Ryan Loder vs. Ismail Naurdiev
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Naurdiev (-130); Loder (+110)

Round 1
Two knockout-friendly middleweights will try to bop one another on the schnoz for the next 15 minutes or fewer. Referee Dan Movahedi will draw the charge as Naurdiev (24-8, 3-3 UFC) and Loder (7-2, 1-1 UFC) prepare for mutual combat. Fists are bumped before they are traded.
Naurdiev advances behind his outstretched left hand, fingers pointing straight at his opponent’s face. He opens up with a huge right hand after about 30 seconds of waiting, and the air is the only thing struck by it. Loder holds out his jab, and Naurdiev reaches him with a front kick and a right hand over the top that makes him smile. Loder charges at him behind four consecutive straight lefts, and Naurdiev’s grin grows even wider. Naurdiev resets and works his way forward.
Suddenly coiling back a right hand, he releases a head-seeking missile that lands about as cleanly as one can. Loder is out before the back of his head clatters lifelessly off the canvas, and Naurdiev knows that his work here is done.
Although Movahedi gets between them, Naurdiev is already raising his hands in the air and celebrating with his team. On autopilot, Loder somehow rolls over, but he is still out as he flops right down on his face. Movahedi and the medical professionals bring him back around, and Naurdiev leaps atop the cage to take in the cheers from the adoring masses in Qatar. While Naurdiev had already claimed half of his pro wins by knockout, it is the first time he has notched a clean KO since 2017. It could not have come at a better time.

The Official Result
Ismail Naurdiev def. Ryan Loder R1 1:26 via KO (Punch)

Ismail Naurdiev vs. Jun Yong Park
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Park (-180), Naurdiev (+150)

Round 1
Firmly back in the confines of the UFC roster after taking seven fights elsewhere, Naurdiev (24-7, 3-2 UFC) has a lot to prove and some time to do it as he will reach the age of 29 in August. The relative elder statesman in this middleweight match is Park (18-6, 8-3 UFC), who will be entering into his 12th bout as a member of the organization. For this classic matchup of Austria vs. South Korea, referee Lukasz Bosacki will be the third in the Octagon. The fighters bump fists, and Naurdiev resides in the center of the cage attacking the body. Park responds with an overhand right, but Naurdiev’s volume is consistent with jabs and low kicks and the occasional power strike. They tie up for a second, and Naurdiev breaks off and drills Park with three punches that make him flinch and have to blink it out. Park responds with power, but Naurdiev swarms him with a trio of fists that get his attention again. Park swings mightily, and the Austrian keeps his range and sways out of the way from the worst of them. A right hand from Park reddens up Naurdiev’s face, but he gives it right back and bends Park’s nose a bit. The middleweights trade blows up top, with Park headhunting while Naurdiev opens up with a right hand that the Korean rolls with. Naurdiev cracks Park with a flurry, and Park steels himself and pays him back. Naurdiev’s punches are accurate, quick and painful, but Park is an “Iron Turtle” slowly working his way forward. The nickname is perfect for Park, who displays durability and eventually gets through. Naurdiev eats a stern right hand that makes him back off, and he pushes out with his fingers outstretched and swipes Park in the eye. Naurdiev is immediately apologetic, and Park does not take long to recover after Bosacki calls it. Naurdiev opens up with two hooks when they resume, and Park works his way forward behind a jab. Naurdiev flashes out two punches and then a knee to the body, and Park knees him back and takes one to the groin. Naurdiev says he is fine, and Park walks him down and blasts him in the face. Naurdiev rips the body with a left, and he shakes Park up with a right hand. Park takes a deep breath and explodes with a right hand that staggers Naurdiev. This rock-em sock-em battle continues as Park puts his foot slowly but comfortably on the gas, no-selling Naurdiev’s biggest blows and tripping Naurdiev up and possibly dropping him. Whether the knockdown was a knockdown or a slip may weigh heavily on the scores of the round, which ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Park
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Park

