Two lightweight prospects with identical records faced off at UFC Vegas 69 as Nazim Sadykhov, a debuting fighter coached by Ray Longo, took on Evan Elder.
Sadykhov, following in the footsteps of Rafael Fiziev as only the second Azerbaijani fighter in UFC history, had finished his last four opponents, including a knockout that earned him a contract on the sixth season of Dana White’s Contenders Series. The well-rounded 28-year old had a tough test opposite him though in Evan Elder, who was undefeated at 7-0 before his loss in his short notice debut last year. As the octagon doors closed the two young men faced off and went to war.
Nazim instantly took the center with his southpaw stance against the orthodox Elder. Sadykhov stalked his American opponent around the cage and at times had to eat a few shots to do so on the way in. Elder switched to southpaw and then got seemingly hurt by a right hand, but he recovered quickly despite eating a partial head kick afterwards. The body kicks from Elder were a good attack but the pressure of Sadykhov was clearly making him uncomfortable. Evan shot a takedown which was stuffed but then a big overhand right landed a flash knockdown on Nazim. Sadykhov got back to his feet and got back to stalking Elder. The debutant used a variety of strikes which belied his youth. Yet, even while being pressured Elder showed clear skill too, ripping to the body and circling out at times. The dynamic of Nazim pressuring continued till the end of the round, when a high kick caught Elder somewhat. That emboldened him to rush forward with a combo attempt right before the bell sounded.
Evan Elder came out for round two with a clear intention to stay off the fence as he made sure to meet Nazim in the center. Both fighters landed good strikes in the opening stages of the round, with their talent and durability being on clear display. Just past one minute into the round, Elder shot a great double leg takedown which got Nazim down into full guard. Sadykhov worked his way to the fence though, and was able to stand up. Elder lifted him to take him down again but Nazim got up again.
Still, Elder was then able to hold Sadykhov in the clinch and just knee his torso for a while, until Nazim got off the fence halfway through the round. Sadykhov seemed newly determined though as for a minute and a half he landed the only clean shots, and then tackled Elder to the ground with one minute left in the round. He then held him in the clinch until he could land a big break strike. Elder focused on the body after that but he ate a clean head kick in return, which he somehow absorbed without falling, and was then able to control his foe for the last twenty seconds of the round.
Going into the final round the score could have been virtually anything. Both fighters’ coaches hyped them up in the minute break between rounds and they got at it immediately when the round started. The pace was insane. Elder landed a body shot, Nazim landed a head kick, Elder shot a takedown, and Nazim stuffed it so he could knee Elder in return. Somewhere in the chaos a cut had opened up on the right eyebrow of Evan Elder. The full extent was not clear at first but when Mark Smith stopped the fight so the doctor could take a look, fans watching on TV could see the cut was about three inches long with blood pouring into Elder’s eye. The doctor told Mark Smith to wave the fight off and he did so, putting a slightly sour end on an amazing contest, which had an early shot for ‘Fight of the Night’ honors.
This banger is over! The doctor calls this one off due to a cut above Evan Elder's eye.@Naz_MMA is leaving #UFCVegas69 with the victory in his Octagon debut 👏 pic.twitter.com/5cgS2KaCuX
— UFC (@ufc) February 18, 2023
On review, it could be seen that Sadykhov’s head kick had resulted in his knee landing cleanly and cutting open elder, making him a deserving winner as he directly caused the cut.
Official Result: Nazim Sadykhov def. Evan Elder by TKO (Doctor’s Stoppage), Round 3, 0:38
