Stepping up to replace Yanal Ashmouz at UFC Vegas 101 on January 11, 2025 was Joe Solecki, taking on the undefeated Nurullo Aliev in the promotion’s very first fight of the year.
With roughly a week’s notice, Solecki had made weight, but how drained he was and what sort of preparation he had managed to squeeze in remained legitimate questions ahead of the bout. Aliev meanwhile was returning to action, in his first UFC fight in nearly a year.
Aliev found his patented double leg takedown a minute into the fight, as expected. Up against the fence, Solecki worked towards a triangle choke, but all it did was get Aliev’s attention, no further consequences. The first round was all Aliev, who maintained control after the first minute takedown.
Aliev found another takedown in a messy scramble to start round two, and Solecki was once again able to attempt a triangle choke, but to no avail. Aliev used the momentum of escaping the triangle choke to take Solecki’s back. Solecki exploded up, but got caught with a great right hook to knock him back down to the canvas.
The “Tajik Eagle” continued to dictate the pace in the third, which played out more on the feet. The undefeated prospect was landing good shots, making it difficult for Solecki to find the needed finishing blow. At the end of the third round, Solecki landed a takedown and gained mount position, but it was too little too, late.
Official Result: Nurullo Aliev def. Joe Solecki by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
