Career Averages - Nursulton Ruziboev
Career Averages - Andrey Pulyaev
Nursulton Ruziboev
Andrey Pulyaev
Nursulton Ruziboev - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruziboev (-225); Pulyaev (+180)
Round 1
Lanky middleweights Ruziboev and Pulyaev engage at a word from referee Marc Goddard. Pulyaev is southpaw, Ruziboev orthodox. Pulyaev is mobile early, circling around the outside as Ruziboev moves more conservatively, cutting off the cage and reaching out with range-finding jabs. Ruziboev grabs a snatch single-leg and dumps Pulyaev to his seat at the base of the fence. Pulyaev stands back up, and Ruziboev drags him to the canvas once more, moving to the Russian’s back and going supine in the middle of the cage with nearly three full minutes to work. Pulyaev guards his neck and tries to sit up, but Ruziboev is ultra-patient, locking up a modified body triangle, boxing Pulyaev’s ears with short punches and looking for a chance to reapply the choke. This is like watching a python swallow a goat. Ruziboev sinks an arm under the chin and squeezes, and Pulyaev is astral traveling within seconds. The man is out cold, eyes wide open, and Goddard steps in for the save. Ruziboev gets up to celebrate, leaving Pulyaev facedown and snoozing. Wow.
The Official Result
Nursulton Ruziboev def. Andrey Pulyaev R1 3:58 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
AJ picks Ruziboev due to his veteran savvy, 47-fight experience, and 20 submission wins. He thinks Pulyaev's resume is thin and that Ruziboev can outwork him, possibly mixing in takedowns. He expects the fight to go over 1.5 rounds and likes Ruziboev by decision or late finish.
AJ thinks Ruziboev can outgrapple Pulyaev and win a decision or submission. He notes Pulyaev is not physical, skinny, and lacks damaging power, while Ruziboev has a decent ground game and hits harder. AJ expects Ruziboev to bully Pulyaev in the clinch and on the mat.
AJ DeVito mentions Nursulton Ruziboev by submission at +1000 as a DGEN prop, noting he has many submission wins. He is not overconfident but thinks it's live.
AJ leans towards Ruziboev by decision, citing his superior MMA grappling, experience (47 pro fights), and ability to control the cage. He expects Ruziboev to outwork Pulyaev over three rounds, mixing in clinch work and takedowns. Pulyaev is durable but less versatile.
Angelo includes Ruziboev in a parlay of confident picks, suggesting he expects him to win. No further analysis is provided in the transcript.
Angelo is very confident in Nurullo, citing his well-rounded skills and size advantage. He believes Nurullo will mix in takedowns and win on the ground or striking. He notes that Andre Pulyaev is tough but that this matchup is worse for him than his last fight. He thinks -225 is a discount.
Angelo picks Ruziboev, highlighting his wrestling and grappling skills from regional tape. He notes that Ruziboev is a good striker and a very good grappler, and expects him to win by wrestling after getting jabbed a few times. He is surprised the line is tightening.
Big Brady picks Andrey Pulyaev to win by decision, though he dislikes the fight. He notes Pulyaev runs away and throws low-volume kicks, but Ruziboev is also low-volume and won't grapple. Brady thinks Pulyaev's 'BS' striking might be enough to win a terrible decision, calling it a potential 'worst fight in UFC history.' He will not bet on it.
Cody passes on this fight, not having strong conviction. He might consider a Ruziboev round one prop at plus 300, but otherwise no play.
Daniel Levi leans towards Nursulton Ruziboev, citing his urgency and willingness to push the pace compared to Andrey Pulyaev, who tends to get on his bike and not do enough. He respects Pulyaev's durability and craftiness but believes Ruziboev will try harder and take the fight to him. Levi expects a competitive fight but trusts Ruziboev's gas pedal more.
Jacob picks Ruziboev by submission, noting his submission arsenal is more dangerous than anything Pulyaev has faced. He thinks Ruziboev has sneaky power and can finish via submission or KO. He likes the submission prop at a good price.
