Michal Oleksiejczuk Archives - Cageside Press

What’s Next: UFC Vegas 113 Winners

Mathis Desjardins — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:42:19 +0000

Our first Apex show of 2026 had some good offerings. UFC Vegas 113 gave us names like Dustin Jacoby, Farid Basharat and Michal Oleksiejczuk who added on to their win streaks, as well as a pair of important ranked matchups at the top of the card. Mario Bautista sent us home on a high note, putting on what might be his best UFC performance thus far. With the first Fight Night of 2026 behind us, let’s look at what’s next for Saturday’s winners.

Mario Bautista

He may not ever become a fan favourite, but Mario Bautista keeps proving he’s a world class fighter. While his previous eight-fight win streak started with four consecutive finishes, the back half was all decisions, including the infamous one against Jose Aldo. It was those decisions that left a sour taste in the fan base’s mouth. This methodical domination of Vinicius Oliveira, capped off by a second round stoppage is exactly what the doctor ordered for Bautista.

Everybody is foaming at the mouth at the idea of Sean O’Malley fighting Cory Sandhagen. After all, it is one of the very best non-title fights the UFC could book right now. However, I do believe the promotion will try to book O’Malley in a Petr Yan rematch, leaving Cory Sandhagen as the odd man out in this equation. That leaves the door open for another rematch, the one Bautista called for in his post-fight interview.

Bautista’s next fight: Cory Sandhagen

Kyoji Horiguchi

Poor guy Amir Albazi has had to endure two separate layoffs of over a year, with the bad Brandon Moreno loss sandwiched in between. And what does he get after overcoming those layoffs? A red hot, rejuvenated Kyoji Horiguchi.

The Japanese fighter made sure Albazi had nothing for him, having him beat everywhere. That’s two very convincing wins for Horiguchi since coming back to the UFC. Usually, he might be in line for a title shot, but the title picture at flyweight has been chaotic since Alexandre Pantoja injured his arm against Joshua Van. And with Manel Kape seemingly at the top of the contenders list, that unfortunately leaves Kyoji on the outside looking in. Taking all of this into account, I think a main event in Japan against Tatsuro Taira is the best way to go.

Horiguchi’s next fight: Tatsuro Taira

Rizvan Kuniev

I would bet a substantial amount of money that this fight will not win Fight of the Year, but Rizvan Kuniev got his first UFC victory and that’s all that matters to him. It’s not just any victory, it’s one that will put him inside the top10. The downside of the fight’s utter lack of drama and entertainment value is that the UFC will be in no rush to put Kuniev in a big fight despite the fact that he just defeated a top5 heavyweight. I think the winner of the upcoming Sergei Spivac/Ante Delija bout is the best he can hope for.

Kuniev’s next fight: Spivac/Delija winner

Michal Oleksiejczuk

It wasn’t that long ago that Michal Oleksiejczuk was staring down the barrel of a three-fight skid with, perhaps, his job on the line. He has since won three straight, with this Fight of the Night over Marc-André Barriault as his latest offering. It’s easy to forget how young he was when he first joined the UFC and after going through some ups and downs, maybe the now 30-year-old Oleksiejczuk is starting to put it all together. I think a fight against fellow middleweight riser Cam Rowston would be a good test for both fighters involved.

Oleksiejczuk’s next fight: Cam Rowston

Farid Basharat

After seeing his brother Javid get back in the win column on the prelims, Farid Basharat made sure that the duo would leave the Apex with two wins. Regardless of what you may think of his actual upside, Basharat has now won 6 UFC bouts while keeping his undefeated record intact. Hardcore fans will tell you how good Jean Matsumoto is despite being 1-2 in his last three outings. Beating him is no easy task and you can add him to the list of fighters who have failed to get hand raised against Basharat. He is long overdue for a shot at a ranked opponent and I think the man who lost in our main event makes a perfect sense as his next opponent.

Basharat’s next fight: Vinicius Oliveira

Dustin Jacoby

After getting knocked out by Dominick Reyes in June of 2024, it looked like Dustin Jacoby’s UFC career was nearing its end. But since then, he has since rattled off three straight KO victories, this latest one earning him a shoutout from his former Glory Kickboxing foe Alex Poatan Pereira. There is no doubt that Jacoby has fought his way back into ranked contention.