Round 2
When the round begins, Naurdiev starts by pushing off with his left hand and jamming it into Park’s eye socket. Bosacki calls time and tells Naurdiev to watch himself but does not take a point on the second poke. They restart, and Park rushes forward for a takedown and walks through a flying knee. Park drops to a knee, and Naurdiev blasts him in the face with an illegal knee. Bosacki immediately calls that it was a foul, and Park’s left eye is shredded open as blood streams down his face. Park stays on his seat for a minute, and Bosacki is advised by referee Herb Dean of his options. Park cannot open his eye as he gets to his feet, and he crouches back down as the physician attends to the wound. After two-plus minutes, Park stands up, and he leans on the fence as he speaks to the officials through an interpreter. Bosacki asks the doctor to check if Park can continue, and they test Park’s vision by covering his good eye. Park still cannot open his eye three minutes into the break, but somehow he is cleared to continue as the doctor issues a thumbs-up. Bosacki deducts two points from Naurdiev, who expresses disappointment in learning that Park’s knee was down. Park is able to get going after all, and after over four minutes of recovery and Bosacki checking them back in, he is enraged and runs towards Naurdiev to take him down. Naurdiev defends with hacking elbows to the side of the dome, hopping on one foot while Park holds the other in the air. Park wants to keep things tight, and Naurdiev knees him in the face when tied up. Naurdiev leans against his opponent until breaking off with an elbow, and he aims two left hands on the damaged eye and backs off. Park wipes his eye and digs an uppercut to the ribs before pushing Naurdiev to the wall. Naurdiev turns the corner and drops down for a double-leg takedown, and Park defends properly but is still lifted and slammed to the ground. The Austrian takes Park’s back and gets a hook in, searching for a choke that does not come. Park scrambles, working his way to his knees and then upright. Park puts a knee down to prevent another knee on the melon, and he turns Naurdiev around and muscles him to the mat. Park uses his weight to drag Naurdiev from the side, sliding his own hook in and loops his left arm under the chin. Naurdiev has the other limb controlled, and Park smacks him with his free hand. Park goes after one final choke, but the round ends with Naurdiev needing a finish in Round 3.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-7 Park
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-7 Park
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-7 Park

Round 3
Park is a man on a mission, pushing the pace and drilling Naurdiev with punches up top and to the midsection. The body shots have taken their toll on the Austrian, as Park is able to back him up and work him down to the mat. Park is on the side of Naurdiev with a hook around his leg, looking for a choke but bailing on it to take mount for a moment. Naurdiev turns to surrender his back briefly, but Park remains in a dominant position wearing Naurdiev down. Naurdiev grabs the fence to adjust himself, and Bosacki grumbles at him. Park slowly bowls Naurdiev over, drowning him with short right hands and top control. Park reams his opponent with an elbow to the side of the head, and he softens Naurdiev up with punches until Naurdiev explodes to turn to his back. Park gladly takes his back and secures both hooks, and he irritates Naurdiev with punches to soften him up. Park hunts for a choke, and Naurdiev defends his neck but has little else to offer with about a minute left in the match. Naurdiev pushes his feet off the wall in hopes of freeing himself, and Park waves to the crowd while in dominant position. With a second left, Park wraps up the rear-naked choke, and if he had more time, he likely would have finished the job. Instead, they reach the final horn.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Park (30-24 Park)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-8 Park (29-25 Park)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Park (30-24 Park)

The Official Result
Jun Yong Park def. Ismail Naurdiev via Unanimous Decision (29-26, 29-26, 29-25)

Ismail Naurdiev vs. Bruno Silva
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Basharat (-625), Hugo (+455)

