a year for his part in the brawl sparked by lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in 2018.
Aguilar, meanwhile, was looking to bounce back from the first loss of his UFC tenure, to Dan Ige last year. Prior to that loss, he was on a nine-fight winning streak, with wins in the UFC over the likes of Rick Glenn and Enrique Barzola.
Tukhugov opened up with a front kick to the body of Aguilar, and Aguilar responded with a low kick that landed stiff. Aguilar shot in with some looping strikes that missed, and Tukhugov responded with a jab. Tukhugov sat down on a right hand that landed, and Aguilar threw a leaping left hook that landed. Tukhugov landed another right, and Aguilar countered with a left as Tukhugov was getting out of range. Tukhugov landed a massive left hook that sat Aguilar down, he made his way back to his feet but he ate another powerful left that put him down badly. Tukhugov jumped on with the ground and pound and that was all it took for Mark Goddard to call off the fight.
RE-LENT-LESS! 😤
🇷🇺 @ZubairaTukhugov with the constant pressure!
Watch now ➡️ LIVE on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/JunVIGNyM8
— UFC (@ufc) February 22, 2020
Putting all the controversy aside in his young career, Zubaira Tukhugov is a phenomenal fighter and showed it at UFC Auckland.
Zubaira Tukhugov def. Kevin Aguilar via TKO (Punches) in Round 1 (3:21)