There is a card in Macau scheduled for late May. I think Zhang Mingyang versus Dustin Jacoby is a good fight to put on that main card.

Jacoby’s next fight: Zhang Mingyang

The post What’s Next: UFC Vegas 113 Winners appeared first on Cageside Press.

“UFC Soldier” Michal Oleksiejczuk Pushes for Top-15 Opponent

Eddie Law — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:59:16 +0000

Michal Oleksiejczuk extended his win streak to three at UFC Vegas 113, earning a decisive victory over Marc-André Barriault and reminding the division of the pressure and power that once made him a rising contender.

“This win is very important. My win streak is three wins. I feel good, but I have big respect for my opponent,” Oleksiejczuk told reporters including Cageside Press on Saturday night.

“This is real warrior. UFC need this fighters.”

Oleksiejczuk (22-9) praised both the competitiveness and the mentality Barriault brought to the Octagon, noting that the matchup forced him to dig deeper than usual. While the fight went the distance, the Polish striker said the constant pressure and willingness to exchange made it a true test.

“(Barriault) the most tough opponent in my career. I think that yeah because in my past many opponents go around cage, no fight, go back. Only sometimes punch,” he said.

“But this opponent? Go to war. It’s real warrior. UFC loved this fight I know.”

Known for his willingness to step in on short notice and embrace chaos, Oleksiejczuk believes his style has earned him respect inside the organization. After another grueling performance, he made it clear he’s ready for bigger tests and tougher names.

“I think that 90% (of my) fights was crazy. Was crazy war. I think that my boss Mick Maynard, my boss Dana White, give me big fights next,” he said.

“I had a lot of fight when I take short-notice no problem. I make a lot of crazy war. I’m not UFC star, but I am UFC soldier. Every fight was crazy and I think that UFC give me good opponent from top 15 after this fight. I am ready for real war.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Michal Oleksiejczuk above.

The post “UFC Soldier” Michal Oleksiejczuk Pushes for Top-15 Opponent appeared first on Cageside Press.

Bautisa Gets Performance Bonus, Oleksiejczuk-MAB Earns FOTN at UFC Vegas 113

Jay Anderson — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 05:48:44 +0000

The bonuses are official for UFC Vegas 113, the first Fight Night event of the UFC’s Paramount+ era.

With post-fight bonuses upped to $100,000 U.S. (double their previous 50K value) and a new $25,000 finish bonus for any finishes outside the Fight of the Night/Performance of the Night, there was big money up for grabs. With just four finishes on the UFC Vegas 113 card, however, everyone with a stoppage had a solid chance of hitting it big.

In the end, the promotion awarded main event bantamweight Mario Bautista one of the two 100K Performance of the Night bonuses. Against Vinicius Oliveira, who looked to be the much larger man, Bautista’s energy never faltered, and he eventually earned himself a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

The second Performance bonus went to bantamweight Jakub Wiklacz, who forced a tap from Muin Gafurov in the final second of their fight. Gafurov, who had a good chance at winning on the scorecards, played it off like he hadn’t tapped, but a review by the officials showed he had, at literally the final second.

Nikolay Veretennikov and Dustin Jacoby were the other finishers on the night, and both should be taking home $25,000.

Fight of the Night, meanwhile, went to a hard-hitting middleweight affair between Michal Oleksiejczuk and Marc-Andre Barriault. Poland’s Oleksiejczuk took that one on the scorecards, with MAB taking the second round, and the third being the closest of the fight.

The post Bautisa Gets Performance Bonus, Oleksiejczuk-MAB Earns FOTN at UFC Vegas 113 appeared first on Cageside Press.

UFC Vegas 113: Michal Oleksiejczuk Slugs It Out With Marc-Andre Barriault

Jay Anderson — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 02:33:28 +0000

Middleweights Michał Oleksiejczuk and Marc-Andre Barriault clashed on the UFC Vegas 113 main card on Saturday.

Canada’s “Power Bar” entered off a loss to the highly touted Shara Bullet in a Fight of the Night effort, while Michał Oleksiejczuk of Poland had won two straight.

Oleksiejczuk held center early, and ate a powerful body kick from Barriault for his troubles. Oleksiejczuk was almost reaching in at times, leaning forward and trying to close the distance. He did, with a left hand that snapped Barriault’s head back, after the Canadian attacked with another kick. Oleksiejczuk attached, Barriault retreated, and regrouped, later landing a solid shot, and a leg kick, of his own. Oleksiejczuk stayed right in his face, however, and later added a nasty body kick of his own. A left conected for Oleksiejczuk as Barriault was retreating.

