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)