Chaotic featherweights clashed on the UFC 287 prelims as Shayilan Nuerdanbieke faced off with Steve Garcia.
China’s Nuerdanbieke, in his fiftieth pro fight, was looking for a fourth straight UFC victory. Meanwhile, Garcia was looking to build a winning streak in this one after a career best performance in his last fight, a knockout win against Chase Hooper.
Garcia came out southpaw, using his long reach to try to catch Nuerdanbieke with awkward strikes from distance, but almost immediately kicked him in the cup. When the fight resumed Nuerdanbieke hit Garcia with a massive overhand right. Garcia seemed out for a second but regained consciousness by the time Shayilan got on top of him to land ground and pound.
After a few big strikes, including a massive elbow, Garcia was able to somewhat find a way to defend himself from damage in full guard. Garcia worked his way up but was dragged back down with a great trip by Nuerdanbieke. Shayilan remained on top for a while but Garcia was able to get back up with one minute left. With twenty seconds left in the round Garcia suddenly rocked Nuerdanbieke with a straight, but Shayilan was able to get a takedown before the round. He landed what seemed to be an illegal grounded head kick at the buzzer, but Garcia seemed unbothered.
After both men were hurt in the first round the second round started wild too as Garcia hurt Nuerdanbieke badly in the first fifteen seconds of the round. Nuerdanbieke tried to fight off the fence but was crippled by a front kick to the body followed by a left hook to the same place. Shayilan turtled up on the floor as the referee waved the fight off. Steve Garcia once again showed insane toughness and perseverance as a warrior in the octagon.
BRUTAL body shot from @MeanMachine505 😬 #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/a5GgjeZkQh
— UFC (@ufc) April 8, 2023
Official Result: Steve Garcia def. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke by TKO (body shots), Round 2, 0:36