Lucrative James picks Andrey Pulyaev despite it being a risky pick, because he believes Pulyaev's activity, body shots, and improving striking will be key. He notes that Ruziboev has cardio issues and doesn't look good outside round one, and that Pulyaev has faced tough competition recently. He expects Ruziboev to hurt Pulyaev early, but Pulyaev to take over in rounds two and three and win a decision.
The host is not a big fan of Ruziboev but thinks this matchup allows him to land big shots on Pulyaev and mix in his grappling. He predicts a submission victory for the Uzbek native.
Ruziboev is aggressive and will bully Pulyaev, finding a big shot to wobble him and then jumping on a submission. Pulyaev has a striking base but Ruziboev's pressure and reach disadvantage for Pulyaev should allow Ruziboev to control the pace. However, Ruziboev is not a favorite to play at chalk.
Paul picks Pulyaev as a dog, citing his southpaw stance, volume, and reach advantage. He notes Ruziboev's low volume and limited skills, and believes Pulyaev will outwork him. He sees value at plus money.
The Guru leans with Pulyaev via decision, considering him a live underdog. He notes Pulyaev's mobility, southpaw stance, and difficulty to finish, while Ruziboev has not fought in a while and may struggle with Pulyaev's range and kicks. He sees it as a pick'em fight.
Angelo has been a big supporter of Ruziboev since his UFC debut and picks him here. He highlights Ruziboev's wrestling and grappling prowess, his size at 6'5, and his power, noting that Battle missed weight and is moving up to middleweight where his power may not carry. He believes Battle is not big enough for the weight class and that Ruziboev's chin and skills will prevail. He bet on Ruziboev at +150.
Big Brady picks Nursulton Ruziboev to win by second-round knockout. He notes Ruziboev has massive size, reach, and power, and that Battle has poor striking defense (44%). He thinks Battle will walk into big shots and could get knocked out. He also mentions Ruziboev's takedown defense is improving and Battle is not a wrestler at middleweight. He acknowledges Ruziboev is low volume but dangerous, and could win by damage-based decision or knockout.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Ruziboev. He notes that Battle's pressure and aggression vanished against Randy Brown, and that Ruziboev is a good-sized middleweight who can out-wrestle Battle in the clinch. He thinks Ruziboev's positional fighting inside is better than Battle's. He acknowledges that Ruziboev's wins have been against lower-level competition, but believes this matchup favors him.
The Guru picks Nursulton Ruziboev to win by TKO in the first two rounds. He believes Ruziboev's height and reach advantage will be problematic for Bryan Battle, who won't be able to use his physicality as he did against Randy Brown. The Guru notes that Ruziboev is a dirty fighter who will cheat to win, extending fingers and grabbing the cage. He also mentions Ruziboev's dynamic movement and ability to dart in and out, which will be difficult for Battle to handle.
