Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov makes his Bellator debut this Friday against No. 3 ranked Corey Anderson in the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix’s opening round. The 205lb showdown serves as the co-main event at Bellator 257, which features the second and third grand prix quarterfinals, including champ Vadim Nemkov taking on Phil Davis.
Anderson is an impressive name to land for a promotional debut, without question. But there’s no pressure heading into the fight, according to the newcomer. “I don’t feel any kind of pressure because of the big name,” Yagshimuradov said during Wednesday’s Bellator 257 media day. “It’s only a name.”
To many fans, this will be the first time they will have seen Yagshimuradov fight as he has been overseas the entirety of his career, fighting in ACA, ACB, M-1, and Oplot Challenge. While he might be a mystery to some, others know how good he is — hence why Bellator threw him into the Grand Prix without ever fighting for the promotion.
The Turkmenistan fighter is riding an eight-fight winning streak that dates back to 2016. In those eight wins, he has finished six of his opponents with a mixture of knockouts and submissions.
During the Bellator 257 media day this week, Cageside Press asked the light heavyweight how he would describe his fighting style to anyone who hasn’t seen him fight.
“Sometimes I don’t even know what to call my style, it is some kind of weird [style],” Yagshimuradov said. “I usually adapt to my opponent during the fight. If he tries to wrestle I will strike with him, and if he tries to strike, I will wrestle with him.”
Yagshimuradov vs. Anderson goes down at Bellator 257 this Friday, April 16 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Watch Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov’s full media day appearance above.
