While the promotion doesn’t hand out post-fight bonuses, something Bastaev made note of following his win, his battle with Hawaii’s Ty Gwerder was Fight of the Night material.

Improving to 11-4 with the victory, Bastaev admitted to having thoughts of quitting during a difficult opening round.

“To be honest, after throwing the head kick, I think he question mark kicked me. And because my last fight was in September of 2020, I’m like— you can be tough in the gym, but a fight is a fight, it’s a different vibe. I was trying to take all the bullsh*t from my head. After he kicked me, I’m like ‘I think it’s time to give up,'” Bastev admitted following his unanimous decision victory. “And then I’m staying. I’m like ‘okay, I’m going to keep going.’ Then another punch, 1-2. Like f*ck. It hurt. I’m sorry for my language. It hurt.” Again, Bastaev had thoughts of quitting on the fight, but he heard his corner urging him on. “Three minutes, two minutes.”

Bastaev told himself, make it through at least one round. In the end, he went all three. “I knew he was going to start gassing out after the second and third round. I’m still surprised with the decision, I felt it was like a draw or split decision. But I didn’t see the fight. I have to see it. But in my head, he kicked and punched me so many times. Hat’s off to him, he didn’t give up too.”

Like those watching at the Mohegan Sun Arena and at home, Bastaev was impressed with his opponent’s toughness. “Nobody gets away from my triangle. He got away three times,” he noted. And while Bastaev admits to not being a high-level BJJ guy, “it means something.”

With his debut successful, the middleweight is now looking ahead to a possible fall return. “If Bellator needs me here, I’m gonna be here. Or, they have a next show in Moscow,” said Bastaev, adding that if the promotion needs someone in his weight class, he’s on board. “I wasn’t home for 13 years, I would love to fight in front of my people,” he added. “I can represent Russia, U.S.A. I’m a citizen of both countries, so I’m proud to represent anyone. If Bellator needs me, I’m going to try to put on a show like this.”

Watch the full Bellator 264 post-fight press conference with Khadzhi Bastaev above.

The post Bellator 264: Khadzhi Bastaev Wants to Fight At Home After 13-Year Absence appeared first on Cageside Press.

Just a week ago, in the fifth installment of DWCS 2020, Knight earned himself a shot at the UFC proper. Now, it’s Nchukwi’s turn — despite being just 3-0 and not having fought since defeating Knight.

Jackson-Wink MMA product Phil Hawes will also compete Tuesday night. “Megatron” appeared on the Contender Series back in 2017, and while he came up short there, he hasn’t lost since, putting together three straight wins split between Bellator MMA and Brave CF.

Undefeated prospects are always worth keeping an eye on, especially when they’ve hit double digits. That’s the case for Aliaskhab Khizriev, with a 12-0 record entering the night. While the level of competition Khizriev faced early in his career was underwhelming, his last victory came against a name UFC fans will be very, very familiar with: Rousimar Palhares. Khizriev not only escaped with his leg intact, but managed to finish the Brazilian within a minute via ground and pound. That step up in competition coupled with an unblemished record have many observers high on his chances at a strong future in the UFC.

As always, the action gets underway at 8PM ET, live on ESPN+ (UFC Fight Pass internationally). Check back for results as the night unfolds.

For his part, Aliaskhab Khizriev wasted no time taking down Henrique Shiguemoto, and quickly took the back, locking in the rear-naked choke. Claiming the win in under a minute, the middleweight (who has also fought at welterweight) couldn’t have done much more to secure a UFC deal.

Drako Rodriguez clearly got the memo. Securing his own submission win with a triangle, he put away Mana Martinez in under three minutes. Martinez was locked up tight enough that he went to sleep before he could tap.

Phil Hawes got it as well. A big right hand sealed the deal, knocking down Khadzhi Bestaev with follow-up strikes a mere formality.

Church vs. Blackledge wound up being the first fight on week six of the Contender Series to leave the opening round. Blackledge’s takedowns were the story early. That, and low blows. Early in the second, the action was halted by by a low knee on Church. A second knee went upstairs, adding insult to injury. Or just more injury. Church opted not to take the full time allotted for recovery, and was soon in danger again. However, this time it was Church landing low, with a kick to the cup. When the action resumed, Blackledge earned another takedown, working in some shots to the body and head. Blackledge would press hard in the third, and while he couldn’t get the finish, he controlled to the bell, earning the decision win.

Nchukwi vs. Matavao was about the clearest example of power vs. speed you’ll find in modern MMA. Nchukwi frankly dwarfed his opponent, landing by far the more powerful strikes. But Matavao was willing to throw, and when he did, he threw a lot. He was rocked early, however, and grazed by a kick later in the round. That or the follow-up punch opened up a small cut.

Nchukwi didn’t take much time in the second, flooring Matavao early with a heavy head kick. Matavao was down for a while after that kick, but did recover and sit up under his own power.

Dana White’s Contender Series Season 4, Week 6 Results

Tafon Nchukwi def. Al Matavao by knockout (head kick), Round 2, 2:01
Sherrard Blackledge def. Cameron Church by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Phil Hawes def. Khadzhi Bestaev by TKO, Round 1, 1:18
Drako Rodriguez def. Mana Martinez by technical submission (triangle choke), Round 1, 2:22
Aliaskhab Khizriev def. Henrique Shiguemoto by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 0:50

Contracts: Aliaskhab Khizriev, Drako Rodriguez, Phil Hawes, Tafon Nchukwi. Sherrard Blackledge invited back for a second fight this November.

The post Dana White’s Contender Series Season 4, Week 6 Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Thing is, Tafon has not fought since that win, which came last November. Still, big things are expected of the light heavyweight, with the 205lb division badly in need of fresh blood.

That’s just one of five compelling bouts this week, so let’s get right to our preview and predictions.

Light Heavyweight: Tafon Nchukwi vs. Al Matavao

Tale of the Tape

Pros and Cons

Who has the advantage?

Striking: Nchukwi
Speed: Nchukwi
Output/Volume: Nchukwi
Knockout Power: Nchukwi
Chin: Nchukwi
Kickboxing: Nchukwi
Footwork: Nchukwi
Wrestling: Neither
Grappling: Neither
Submissions: Neither
Cardio: Nchukwi

Prediction

Although Al Matavao has much more pro experience than Tafon Nchukwi, this is a big mismatch in favor of Nchukwi. The fight will most likely stay standing and in every aspect, Tafon has the advantage. What really stands out has got to be the physicality of Nchukwi. Matavao is a very small 205lb’er standing at 5’8″. That makes him even smaller than Kelvin Gastelum. I expect Tafon to bully Al Matavao around on DWCS and put him away quickly.

The post DWCS 2020 Week 6 Breakdown and Predictions appeared first on Cageside Press.