Coming into the final minute, Oleksiejczuk ripped the body, and Barriault slung heavy leather in return. Oleksiejczuk went back to the side of the body with a kick. At the 10 second mark, Oleksiejczuk caught a kick, hit Barriault upside the head, and dumped him on his back.

Round two saw Oleksiejczuk work his jab, and Barriault struggle to find an opening. A bit of hand fighting ensued, with the pair in opposing stances. Mid-round, however, Barriault managed to make things ugly, getting in a clinch, then pressuring Oleksiejczuk, who appeared to have been hurt.

Another clinch, and Barriault got into some phone booth fighting, adding in a knee. Oleksiejczuk answered by going back to the body. A third clinch followed. He began adding standing elbows. A big uppercut from the Canadian missed. Oleksiejczuk was bloodied along the hairline care of one of those elbows. A spinning back fist landed for Barriault in the final minute.

The fight was very much up for grabs in round three, assuming Barriault had won the second. 90 seconds in, Oleksiejczuk was rocked, and a right hand connected for him moments later. Two big strikes, and Oleksiejczuk was retreating. Not for long, as he chose to pursue a takedown, but didn’t have it. They’d finish the rest of the round going back-and-forth in the feet, swinging to the final bell in a very entertaining affair.

After earning his third consecutive victory care of a unanimous decision win, Oleksiejczuk called for a ranked opponent next.

Official Result: Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Marc-Andre Barriault by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

The post UFC Vegas 113: Michal Oleksiejczuk Slugs It Out With Marc-Andre Barriault appeared first on Cageside Press.

Michal Oleksiejczuk Wants Fight with Marvin Vettori Following UFC 319

Eddie Law and Jay Anderson — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 01:53:21 +0000

Chicago — Having joined Brazil’s Fighting Nerds team, UFC 319 winner Michal Oleksiejczuk is seeing his move to South America for training camps pay off.

Oleksiejczuk (21-9, 1NC) earned a TKO win over veteran Gerald Meerschaert at the United Center on Saturday, and felt his overall game was better.

“This is my second time in Brazil, and my skills, my cage game, my ground game, all are better. And I am happy,” he told media outlets including Cageside Press. “My corner gave me great energy. This is a good moment in my life.”

There were questions as to the stoppage, and whether it should have come sooner. The Polish middleweight was prepared regardless.

“If the referee don’t stop this fight, now I [have] very good cardio, very good ground n’ pound. I control my opponent all rounds, five minutes, no problem.”

As for his opponent, “Gerald is a great fighter. I like fighters who fight with everyone,” stated Oleksiejczuk. “I have respect for him, and for everybody. We are real warriors.”

Touting Meerchaert’s “great jiu-jitsu,” Oleksiejczuk noted that he had to be wary of GM3’s ground game. “I did my plan. I’m happy.”

That has led him to setting his sights a little higher. Now on a two-fight win streak, Michal Oleksiejczuk is looking to fight one of Italy’s best.

“I want a fight with Marvin Vettori. I think that this is a very good fight because Marvin is from Europe, I am from Europe, Poland, and I am ready. And I think a lot of people want this fight.”

Vettori has never been finished, but Oleksiejczuk would like to be the first to do so. “I think this is my time, and I can break this guy. I’m sure.”

Watch the full UFC 319 post-fight press conference with Michal Oleksiejczuk above.

The post Michal Oleksiejczuk Wants Fight with Marvin Vettori Following UFC 319 appeared first on Cageside Press.

UFC 319: Michał Oleksiejczuk’s Left Hand Too Much for Gerald Meerschaert

Daniel Vreeland — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 01:19:22 +0000

UFC 319 also saw the saxophone-playing, mustachioed Gerald Meerschaert look to get back in the win column. Back-to-back losses to Reiner de Ridder and Brad Tavares had him desperately looking to get back in the win column.

Looking to thwart those efforts is Polish-born Michal Oleksiejczuk. The middleweight recently relocated his fight camp to Brazil where he now works with the Fighting Nerds. Saturday would see the fruits of those labors.

