The undefeated Russian barely gave Julius Walker a chance to settle into the fight, detonating a crushing right hand seconds after the opening bell that shut the lights out and delivered one of the fastest, most devastating knockouts of the night at UFC Baku on Saturday. If there were any questions about Yakhyaev’s place in the division before this fight, they disappeared the moment Walker hit the canvas.

Round 1 – Yakhyaev wasted absolutely no time.

As soon as the fight started, he uncorked a bomb of a right hand that landed clean and shut Walker’s lights off. Walker hit the canvas in a heap, and when he finally came to, he looked completely confused, like he was trying to figure out where he was and what just happened.

A couple of follow up shots landed before the referee stepped in, but they really weren’t needed. The fight was over the second that right hand connected.

It was a scary display of power from Yakhyaev, who needed just one punch to end the fight and put the rest of the division on notice.

The victory may be exactly what Yakhyaev needed to carve his way into the top 15 and into a big time matchup with contender implications sooner than later.

Official Result: Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Julius Walker via R1 KO, 0:08

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Competing in the 50th fight of his professional career, Ruziboev overwhelmed Andrey Pulyaev from the opening bell, turning an early takedown into complete domination before locking up a first-round choke to earn another emphatic victory at UFC Baku on Saturday.

Round 1 – Ruziboev came out firing, opening the fight with a teep kick before immediately taking the center of the cage. Pulyaev stayed on the outside, throwing lunging left hands as he looked to keep Ruziboev at range, but the veteran never stopped marching forward.

When Pulyaev threw a body kick, Ruziboev caught it and turned it into an easy takedown. Pulyaev worked his way back to the fence and got to his feet, but Ruziboev stayed glued to him with a tight body lock, mixing in knees to the back of the legs.

Once they got back to the middle of the cage, Ruziboev wasted no time taking Pulyaev’s back and dragging him down. He locked in both hooks and started chipping away with punches, patiently setting up the finish. With more than half the round still to go, it felt like it was only a matter of time.

Ruziboev kept peppering Pulyaev with punches, forcing him to defend until the opening finally came. Pulyaev fought the hands as long as he could, but Ruziboev slipped in the short choke and squeezed until his opponent went unconscious.

It was a dominant performance from Nursulton Ruziboev, who celebrated the milestone 50th professional MMA fight with another emphatic finish.

Official Result: Nursulton Ruziboev def. Andrey Pulyaev via R1 SUB (RNC), 3:58

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After frustrating Javier Reyes with his movement for much of the opening round, the Australian uncorked a crushing right hand that dropped the towering featherweight before quickly transitioning to an arm-triangle choke for a first round submission victory at UFC Baku on Saturday. It was a statement win for Ofli, who showed patience, power, and slick grappling to secure the biggest finish of his UFC career.

Round 1 – Ofli came right out and took the center of the cage, but Reyes looked like the much bigger man with a seven-inch reach advantage. Every time Ofli tried to close the distance and get to the body, Reyes was ready to fire back.

That didn’t stop Ofli from getting inside. He landed a clean right hand early and kept moving, making Reyes chase him around the cage. Reyes started coming forward more as the round went on, but he just couldn’t cut the cage off or keep Ofli in front of him.

Ofli kept looking to punch his way into the clinch, but Reyes wasn’t interested. By the midway point of the round, Reyes looked frustrated as Ofli’s movement continued to give him problems.

Then came the turning point.

Ofli blasted Reyes with a huge right hand that sent him crashing to the canvas. He jumped on him looking for the finish, but Reyes briefly used his wrestling to end up on top. It didn’t last long. Ofli quickly reversed the position, locked up an arm-triangle choke, and cranked on it.

A few seconds later, Reyes was was forced to tap.

Huge win for Kaan Ofli, who picked up the biggest finish of his UFC career in impressive fashion.

Official: Kaan Ofli def. Javier Reyes via R1 SUB (Arm Triangle), 4:16

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After getting dropped by a thunderous right hand in the opening round, the Brazilian rallied behind relentless pressure, nonstop volume, and a relentless pace to wear down Bekzat Almakhan and earn a hard-fought unanimous decision victory at UFC Baku on Saturday.

Round 1 – Almakhan took the center of the cage right away while Matsumoto stayed on the outside, circling away from the power hand. Almakhan pumped a few jabs to the body, stalking the Brazilian with his right hand loaded up, waiting for the perfect opening.

When he found it, he let his hands fly. A flurry capped off by a big right hand had Matsumoto firing back, but Almakhan’s lunging attacks did a good job of disrupting the Brazilian’s kicking game.

Then Almakhan landed a huge right hand that dropped Matsumoto. Instead of chasing the finish on the ground, he let Matsumoto back to his feet and went right back to work. The Brazilian tried to answer with pressure and big punches before shooting for a takedown, but Almakhan easily stuffed it.

