Middleweights Andre Muniz and Ikram Aliskerov opened up the UFC Kansas City main card on Saturday, with Muniz fighting for the first time since December of 2023.
The Brazilian had earned a reputation for his submission prowess, especially after snapping the arm of the legendary Jacare Souza. As for Aliskerov, he’d had a quick ride up the 185lb division, but had been stopped last time out.
The opening round of Aliskerov vs. Muniz was more of a feeling process, with neither man committing to much. Aliskerov was the slightly busier fighter, putting together punches in bunches. Muniz stayed on the outside, often circling, looking to avoid getting drawn into a firefight. A patient, careful approach, but not careful enough. With less than a minute in the round, Aliskerov connected with a left hook, and Muniz stumbled backwards, back hitting the cage. He went down, and Ikram Aliskerov went in for the kill, dropping blow after blow while Muniz covered up. The Brazilian did what he could to stay in the fight with just seconds left on the clock, but ultimately wasn’t defending well enough for the ref, who gave him ample time before waving things off.
The TKO win for Aliskerov sees him bounce back into the win column after falling to ex-champ Robert Whittaker last summer.
Official Result: Ikram Aliskerov def. Andre Muniz by TKO, Round 1, 4:54
