Heavyweight action kicked off Saturday’s UFC Baku Fight Night card, which saw the UFC making its debut in the nation of Azerbaijan.
The preliminary card opener found Mohammed Usman, brother of former welterweight champ Kamaru, taking on Hamdy Abdelwahab. Usman, who had entered the promotion via The Ultimate Fighter 30, was looking to snap a two-fight skid; Abdelwahab was 4-0 with a No Contest due to a failed drug test to start the night.
Hamdy Abdelwahab opened the action with a couple of big leg kicks that had Usman clearly uncomfortable. Usman responded by throwing a wild overhand, but Abdelwahab landed another calf kick that tripped Usman up. Those kicks would be the story of the round, which played out on the feet. Almost certainly Abdelwahab’s round.
Abdelwahab was on the attack in round two, until an eye poke landed, halting his progress. After a brief pause, with Abdelwahab indicating he was good to continue, action resumed. Almost immediately, Abdelwahab connected with a jab to the head. Moments later, Usman landed a right hand that had Abdelwahab retreating, clearly feeling it. Another right hand followed moments later; Abdelwahab returned fire, but Usman was taking over the momentum. More right hands followed, Abdelwahab fired a left of his own, and things were starting to open up. They’d finish out the round without any further scares however.
Round three featured more back-and-forth on the feet, with Usman again more active than he had been in the first. He worked the body with jabs, and had the edge in output through the first half of the frame. When Usman changed levels, Abdelwahab swung hard, forcing Mohammed to bail on the takedown attempt, half-hearted as it was. In the final minute, Usman cracked Abdelwahab with another right hand, hurting him. Usman backed the larger man up to the fence, going on the attack, and though he couldn’t find the finish, that sequence may have just won him the round, and fight.
Official Result: Mohammed Usman def. Hamdy Abdelwahab by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
