Bantamweight action kicked off the UFC Vegas 58 card, as Ronnie Lawrence faced off with Saidyokub Kakhramonov.
Both fighters were looking to build off success early in their UFC careers: Lawrence, on a five-fight winning streak, had won his first two fights in the octagon, while Kakhramonov made a successful promotional debut last time out, and was on a three-fight win streak overall.
Lawrence was bloodied at some point during the opening minute of his fight with Kakhramonov. Lawrence would then land a takedown, only for Kakramonov to reverse and go to work on top, dropping a few smashing elbows while trying to work past Lawrence’s guard. Larence would eventually scramble up and try to put the pressure on, but he wound up grappling along the fence with Kakhramonov, who soon had him back to the mat. Kakhramonov move to side control, and again went to work, riding out the round on top.
Already taking flight as we move into R2✈️
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— UFC (@ufc) July 9, 2022
The takedowns continued in round two. Again, Kakhramonov went to work in Lawrence’s guard, deftly repositioning his opponent to keep him away from the fence. Kakhramonov passed to half guard and worked shots to the body, while Lawrence pretty much just held on, unable to mount much in the way of offense. Once again, Kakhramonov looked as if he would ride out a very dominant round in top position, eating up even more clock this time. But Lawrence managed to power up in the final minute, only to be dragged down, get up again, and wind up pinned against the fence as the horn sounded.
Round three saw the pair back to the ground early. Lawrence worked for an omoplata but didn’t have the position. And so once again, Kakhramonov settled in on top with nearly a full round to work. As he had in the first two rounds, Kakhramonov was seemingly effortless in controlling his opponent. Lawrence looked to scramble, but that basically allowed Kakhramonov to kick his feet out, take the back, and wrench him down again.
Official Result: Saidyokub Kakhramonov def. Ronnie Lawrence by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