As the round went on, Almakhan’s right hand kept finding a home, forcing Matsumoto to rely more on his wrestling. His first couple of takedown attempts went nowhere, but he stayed with it. Finally, Matsumoto got underneath Almakhan, lifted him into the air, and slammed him to the mat to close out the round.

Round 2 – Matsumoto came out with a little more urgency in the second, opening the round with a quick combination. Almakhan stayed patient, continuing to stalk him and waiting for another chance to uncork that dangerous right hand.

Matsumoto looked for takedowns early, but Almakhan did a good job keeping his legs out of reach. Instead, it was the Brazilian who started applying the pressure, flipping the script after spending most of the first round backing up.

Almakhan still found success with a nasty right hand that appeared to wobble Matsumoto for a moment, but the Brazilian kept coming. He was throwing more volume, mixing his strikes well, and making Almakhan work every second of the round. Another takedown attempt came up short, but Matsumoto never let off the gas.

He ripped a hard knee to the body, followed it with a head kick, and it looked like Almakhan was starting to slow down. Even with a nasty cut over his left eye, Matsumoto refused to back off. If anything, he got even more aggressive, throwing flying knees, head kicks, and looping hooks from every angle.

He closed the round in style with a wild combination that started with a spinning backfist, flowed into a flurry of punches, and ended with a head kick, stealing the momentum heading into the third.

Round 3 – Matsumoto’s corner spent most of the break worrying about the nasty cut over his left eye, repeatedly telling him he couldn’t afford to take another clean shot there.

The Brazilian didn’t let it slow him down.

He came out applying pressure again, ripping shots to the body and mixing in head kicks. One of those kicks appeared to drift low, and Almakhan immediately called for a timeout. The replay didn’t offer much evidence of a foul, but after a brief break, the action resumed.

Matsumoto picked up right where he left off, walking Almakhan down and forcing him onto the back foot. Almakhan still landed the harder shots, but Matsumoto was winning the numbers game, piling up volume with punches and kicks.

After the halfway point, both fighters started trading combinations in the middle of the cage. Matsumoto mixed things up with a takedown, but Almakhan popped right back to his feet.

Back in striking range, Almakhan fired off another combination before Matsumoto changed levels again. He quickly abandoned the takedown, went back to striking, and ripped more shots to the body.

With 10 seconds left, Almakhan tried to wave Matsumoto into one final exchange, but the Brazilian wasn’t interested. He stayed disciplined, saw out the final seconds, and made it to the scorecards.

Official Result: Jean Matsumoto def. Bekzat Almakhan via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)

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Ahead of his UFC 330 welterweight title clash with Islam Makhachev, the Irish contender announced he’s signed a commercial partnership with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency, adding one of combat sports’ biggest promotional names to his growing team without changing his current management. The timing is notable, with Hearn recently adding heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to his stable and continuing to strengthen his presence in MMA as his rivalry with the UFC evolves.

Garry announced the move on social media on Wednesday.

“Congratulations Matchroom Talent Agency you’ve signed the future. I’m excited to announce Team Future just got bigger. Alongside Vayner Sports, I’ll be joining The Matchroom Talent Agency, who will now work across my commercial interests,” Garry wrote in Instagram.

 

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A post shared by ‘The Future’ Ian Machado Garry (@iangarry)

Garry’s deal with Matchroom is a marketing and commercial deal only reports say. His current representation, Vayner Sports, will stay on as his management team.

The fact that this comes on the heels of Aspinall’s signing with Hearn is definitely something to take note of. Unlike Garry, his deal includes management as well. UFC CEO Dana White didn’t think much of Aspinall signing with Hearn, but it’s to be seen as to how he feels about the next welterweight title challenger working with one of his newest rivals.

Garry will challenge Makhachev for the belt at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia, PA.

The post Ian Garry Signs With Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency appeared first on Cageside Press.

Long before she ever stepped into the UFC, the Brazilian made a promise to herself, and to her first coach, that she’d become a UFC champion within 10 years. After dominating Karol Rosa at UFC Vegas 119 and breaking into the bantamweight top 10, Santos believes she’s right on schedule.

“My first coach, Dr. Helio’s, when we started working together way back in 2017 he told me that once you do something that you’re good at for 10 years, and you put a lot of effort into it, after 10 years you reach your peak,” Santos told reporters including Cageside Press at her post-fight scrum.

“That was 2017, and then I told him ok so I’m starting to train now, in 2027 I’m going to be the UFC champion. Here we are 9 years later, I’m in the UFC top 10, and the only thing in my mind is 2027 is the year I’m going to be the UFC champion.”

Santos never underestimated what Karol Rosa brought to the table. In fact, she admitted the matchup forced her to raise her game, knowing a win over a battle-tested veteran would answer one big question she had about herself.