Round 1
Fresh off a prolonged stint in Brave CF—one where he only went .500 while getting finished three times—Austria’s Naurdiev (23-7, 2-2 UFC) has somehow worked his way back to the organization while moving up to 185 pounds. His comeback draws powerhouse Silva (23-11, 4-5 UFC), who has bricks for fists but has struggled to land them cleanly as of late. High finish rates of 78% and 87% collide, which puts referee Mark Smith on notice while likely letting the judges take it easy. Gloves are touched before they are traded, and Silva strikes first with a sharp guard-splitting jab. Silva flicks out a few more, and Naurdiev’s nose is already reddening. Naurdiev opens up with wide punches and a power low kick, and Silva absorbs a flush body kick on the way back. Silva pushes out another jab, and Naurdiev goes for one to the midsection. Silva throws off-balance and gets countered with an overhand right, and his offense slows. He attempts a one-two and a low kick, and Naurdiev responds with a right hand over the top. Silva tosses a high kick that gets caught, and Naurdiev uses it to pushes his man to the fence. Silva sprawls with his back to the cage, and he posts off one hand to stop himself from being taken down. Naurdiev opens up with an elbow and a few punches to break, and as Silva throws back, Naurdiev whips a head kick at him. Silva chops at the front leg, turns around slowly, and gets nailed by a much quicker Naurdiev. The Austrian by way of Morocco shoots for a potential takedown, dragging Silva to his hands but not to the mat. Naurdiev leans on his opponent until Silva stands up, and he knees the Brazilian in the gut. Both men score elbows as they split up, and Silva attacks a low kick on the break. Naurdiev shoots in for a double-leg takedown, putting “Blindado” on his seat and hooking his legs around Silva’s. Silva bursts back to his feet, and Naurdiev hops onto his back and immediately starts fishing for a rear-naked choke. Silva leans against the fence and hand-fights to protect his neck, and Naurdiev slides off in part to Silva grabbing the fence, forcing a reset to kickboxing range. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev

Round 2
The second round opens with Silva tossing out low kicks. Naurdiev replies with a loud body kick, and Silva catches it and releases it when missing on a right-hand counter. Naurdiev jabs the body and walks into a left hand, and he fakes a level change to open up an overhand right. Silva tosses out a lazy low kick, and Naurdiev responds with a body shot. Naurdiev times a right hand over the top when Silva pitches another slow leg kick, and he shoots in on the Brazilian’s hips and puts him on the mat. Silva tugs on the fence to hope to improve his position, and Naurdiev climbs on top of him as Smith issues a warning. Naurdiev hacks at his man with elbows as Silva works his way up, and he sells out for a double and lifts Silva up but cannot deposit him on the floor. Silva knees and punches his way out of the tie-up, and he walks Naurdiev down and takes a few jabs on the jaw. Silva attempts a takedown, and Naurdiev easily defends it and sets up a power guillotine choke. Silva throws him off of him rather than technically fighting the choke, and he stalks “The Austrian Wonderboy” down and walks into a takedown entry. Naurdiev resets, punching his way into a double, and he secures it and dumps Silva to his backside. Naurdiev wrangles his opponent, sitting on top in half guard while working him over with punches. Silva once more grabs the fence, and Smith issues yet another warning. Silva returns to his feet, and he jabs his way to get some space. Naurdiev jabs him back and pitches out a front kick, and Silva tries to sway to dodge the attacks. Naurdiev flicks out a question-mark kick, and he dives after a double and settles for a single-leg entry to end the round.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev

Round 3
The fighters touch ‘em up to get going, and Silva appears to have a little fire under his belly as he launches attacks at his opponent. Silva’s swings are lumbering and telegraphed, and Naurdiev is sharper and picks him off before shooting for a double. Naurdiev pushes Silva from one end of the cage to the other, and he scores knees to the body and a right hand over the top to break off. Silva whips a kick to the ribs, and he shoots low for a takedown that fails miserably. Silva puts his hands on the mat to defend his face from getting kneed while leaned over, and he leans back up against the wall when the Austrian hangs onto him. Naurdiev backs off to put jabs on Silva’s face, and he lines up a right hand that glances off the temple. Naurdiev allows Silva to throw a weak high kick, and when Silva turns around slowly like a Lazy Susan, Naurdiev charges him. Silva gets pushed to the wall, doggedly pursuing the takedown while hunting for trips. Silva sets up a Thai clinch, getting off one knee before absorbing several heavier blows. Naurdiev backs off and trades hands with his opponent, and they bounce on their heels to shake things out. Naurdiev chases Silva to the fencing, letting his hands go and blasting his foe’s front leg with a kick. Silva gets off two punches and a knee, and Naurdiev dances in and out with jabs and leg kicks. Silva tries to wing a left hand over the top, and his second fails as well and a leg kick turns him around. When Naurdiev crashes towards him, Silva manages to turn around in time, but he does not throw anything intercepting. Silva pushes out long left hands, and Naurdiev is light on his feet, sliding from side to side while pecking at the Brazilian with a body kick. The fight comes to a conclusion.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev (30-27 Naurdiev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev (30-27 Naurdiev)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev (30-27 Naurdiev)