Oleksiejczuk came out looking like the much faster fighter. His left hand was landing with regularity and had Meerschaert desperately diving for takedowns. None of them were close and instead he was eating punches for his troubles. A left hand knocked the mouthguard out of the mouth of Meerschaert. A second one dropped him and the ground a pound wrapped things up.

Official Result: Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Gerald Meerschaert by TKO (Punches) – Round 1 (3:03)

The post UFC 319: Michał Oleksiejczuk’s Left Hand Too Much for Gerald Meerschaert appeared first on Cageside Press.

Now a Fighting Nerd, UFC 314’s Michal Oleksiejczuk Ready for Big Fights

Jay Anderson — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 01:04:29 +0000

Miami — Polish middleweight Michal Oleksiejczuk snapped a three-fight skid with a TKO finish of Sedriques “SD” Dumas on the preliminary card of UFC 314 on Saturday.

The fight saw a big move pay off for Oleksiejczuk (20-9, 1NC), as he had joined one of Brazil’s hottest fight camps, Fighting Nerds, in preparation for the bout.

“This is my first preparation in Fighting Nerds, and I’m a better fighter. Now I am ready for big fights,” Oleksiejczuk told media outlets including Cageside Press following his win. “My striking, wrestling, and grappling is better than last fight. And I am ready for the next fight.

“Camp in Fighting Nerds was very hard for me,” noted Oleksiejczuk, adding that he made the trip to Brazil to prepare outside of Poland for the first time. “It was very not comfortable for me, but a very good choice. I showed it tonight.”

Now, Brazil is Oleksiejczeuk’s second home, and he plans to head back there for a few months following the bout. He’ll also continue training with Fighting Nerds. “This is progress for me,” he stated, thanking team’s coaches, including Caio Borralho. In a twist, Borralho is a former opponent who defeated the Pole in 2023.

Asked whether he was feeling at all under the gun ahead of UFC 314, and whether coming in off three losses had changed his game plan, Michal Oleksiejczuk explained that real fighters don’t feel pressure.

“I don’t feel pressure because I am real fighter. It’s not important for me, lose or win. I fight with everybody,” he stated. “Mick Maynard called me, he said he wanted my fight at the event and I said ‘let’s go, let’s go.’ I am [a] warrior. My last two fights were short notice, and this is no problem for me. I want to be the best, because I go to Brazil and train with Caio Barralho and all the best guys with this club. And then that’s all. I am [a] warrior.”

Watch Michal Oleksiejczuk’s full UFC 314 post-fight media appearance above.

The post Now a Fighting Nerd, UFC 314’s Michal Oleksiejczuk Ready for Big Fights appeared first on Cageside Press.

Michal Oleksiejczuk Blitzes Dumas, Scores R1 TKO

Bryson Hester — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 00:08:56 +0000

In the final fight of the early prelims for UFC 314, middleweights Sedriques Dumas and Michal Oleksiejczuk clashed to determine who would move up the ranks. The fight had all the makings to be both violent and over in a hurry as Oleksiejczuk had lost three of his last four, pitting his back up against the wall.

Dumas, in contrast, had quietly built momentum- having won three of his last four, all by way of unaimous decision.

Dumas struck first, firing out kicks and feinting jabs to keep the distance. Michal showed off some good head movement and ate a kick to the body. Oleksiejczuk looked confident and moved forward, stalking Dumas, not giving him much space. Michal immediately found a home for his left hand going to the body and upstairs while measuring with the other hand. Midway thru the round, Michal cracked Dumas with a left hand that wobbled and melted the Floridian. Michal swarmed, winging powerful shots at Dumas who was defending them pretty effectively. It was not a good visual however, as Oleksiejczuk was raining down bombs and Dumas was unwilling to risk eating a shot to move from the position. After a few more seconds the referee stepped in to call off the fight, much to the dismay and immediate verbal protest from Dumas, who threw up his arms in disgust.

When the replays were shown, the left hand shot that dropped Dumas wasn’t clean at all. Michal appeared to have connected with mostly forearm but definitely knocked his opponent’s equilibrium off.

In the post-fight octagon interview Michal took the time to thank his team the Fighting Nerds. Oleksiejczuk gave a special shoutout to #6 ranked UFC middleweight, Caio Borralho, a former opponent, now in his corner. Oleksiejczuk ended his interview with a gutsy call out of Paul Craig.