“When my manager told me that I was going to fight Karol I was like damn that’s going to be a tough fight. I told him I’ll have to be on my best version everywhere. I have to do a great camp to be able to have a good performance against Karol,” she said.

“She’s a girl that has been with everyone, has beaten a lot of tough fighters. It’s so odd when you fight someone who has been there with the best and you don’t know if you are on her level. It was very good for me to come out there, test myself against someone that has faced some of the best fighters in the world. I can be a champion.”

Santos came into UFC Vegas 119 looking to make a statement, and she believes she did exactly that. By controlling Rosa from the moment the fight hit the mat, the Brazilian said she proved her grappling can overwhelm anyone standing across from her.

“This fight was going to be statement to the whole division,” said Santos.

“That my grappling, my Judo, my ground game, that I love to be a suffocating fighter on all of my fights. A lot of people say that when I get ahold of my opponent they will never be able to free themselves. To be able to do that with her just shows the entire division that I can do that to anyone.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Luana Santos above.

The post Luana Santos Eyes UFC Gold in 2027 After Statement Win appeared first on Cageside Press.

After surviving an early scare against Melissa Mullins at UFC Vegas 119, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace settled into the fight, found the armbar she’d been hunting, and reminded everyone why she’s one of the most decorated grapplers to ever step into the UFC. Then she did what every rising contender should do, she called her shot.

“I knew she would only have anything if I had a mistake. Unfortunately, I had a little mistake in the beginning of the fight,” Mesquita told reporters including Cageside Press at her post-fight scrum.

“That’s why I’m there, improving, showing my new version. It didn’t really surprise me because it was my mistake, but I overcame. Showed finally some bottom game, and I’m really happy.”

Mesquita believes moments like the one she faced on Saturday are exactly why she trains at one of the best gyms in the world. Even after finding herself in trouble early, the Brazilian never panicked, trusting that the adversity she battles in the gym every day had already prepared her for the biggest moments inside the cage.

“I train the best team in the world, I train at American Top Team, and now my teammates get me ready to be here. When it happened I have been in worse places during my training camp, and I knew it would be easy to overcome that and get the submission,” she said.

“To be the champion you’ve got to go through everything, every experience, and go over it. I’m just really happy that I finally got my arm bar.”

Mesquita didn’t waste any time calling her shot after the biggest win of her UFC career. With her sights set on climbing the bantamweight rankings, she singled out Ailin Perez as the opponent she wants next, and made it clear the matchup has become personal.

“I’m ready to climb the rankings really quick. I’m looking forward to fighting Ailin Perez. I think she’s #5 right now,” said Mesquita.

“I’m ready to chase that fight. I think she’s very disrespectful inside the cage, I don’t think there is a place to be shaking your ass, so as I told over there, I’m ready to kick her ass and show who’s the lady GOAT.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Bia Mesquita above.

The post Bia Mesquita Fires Shots at Ailin Perez After UFC Vegas 119 Win: ‘I’m Ready to Kick Her Ass’ appeared first on Cageside Press.

After nearly a year away from the Octagon, two tough losses, and the heartbreaking loss of longtime coach Duke Roufus, the featherweight delivered one of the best performances of his career at UFC Vegas 119.

“Haven’t had a finish and I’ve been coming off two losses so it really feels good to get back in there, and show who I am,” Rodriguez told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.

“It means everything to me. I was with Duke for 14 years. He’s one of the reasons why I pursued this journey for so long. He engraved this head kick system in me. I know that he’d be proud of right now.”

Rodriguez made the decision to leave the midwest and go west. The move to Las Vegas came with plenty of sacrifices, but he says the way everyone at Xtreme Couture embraced him from day one has made every challenge worth it.

“I’ve been loving life out here. Feel like I have more sacrifices out here so living in Vegas has definitely been an adjustment to the midwest, but I’m very grateful for my team. It feels really warming that they pushed me since day 1,” he said.

“I’m just this random guy on the team and these guys like show love and support for me. It means the world.”

Rodriguez wasn’t about to start playing matchmaker after the victory over Amil. Instead, the featherweight said his focus is to stay active, keep stacking wins, and let the UFC decide who’s standing across from him next.

“No names right now. I like to stay busy though. Hopefully the UFC does a UFC Noche and if they think that’s a good timeline for me,” said Rodriguez.

“It’s been 10 months since I fought so let’s see what the UFC says. I’ve never turned anybody down. I’ll stay ready.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Christian Rodriguez above.

The post Christian Rodriguez Credits Late Coach, Xtreme Couture After UFC Vegas 119 Win appeared first on Cageside Press.