The Official Result
Ismail Naurdiev def. Bruno Silva via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Sean Brady vs. Ismail Naurdiev

Round 1
Let’s get down to business with the first of 12 fights on UFC Norfolk, pitting an undefeated welterweight in Brady (11-0, 1-0 UFC) against the hard-hitting Austrian Naurdiev (19-3, 2-1 UFC). Referee Scott Howard is in charge of the action for this opening bout, and there is no touch of gloves as they simply walk towards one another. Naurdiev advances and tries to time a counter knee, but misses and lands a leg kick. Brady returns fire with one of his own, and block a head kick that comes his direction. Naurdiev stalks Brady down as he lands a jab, and eats a left hook before firing another jab out. Brady starts swinging with a few combinations, and then has a leg kick get caught. Naurdiev just misses a one-two, and throws out a lazy kick that Brady catches. The American tries to take advantage of the position, but Naurdiev slashes at him with a few elbows to force his opponent to set his leg down. Brady glances a one-two off the dome, and Naurdiev walks towards him throwing impactful body kicks. A one-two from Naurdiev misses, but he follows that with another body kick. There is some marking around the undefeated fighter’s face, and Naurdiev leaps forward with a knee but only partially connects with it. Brady pushes him away and jabs at him before shooting for a takedown, but he is easily stuffed. Naurdiev makes him pay with a body kick and a few punches, so Brady circles away and lands a left hook. He doubles up the jab and follows it with a heavy right hand, and hammers the body with a kick that lands with an audible thud. Naurdiev fires a spinning back kick at him, and Brady blocks it but is still knocked backward. The unbeaten fighter rushes back at him with a few punches, and retreats to avoid the counter. Naurdiev throws up a high kick that is barely blocked, and chases after him with punches. Again leaping up with a knee, Brady absorbs it and catches it, before letting it go. He rushes forward with a three-punch salvo, and only lands on the final one. He shoots in low for a takedown, but “The Austrian Wonderboy” stands him up easily. The two fight in the clinch as the round expires.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev

Round 2
The two trade jabs to begin the round, and Naurdiev lands a low kick as he tries to psyche up the crowd. They continue to exchange tit-for-tat, landing one strike before replying with one, and so forth. Brady races forward to string together a chain of punches, and punctuates the combination with a solid low kick. Naurdiev comes back at him, and Brady is quick to answer with a similar combination. The leg kicks already show a little marking on the left leg of the Austrian, and Brady shoots in to hit a double leg takedown. As Naurdiev springs out of it, Brady transitions into a single leg, and Naurdiev grabs the fence to stay up right. Howard admonishes Naurdiev, and Brady doggedly continues to pursue the takedown -- he lands it by tripping the leg out from beneath his opponent. With one knee down, Brady is content to throw knees to the thigh, and nearly takes Naurdiev’s back while the Austrian fights him off. Brady lumps him up with several short punches as the crowd begins to cheer his name, and Naurdiev spins out of bad position but Brady has control of his left leg. Brady wraps his arm around his foe’s neck to pursue an arm-in guillotine choke, but this allows Naurdiev to stand back up. He powers through and trips the lead leg out of Brady, and gets him down for but a moment, until the American fights back up. Brady grabs the leg and puts Naurdiev down on his back, where he quick takes half guard and looks to posture up to deliver some ground-and-pound. Brady stings him with a few loud elbows, all while maintaining heavy top pressure to grind out his opponent. The round concludes with Brady on top.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Brady
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brady

