The first Chinese fighter to enter the UFC via Dana White’s Contender Series, Maheshate returned to action at UFC Vegas 73, in the featured preliminary card bout with Viacheslav Borschev.
Just 23, Maheshate was 1-1 in the octagon to date, and the youngest fighter on Saturday’s Fight Night card. Early on, he stayed outside, moving constantly as the pair traded kicks. The Chinese lightweight showed some solid accuracy with his strikes, going to the body and head, and late ripped a head kick that was blocked, but still made an impact.
Viacheslav Borschev would begin to target the body as the round wore on — but with about 90 seconds to go, he took an eye poke quickly identified by the ref. That left Borschev with a bleeding inner eyelid, though he appeared ready to fight on as the doctor checked the wound. Eventually, he was allowed to do so, though with blood leaking directly into the eye, his vision would no doubt be compromised.
Perhaps with that in mind, Borschev unloaded at the end of the round, dropping Maheshate with a right. Maheshate made it back to his feet, but was under fire as the horn sounded.
Whether Maheshate was recovered heading into the second was the question. For a little bit, he seemed safe, but Borschev dropped him again two minutes in! When he came back up, Borschev clinched, firing knees. Borschev then ripped the body, and fired a nasty right hand that sat Maheshate down for the third and final time! Some follow-up strikes sealed the deal, and Borschev had his second win in the UFC.
SLAVA CLAUS DOES IT AGAIN!!@ViacheslavBors1 back in the win column with a finish to close the prelims! #UFCVegas73 pic.twitter.com/cd5yEEOL16
— UFC (@ufc) May 20, 2023
Official Result: Viacheslav Borschev def. Maheshate by TKO, Round 2, 2:37