Official Result: Michal Oleksiejczuk defeats Sedriquers Dumas via TKO, Round 1, 2:49

The post Michal Oleksiejczuk Blitzes Dumas, Scores R1 TKO appeared first on Cageside Press.

What’s Next: UFC Abu Dhabi Losers

Bryson Hester — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 01:34:46 +0000

UFC Abu Dhabi featured another card stacked full of talented fighters following up the previous weekend’s PPV, UFC 304. Just two of the seven undercard fights delivered a finish. However, the six-fight main card delivered with a couple of finishes and a Fight of the Night winning co-main event.

In the main event, a pivotal bantamweight showdown played out between Umar Nurmagomedov and Cory Sandhagen. At the end of the night, the Dagestani fighter walked away with a unanimous decision victory and seemingly secured himself a title shot. A few fighters on this card are staring down losing streaks and looking for reasonable next steps.

Cory Sandhagen

Cory Sandhagen was defeated in a five round chess match of a main event that saw him falling to Umar Nurmagomedov on Saturday. Sandhagen entered the bout as the #2 ranked UFC bantamweight while Umar was ranked at #10 in the division.

Sandhagen entered the fight riding a three-fight win streak having defeated the likes of Song Yadong, Marlon Vera and most recently Rob Font. The streak stemmed from Cory’s 2021 loss to Petr Yan for the UFC Interim bantamweight belt. Sandhagen’s fight with Umar makes four fights in a row in the main event slot.

Avoiding a couple of rematches a fight with the winner of the Jose Aldo vs. Mario Bautista at UFC 307 on October 5 could be next. Either match-up makes sense for Corey. Aldo defeated Jonathan Martinez in May and was on a three-fight boxing ‘retirement’ from MMA. Prior to his short-lived retirement, Jose had won three out of his last four fights only losing to top contender, Merab Dvalishvili. Meanwhile Mario Bautista is on a six-fight win streak, most recently defeating Ricky Simon in January by unanimous decision. Aldo also has a #8 ranking next to his name in the bantamweight division.

Sandhagen’s next fight: Jose Aldo vs. Mario Bautista winner

Michal Oleksiejczuk

Michal Oleksiejczuk was defeated in the co-main event of UFC Abu Dhabi by the rising undefeated prospect Shara Magomedov. The Polish fighter put up a valiant effort as the bout ultimately ended up winning Fight of the Night honors. Oleksiejczuk has now lost three fights in a row all since the beginning of 2024. Michal was submitted first round by Michel Pereira in March and then subbed again by Kevin Holland three months later at UFC 302.

Ultimately, Michal is 3-4 as a UFC middleweight since moving to the division in 2022. Michal’s wins during that time are first round finishes over fighters Sam Alvey, Cody Brundage and Chidi Njokuani.

Albert Duraev would be a good fight for Oleksiejczuk. Michal and Albert were supposed to fight at the end of 2022, but Duraev withdrew from the bout. Duraev is 2-2 with the UFC, since being signed off the 2022 season of the Contender Series. His last time out, was a second-round submission defeat against Jun Yong Park, in July of last year. Duraev’s last win was a common opponent in Chidi Njokuani who he defeated by split decision last March.

Oleksiejczuk’s next fight: Albert Duraev

Marlon Vera

Chito Vera lost a disappointing unanimous decision to the former UFC flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Abu Dhabi. To add insult to injury, Chito was dropped for the first time in his career. Vera is now on a two-fight losing skid for just the second time in his entire pro MMA career and has lost three of his last four. Marlon was last in action at UFC 299 in March when he was shut out in his five round main event rematch to Sean O’Malley for the 135lbs. strap.

Vera entered the bout as the #4 ranked UFC bantamweight while Figueiredo was ranked at #6 in the weight class.

A fight with #14 ranked, Jonathan Martinez, should be the next matchup for Chito. Martinez was on a 6-fight win streak featuring leg kick finishes over Cub Swanson and Adrian Yanez. Last time Martinez was in the octagon back in May, he had his win streak snapped by a returning Jose Aldo.

Vera’s next fight: Jonathan Martinez

Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson lost yet another bout at UFC Abu Dhabi, this time getting finished in the first round by Michael Chiesa. Ferguson has now lost eight fights in a row and has not won since defeating Donald Cerrone in mid-2019.

The 40-year-old’s record with the UFC has now fallen to 15-9.