Round 3
Naurdiev starts out the round with a jab, and eats two for his efforts. A left-right hook combination scores for Brady, and Naurdiev walks through them and stalks down his opponent. Brady throws a few legs kicks to the inside and outside, and then crashes forward with a series of punches. Brady backs off, and then shoots in for a takedown, but bails on it when he does not get good position out of it. Naurdiev shoves him off, and then runs forward with a knee. Brady times it to avoid the brunt of the damage, and channels him momentum into a takedown. With the Austrian crouching against the cage, Brady stays heavy and keeps Naurdiev grounded, while attempting to get off some strikes. “The Austrian Wonderboy” springs back to his feet, but Brady immediately pulls him right back down. Like the last round, Naurdiev pulls on the cage to try to get up, and again Howard simply tells him to knock it off. Brady ignores what he is doing, and ties up Naurdiev while throwing punches as he nearly secures back control. With Naurdiev sitting with his back against the cage wall, Brady is only able to take one side of his back, allowing Naurdiev to try stand once more. Brady wrenches him back down, and nearly takes back mount, but Naurdiev bucks him off as he tries to scramble. All the while, Brady is thudding down punches, and while they may not be very damaging, they are adding up quickly. Brady holds all of his body weight on the Austrian, and Naurdiev is trapped with a leg stuck beneath him. When we hear the 10-second clapper, Brady wraps his arms around his opponent’s neck to jump for a guillotine choke, but time runs out before he can get anything going.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Brady (29-28 Brady)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-8 Brady (30-26 Brady)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Brady (29-28 Brady)

The Official Result
Sean Brady def. Ismail Naurdiev via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Ismail Naurdiev

Round 1
Two powerful welterweights go head-to-head as Bahadurzada (24-7-1, 4-3 UFC) faces Naurdiev (18-3, 1-1 UFC). Our referee is Marc Goddard. Naurdiev comes out aggressive and presses forward, but Bahadurzada wings a right hand that just misses. Bahadurzada is trying to sit on a right hand counter, but Naurdiev will not commit to a strike that allows for that response. Naurdiev fakes and feints his way in to try to draw out a counter, and then tags the Afghani fighter with a one-two, and received an eye poke for his efforts. The action pauses, as Goddard checks on the Austrian, and after a moment, we start things up again. Bahadurzada leads with a few jabs, and Naurdiev throws a low kick and then a front kick to the body. "The Great" swings a huge right hand that blows the hair back from those sitting in the front row, but it does not land on Naurdiev. Bahadurzada keeps the jab going, and then looks for a one-two that just misses. Naurdiev continues to work the lead leg with short kicks, and then snaps his opponent's head back with a jab of his own. The two men go kick for kick, and Naurdiev throws up a quick head kick that clangs off Bahadurzada's head. Bahadurzada slams in a body kick with an audible thud, so Naurdiev throws one back. Naurdiev cracks Bahadurzada with a combination, causing the Afghani fighter to flinch, so Naurdiev turns on the pressure. Bahadurzada tries to unleash a big right hand to back his adversary off, but Naurdiev eats it and keeps pressing. Bahadurzada shakes off the cobwebs, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev

Round 2
The two men touch gloves, and Naurdiev fires up the crowd, but does not do much with the energy in the early going. "The Austrian Wonderboy" lands a few leg kicks, and Bahadurzada tries to come back over the top while aiming for a looping right hook. Naurdiev digs to the body with a left, and then kicks with either leg before pulling off a switch kick that catches Bahadurzada on the chin. Bahadurzada charges forward, throwing wild punches and not landing cleanly with any of them. As they close the distance, Naurdiev clips Bahadurzada with a right hand, and Bahadurzada is unsuccessful with a counter. "The Great" chugs towards his foe, swinging hammers but not connecting with them, and Naurdiev turns his opponent's aggression against him by taking the fight down. Naurdiev immediately takes side control, and plants a few short elbows and shoulder shots on Bahadurzada's chin while the Afghani fighter holds tight to try to force a standup. "The Austrian Wonderboy" slams three knees to Bahadurzada's torso, while holding heavy top pressure before Bahadurzada recovers half guard. Naurdiev works Bahadurzada's body and uses a few hammerfists to break position, before posturing up to smash down a couple elbows as time expires.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev

Round 3
Naurdiev opens up the last round by flicking out several jabs, and Bahadurzada is trying to respond with heavy shots but Naurdiev dances out of the way. Even though it is blocked, Naurdiev clubs Bahadurzada with a head kick that staggers the Afghani fighter briefly, although he shakes it off and gets back to eating jabs from Naurdiev. Bahadurzada cracks Naurdiev with a right hand that knocks the mouthpiece out, and the two men respectfully stand still as Naurdiev recovers it and the action continues. Exchanging body kicks, Naurdiev blasts forward with a takedown and instantly jumps into side control like the last round. Content to stay on top with heavy pressure and some short elbows to the body of his opponent, Naurdiev then switches to some elbows to the head that force Bahadurzada to spin out. After almost giving his back up, Bahadurzada then returns to his back where he takes a few more knees to the side. Bahadurzada powers out of the position to stand up, but Naurdiev stays high and tight, and immediately throws "The Great" back down. On his opponent's back for a moment, Naurdiev throws down punches before Bahadurzada turns around and lands on his back, with Naurdiev taking side control again. The fight ends with Naurdiev on top, likely having taken a dominant decision.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev (30-27 Naurdiev)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev (30-27 Naurdiev)
Mike Sloan scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev (30-27 Naurdiev)

The Official Result
Ismail Naurdiev def. Siyar Bahadurzada via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25)

Ismail Naurdiev vs. Chance Rencountre

Round 1
Next up is a welterweight bout between Ismail Naurdiev and Chance Rencountre. The referee is Mark Smith. No touch of gloves. Naurdiev takes the center of the Octagon right away. Recountre lands a low kick and Naurdiev returns with a kick to the body. Naurdiev with another kick to the body but Rencountre catches it. They clinch up and Rencountre throws Naurdiev to the mat and he gets right back up. Rencountre with another kick to the body. Rencountre looks for a body lock takedown but Naurdiev reverses position and ends up on top. They get back to their feet. Naurdiev nearly lands a high kick. He clinches with Rencountre and knees hm to the body. Naurdiev lands a nasty body kick. Rencountre grabs a leg and is looking for a single leg takedown and gets it. Rencountre is smothering Naurdiev on the mat in the corner of the Octagon. Rencountre moves into half guard and is looking to get into arm-triangle choke position. Rencountre ends the round in a dominant position on top.

Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Rencountre
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Rencountre
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rencountre

Round 2
Round two begins. Rencountre pushes forward and catches a body kick by Naurdiev and follows him to the mat. Rencountre immediately takes the back of Naurdiev. Rencountre has Naurdiev flattened out and he’s looking to get the rear-naked choke. Rencountre is landing hard punches to the head of Naurdiev from back mount. Naurdiev is able to regain half guard. Rencountre remains heavy on top landing ground and pound. Rencountre has been on top in half guard for almost the whole round. This has been a dominant round for Rencountre and Naurdiev is going to need a finish in the third round if he wants to win the fight.

Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-8 Rencountre
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-8 Rencountre
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rencountre

Round 3
Round three begins. Rencountre lands a kick to the body. He immediately shoots for a double leg takedown but Naurdiev defends it and shakes him loose. Rencountre shoots for another double leg but Naurdiev stuffs it. Naurdiev lands a knee to the face as Rencountre shoots for another double leg. Rencountre gets him down briefly but Naurdiev uses the whizzer to get back up. Rencountre moves forward and Naurdiev lands a flying knee and then a straight right behind it. Rencountre clinches Naurdiev against the fence and is looking for a single leg takedown. Naurdiev defends it and they break. Rencountre drops down for another single leg takedown and can’t get it but he transitions to take the back of Naurdiev. Rencountre has Naurdiev flattened out on the mat now and is pounding him in the face. Naurdiev turns and Rencountre has full mount. Naurdiev is able to regain half guard. Rencountre jams Naurdiev up against the corner of the cage. Naurdiev is able to get back to his feet and the referee breaks the clinch. Naurdiev shoots for a double leg takedown and gets it but it’s far too late as the fight is over.

Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Rencountre (30-26 Rencountre)
Cole Shelton scores the round: 10-9 Rencountre (30-26 Rencountre)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rencountre (30-27 Rencountre)

The Official Result
Chance Rencountre def. Ismail Naurdiev via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Michel Prazeres vs. Ismail Naurdiev

Round 1
It’s now time for a welterweight bout between Michel Prazeres and Ismail Naurdiev. The official for this contest is Marc Goddard. They touch gloves. Naurdiev lands a low kick but Prazares catches it. He has Naurdiev against the fence now and is working to get this fight to the ground. Prazeres looks to get the body lock takedown but Naurdiev uses the whizzer to stuff it. Prazeres nearly lands a double leg but Naurdiev stuffs that too. They exchange low kicks. Prazeres rushes in for a double leg takedown but Naudiev is doing a good job defending. Prazeres is grinding Naurdiev against the fence but breaks away. Low kick by Naurdiev. Another one, and then a high kick. Naurdiev lands a straight right that rocks Prazeres but he ducks under for a double leg takedown in desperation. Prazeres works Naurdiev against the fence and gets the double leg takedown. He’s now on top in half guard but Naurdiev lands an incredible sweep and is now on top himself. Naurdiev is on top landing nasty elbows to the head of Prazeres. Naurdiev moves into full mount and then takes the back of Prazeres. He’s working for a rear-naked choke but Prazeres escapes and sweeps him. Prazeres is now pushing Naurdiev against the fence grinding him. Naurdiev is doing a good job of defending against the takedown here and the round is soon over.

Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
John Brannigan scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev

Round 2
Round two begins. Low kick by Naurdiev and then a left high kick. Naurdiev goes for a low kick that Prazeres catches but he can’t get the takedown from it. Nice jab by Naurdiev and then a low kick. Another left high kick by Naurdiev. Prazeres swings and misses wildly on a left hook. Naurdiev keeps throwing those low kicks at Prazeres. Naurdiev misses a jumping front kick and Prazeres uses this as an opportunity to get inside and push him against the fence. Prazeres tries for the body lock takedown but Naurdiev sweeps him, but Prazeres gets back up. Prazeres continues to work hard and gets the double leg takedown. Prazeres is now on top working in half guard but Naurdiev once again sweeps him. Beautiful work on the ground here by Naurdiev, but the referee says he isn’t doing enough damage and stands the fight up. Naurdiev looks to land a flying knee but Prazeres ducks under and is pushing Naurdiev against the fence again. The referee breaks up the stalemate. Naudiev lands a counter straight right and then a low kick. He goes for another straight right but Prazeres drops down for a double leg. Naurdiev stuffs it and the round is over.

Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev
John Brannigan scores the round: 10-9 Prazeres
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Prazeres

Round 3
Round three begins and the fighters hug and give each other a high five. Prazeres lands a nasty right hook. Naurdiev with two body kicks and then two low kicks. Prazeres uses the kicks to get inside and he has Naurdiev against the fence now. The referee is warning the fighters to work. They don’t and he breaks it up. Prazeres with a wild left hook but Naurdiev moves away. Another low kick by Naurdiev, and another. Prazeres ducks under and goes for a single leg takedown and eventually gets it. Prazeres is on top in half guard in arguably the best position he’s had all fight long. Prazeres looks to get mount but Naurdiev sweeps him. He’s now working for a guillotine choke but uses it to stand up. Naurdiev lands a knee as Prazeres stands up and Prazeres is badly rocked. Prazeres with a desperation body lock takedown but he can’t get it and Naurdiev winds up on top. Naurdiev is pounding on Prazeres here and eventually turns him over. Naurdiev is on top of Prazeres dropping nasty elbows. Prazeres looks to be badly hurt. Naurdiev is raining down ground and pound from back control but Prazeres is able to turn over. Now Naurdiev is in half guard landing nasty elbows from the top. He continues to land hard elbows and punches until the round and fight are over.

Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev (30-27 Naurdiev)
John Brannigan scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev (29-28 Naurdiev)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Naurdiev (29-28 Naurdiev)

The Official Result
Ismail Naurdiev def. Michel Prazeres via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)