Zane picks Ruziboev, despite thinking of him as a can crusher. He notes that Battle does not like fighting tall, long opponents and looked wary against Randy Brown. He thinks Ruziboev will out-clinch Battle with head position and underhooks, and that Battle's positional clinching is poor. He acknowledges Ruziboev's thin game but believes his strengths match up well against Battle's weaknesses.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Stoltzfus | 0 | 21 of 37 | 56% | 41 of 62 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 | 0 | 5:11 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 0 | 35 of 68 | 51% | 53 of 94 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 2 | 3:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Stoltzfus | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 10 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1:14 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 0 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 21 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 1:24 | |
| 2 | Dustin Stoltzfus | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 14 of 18 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:13 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 0 | 11 of 19 | 57% | 21 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:55 | |
| 3 | Dustin Stoltzfus | 0 | 14 of 21 | 66% | 17 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:44 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 11 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustin Stoltzfus | 21 of 37 | 56% | 5 of 19 | 4 of 6 | 12 of 12 | 19 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 35 of 68 | 51% | 24 of 53 | 8 of 11 | 3 of 4 | 24 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 10 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dustin Stoltzfus | 5 of 13 | 38% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 13 of 27 | 48% | 8 of 19 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 11 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Dustin Stoltzfus | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 11 of 19 | 57% | 9 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 14 | |
| 3 | Dustin Stoltzfus | 14 of 21 | 66% | 2 of 7 | 2 of 4 | 10 of 10 | 13 of 19 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 11 of 22 | 50% | 7 of 17 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruziboev (-298), Stoltzfus (+240)
Round 1
From one action fight to another we go, this time in the middleweight division. Stoltzfus (16-6, 3-5 UFC) has only gone the distance twice in his eight UFC outings, while all three wins inside the Octagon for Ruziboev (35-9-2, 2 NC; 3-1 UFC) have come by knockout. Referee Chris Tognoni knows he very well might be needed before the final horn. There is a no glove touch, as Stoltzfus declines to do so. Ruziboev accepts this and lets go with an early leg kick. Stoltzfus pulls back on a body kick, but Ruziboev does not do that as his lands flush. The Uzbekistani fighter scores a calf kick, and Stoltzfus does the same. The calf is the target for Ruziboev, until he swings his way in with two booming punches. Stoltzfus tries to grab hold of the taller man, but Ruziboev tosses him aside and lines up a straight right hand. The two clash heads together, and Stoltzfus manages to land the cleaner of the two and knocks “Black” to his seat. Stoltzfus rushes forward and jumps guard with a guillotine choke, and he steps into full mount and wraps the submission up and under the chin. Ruziboev pats Stoltzfus’ backside but it is not registered as a tap, and Stoltzfus imposes his weight to complete the maneuver. Ruziboev thinks about giving up but explodes to flip Stoltzfus over, and he gets into the guard and just hangs out there to get his wits back about him. Ruziboev postures up to drop down a punch and an elbow, and Stoltzfus works his way up and ignores a guillotine setup from his opponent. Stoltzfus times a spinning back elbow to break, and the two split up. Ruziboev opens up with a left hand and a spinning back kick, and his second spin kick misses as Stoltzfus cracks him with a counter. Ruziboev bounces around to shake it out, leaping forward to deliver single punches that connect each and every time. Stoltzfus is tough as can be, but Ruziboev slugs him in the chops until he wraps his arm around the Pennsylvanian and wrangles him to the mat. The bell sounds, to the surprise of many.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Stoltzfus
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ruziboev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ruziboev
Round 2
The second round opens with a head kick from Ruziboev after a bit of measuring. After some more timing, Ruziboev lets loose a spinning wheel kick that bangs square into Stoltzfus’ head. Stoltzfus swings his way forward, catching Ruziboev and putting him on his heels. Stoltzfus pursues a takedown, and Ruziboev defends with a kimura. Stoltzfus fights it off and lowers Ruziboev to his back, his nose pouring blood from a particularly nasty uppercut. Stoltzfus gets in half guard and pursues an arm-triangle choke, letting it go to bash Ruziboev with punches and short elbows. Stoltzfus sets up another guillotine choke and leans to the side, and Ruziboev turns to defend it. This allows Stoltzfus to briefly pursue a brabo choke, only to let it go when he does not have the right leverage. Ruziboev powers back to his feet and