In the post-fight interview, Ferguson laid down one glove and semi-retired as his fight with Chiesa did mark the end of his UFC contract. Ferguson may very well fight again, but a fight under the promotional giant’s banner is almost unimaginable at this point.

Ferguson’s next fight: Retirement (maybe)

Lupita Godinez

Lupita “Loopy” Godinez fell to Mackenzie Dern as she lost a unanimous decision on Saturday. Loopy entered the fight with a #10 ranking in the UFC strawweight division while her opponent was ranked at #7. Godinez has now lost two fights in a row as she lost to budding contender, Virna Jandiroba, in March. Before that, Lupita was on a very impressive four-fight win streak.

Lupita should fight either Amanda Ribas or Tecia Pennington in her next bout. Ribas is the #8 ranked strawweight in the UFC, while Pinheiro is ranked at #12. Ribas switches between both the flyweight and strawweight divisions and in her most recent bout lost to former strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas, at UFC Denver. The bout was at flyweight and a main event. Her last win at 115lbs. was last November when she finished #12 ranked, Luana Pinheiro, in the third round.

Tecia Pennington already has a bout booked for October 5 against Carla Esparza. Pennington’s opponent, former UFC strawweight champion, Carla Esparza, recently announced that she’d be retiring after the fight. Even though currently unranked, and on a two-fight losing skid, a fight opposite of Tecia could make sense. Pennington’s last two losses have been a pair of split decisions against now #7 ranked, Mackenzie Dern, in 2022 and against #11 ranked, Tabatha Ricci, in May. Also, Pennington’s last win was in 2021, to the now #9 ranked Angela Hill.

Godinez’s next fight: Tecia Pennington or Amanda Ribas

Elves Brener

Elves Brener was finished late in his fight against Joel Alvarez to start off the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi. Brener is now on a two-fight losing streak as he entered Saturday coming off a unanimous decision loss to Myktybek Orolbai at UFC 301 in May. Elves is now 3-2 with the UFC being signed last February. Brener has a split decision win over Zubaira Tukhugov and finishes over Guram Kutateladze and Kaynan Kruschewsky.

In short, all of Brener’s wins in the UFC have been impressive and he has been very active.

Elves should fight the loser of Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics on UFC 306 on September 14. Brener was matched up to compete against Esteban Ribovics last November, but his opponent withdrew. Esteban is a veteran of the 2022 season of the Contender Series and is 2-1 with the UFC. His most recent fight was a 37-second head kick KO of Terrance McKinney in May. Zellhuber is also a Contender Series vet, but from the 2021 season. Daniel also dropped his first fight with the UFC and hasnt lost since, ripping off three wins. Zellhuber was last in action in February when he won a unanimous decision over Francisco Prado.

Brener’s next fight: Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics loser

The post What’s Next: UFC Abu Dhabi Losers appeared first on Cageside Press.

Shara Bullet, Oleksiejczuk Share Fight of the Night at UFC Abu Dhabi

Jay Anderson — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 15:34:40 +0000

A fight cobbled together on short notice to fill in as co-main event has earned Fight of the Night honors at UFC Abu Dhabi.

The Saturday card, airing in the afternoon for most U.S. viewers, unfolded on broadcast network ABC, and was to have featured the return of Nick Diaz, taking on Brazilian welterweight Vicente Luque.

A snag arrived shortly after: Diaz had troubles obtaining a visa to travel to the UAE, something that quite frankly should have been easily foreseeable, given his name is practically synonymous with marijuana, not to mention the number of fight and non-fight related altercations and incidents he’s been involved in over the years.

Instead, Shara Bullet and Michal Oleksiejczuk were called upon to fill in, leading to a back-and-forth battle where both men were hurt at times. Shara Magomedov had to dig deep in the third but stuck it out, winning a unanimous decision on the scorecards.

That earned Magomedov and Oleksiejczuk Fight of the Night honors at the event. Performance of the Night bonuses, meanwhile, went to Joel Alvarez, who opened up the main card against Elves Brener, and Azamat Murzakanov. Light heavyweight Murzakanov returned to action after over a year on the sidelines, improving to 14-0 with a knockout of Alonzo Menifield.

All four bonus winners will pocket $50,000 for their efforts at UFC Abu Dhabi.

The post Shara Bullet, Oleksiejczuk Share Fight of the Night at UFC Abu Dhabi appeared first on Cageside Press.