The undefeated light heavyweight weathered the Moldovan’s early grappling attacks, refused to fall for his veteran tricks, and turned the tide in the second round with a relentless ground and pound assault that earned him the biggest win of his young UFC career at UFC Vegas 119.

Round 1 – The tension was obvious before the opening bell. Cutelaba and Stirling exchanged an intense stare-down during introductions, and when the fight finally started, neither man wasted any time.

Cutelaba came out winging a big overhand right before immediately changing levels for a takedown, driving Stirling into the fence. Stirling reversed the position, but the veteran quickly snatched up a guillotine choke that forced the unbeaten prospect into a brief moment of panic.

Cutelaba held onto the choke as Stirling managed to drag the fight to the mat, only for the Moldovan to sweep and end up on top. Once he finally let go of the submission, Stirling scrambled back to his feet before another takedown attempt of his own was stuffed with ease.

Back on the feet, Stirling started settling into the fight. He found success behind a sharp jab and crisp one-two combinations, while Cutelaba kept loading up on looping overhand rights, looking for one big shot to change everything.

Then Stirling landed what looked like his biggest strike of the round—a nasty knee that appeared to rock Cutelaba. Whether he was actually hurt or simply baiting Stirling into overcommitting was anybody’s guess, but the veteran sold it well.

Stirling stayed disciplined.

Instead of rushing in, he clinched Cutelaba against the fence, only for the veteran to reverse the position with another takedown. Stirling wasted little time getting back to his feet, but Cutelaba clipped him with a sharp elbow on the break.

Moments later, Stirling landed another clean shot that once again had Cutelaba looking wobbly. This time, though, the undefeated Kiwi wasn’t taking the bait. He stayed patient, kept his distance, and refused to give the crafty veteran the opening he was looking for.

Round 2 – Cutelaba came out for the second round with a different look, mixing in leg kicks and push kicks before going right back to what he does best, marching forward throwing heavy overhand rights. The pressure forced Stirling onto the back foot early, but the unbeaten Kiwi answered with kicks to the legs and head to keep the veteran honest.

Cutelaba clipped Stirling with a sharp elbow and changed levels for a takedown, but thought better of it when a spinning elbow came whizzing past his head.

Stirling started finding a home for slicing elbows of his own and even briefly scored a takedown. It didn’t last long.

Cutelaba immediately latched onto a kimura grip and used it to create a wild scramble. Even as it looked like Stirling might take his back, the Moldovan refused to let go of the submission. That persistence paid off, as Cutelaba reversed the position and found himself on top, unloading heavy ground-and-pound while Stirling worked his way back to his feet.

Once they separated, Stirling looked like the fresher fighter. He snapped Cutelaba’s head back with clean punches and dug a hard knee into the body before the veteran answered with another body lock and takedown.

But this time, Stirling had the answer.

The undefeated prospect immediately reversed the position, jumped on top, and unleashed a relentless barrage of punches. Cutelaba covered up but couldn’t escape as Stirling poured on the offense, forcing the referee to step in and wave it off.

With the biggest win of his career, Navajo Stirling stayed undefeated and announced himself as a legitimate player in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.

Official Result: Navajo Stirling def. Ion Cutelaba via R2 TKO, 3:23

The post Navajo Stirling Survives Scare, Finishes Cutelaba at UFC Vegas 119 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Round 1 – Amil came out firing low kicks, but every one of them seemed to trigger an immediate counter from Rodriguez. The veteran was sharp early, timing Amil’s entries with clean right hands and making the undefeated prospect pay for every mistake.

Amil kept attacking the legs, but Rodriguez mixed in takedown attempts to keep him honest. While Amil stuffed the early shots, Rodriguez’s technical striking and movement had him a step ahead throughout the opening minutes.

Another body kick gave Rodriguez an opening, and this time he caught it before turning the exchange into a takedown. Amil quickly got back to his feet, but Rodriguez continued to make him miss, ducking under punches and finding angles that frustrated the aggressive striker.

To his credit, Amil never stopped coming forward. He kept applying pressure despite eating counters, trying to force Rodriguez into a firefight.

Then Rodriguez found the opening he’d been waiting for.

With less than two minutes left in the round, he cracked Amil with a clean right hand before following it up with an absolute missile of a head kick that dropped him to the canvas. Amil somehow survived the knockdown and instinctively shot for a takedown, but Rodriguez was one step ahead. He immediately wrapped up a guillotine choke and squeezed until Amil went unconscious, forcing the referee to step in.

It was a picture-perfect performance from Christian Rodriguez, and his move to Xtreme Couture is already paying dividends with a spectacular first-round submission victory.

Official Result: Christian Rodriguez def. Hyder Amil via R1 SUB (Guillotine), 3:43 

The post Christian Rodriguez Turns Heartbreak Into Triumph, Submits Amil appeared first on Cageside Press.