Kicking off the UFC Baku main card on Saturday was the first of three middleweight fights among the final six bouts of the evening: Abus Magomedov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk.
Oleksiejczuk had been working with The Fighting Nerds the past couple of years and had won three straight; Magomedov had seen his own three-fight win streak snapped by Joe Pyfer last time out.
To start the opening round Magomedov pressed forward while Oleksiejczuk looked to time a big left hand. Magomedov landed a glancing head kick followed by an uppercut moments later. Oleksiejczuk came crashing forward with a massive overhand left but Magomedov tied him up in the clinch forcing the fight to the cage. After seperating Oleksiejczuk again came in range recklessly to throw a left hand, but Magomedov timed a beautiful elbow that folded the polish contender. Magomedov pounced on a hurt Oleksiejczuk and secured his neck for a guillotine submission victory.
After hurting the very dangerous Oleksiejczuk on the feet, Magomedov showed how well-rounded his game is finishing the fight on the floor. Magomedov called out the former champion Israel Adesanya following the win wanting a matchup with the middlweight great. Adesanya is currently ranked #8 in the world at the weightclass.
Official Result: Abus Magomedov def. Michal Oleksiejczuk via R1 SUB (Guillotine), 3:25
