One of three middleweight fights on the UFC Atlantic City card on Saturday found Uzbekistan’s Nursulton Ruziboev taking on Sedriques Dumas.
Ruziboev entered the night on a nine-fight win streak, undefeated since 2019. Dumas, a 2022 Contender Series winner, was 2-1 under the UFC banner, and had won back-to-back fights, most recently against Abu Azaitar.
Both fighters would meet in the center standing, exchanging feints, both extremely cautious of each other. When the action did finally break, it would be nonstop. Ruziboev struck first with a counter right hand catching Dumas moving in, temporarily backing off the Floridian.
Ruziboez found success multiple times with his rear upper cut causing his opponent to momentarily shell up before retreating. Dumas would flash his front kick multiple times at Nursulton, however, they would not land as Ruziboev moved out of range with his footwork.
Dumas moved forward on a blitz of straight punches, trying desperately to close the distance and make something happen. Ruziboev would try to post up with his lead hand and move away from the attack.
Nursulton’s open lead hand would brush down across the face of Dumas and at the end of the exchange Dumas held his eye complaining of an eye poke. With no break in the action granted by the ref, Ruziboev seized the opportunity, and leaped on his opponent with a barrage of strikes crumbling him against the cage.
Official Result: Nursulton Ruziboev def. Sedriques Dumas by KO, Round 1, 3:18