finds himself in guillotine danger once more, but the blood covering Ruziboev’s melon plus the fatigue setting in allows him to slip out. Ruziboev counters with a knee to the body, and he smacks Stoltzfus with a hammerfist and inadvertently headbutts him. Ruziboev keeps slugging away, and Stoltzfus snatches up a leg and turns into it to drag Ruziboev down to a knee. Ruziboev pulls on the fence to defend it, as Tognoni shouts at him to knock it off. The damage is done from the foul, as Ruziboev escapes and lowers himself down to start pounding on the bloodied Stoltzfus again. Stoltzfus sways to avoid the worst of the ground-and-pound, and he lands his own sneaky shots off his back right before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ruziboev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ruziboev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ruziboev
Round 3
The last round kicks off with both men taking a moment to analyze the other. Ruziboev darts in with a jab and a body kick, and Tognoni warns that the kick went south of the border. Stoltzfus is no worse for wear, and he lets the fight continue. Clubbing Ruziboev’s lead leg with his shin, he knocks the taller man to his seat and times a right hand to drive into his jaw. Ruziboev twists around to stand back up, and he parries a front kick aimed at his chest. Stoltzfus rushes at him, ducking a punch to tie his man up, and Ruziboev darts away in time. Ruziboev reaches his target with a left hook, and Stoltzfus kicks him in the front leg. Ruziboev times a right hand over the top, and he spins and drills Stoltzfus in the face with a wheel kick. Stoltzfus takes it on the chin and lashes out with a right hand, and he gets knocked back with an overhand right counter that bangs into his gloves. Stoltzfus lets fly his own spinning wheel kick, and it clatters off the guard. Ruziboev does the same. They crack one another with single right hands, and then connect with hard lefts. As Ruziboev swings for the fences, Stoltzfus tackles him to the ground and lands in half guard. Stoltzfus imposes his weight while not getting much offense off, looking instead to advance position. Tognoni asks Stoltzfus for more activity, as Stoltzfus is solely covering his foe’s mouth but not offering any strikes. Stoltzfus climbs into mount with 50 seconds to go, and Ruziboev scrambles like a madman to get to his knees. Stoltzfus wraps up the beginning of a brabo choke, and when Ruziboev fights through it, he transitions to a guillotine. Ruziboev pulls out of it, and he delivers a spin kick to the ribs. Ruziboev nails the American with a right hand, and they proceed to miss with spinning strikes before time expires. They raise their fists in the air after 15 minutes of bloody combat.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ruziboev (29-28 Ruziboev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Stoltzfus (29-28 Ruziboev)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Stoltzfus (29-28 Ruziboev)
The Official Result
Nursultan Ruziboev def. Dustin Stoltzfus via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Nursulton Ruziboev confidently, calling him an absolute beast. He highlights Ruziboev's massive 6'5" frame, wrestling and grappling prowess, and a good chin. He notes that Ruziboev's only UFC loss was to Buckley at 170 lbs, which is credible. Angelo expects Ruziboev to be patient, eat a few shots, and then pour it on later. He finds the -280 odds affordable and suggests the over might be sneaky good if a round line is available.
Big Brady picks Dustin Stoltzfus as a plus-240 underdog, citing Ruziboev's poor takedown defense and lack of volume. He believes Stoltzfus can take Ruziboev down and control him, making Ruziboev's power useless. He expects a decision win if Stoltzfus fights smart.
The host acknowledges Ruziboev's power and striking advantage but notes he has been grinded out by lesser grapplers. He believes Stoltzfus, with his BJJ black belt and wrestling improvements from Extreme Couture, can get Ruziboev to the ground and grind him out from top position, either winning on the scorecards or finding a submission.
The Guru picks Nursulton Ruziboev, calling him a dirty fighter who moves well and has a ton of experience. He thinks Ruziboev is better at middleweight with more power. He notes Stoltzfus has been styled on by opponents like Bruno Ferreira and doesn't see a path to victory. He predicts a TKO in the first or second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 2 | 20 of 42 | 47% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Eric McConico | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nursulton Ruziboev | 0 | 13 of 24 | 54% | 14 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
| Eric McConico | 0 | 4 of 10 | 40% | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Nursulton Ruziboev | 2 | 7 of 18 | 38% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 |
| Eric McConico | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 20 of 42 | 47% | 15 of 35 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 30 | 6 of 11 | 1 of 1 |
| Eric McConico | 5 of 13 | 38% | 1 of 5 | 1 of 3 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nursulton Ruziboev | 13 of 24 | 54% | 8 of 17 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 23 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Eric McConico | 4 of 10 | 40% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nursulton Ruziboev | 7 of 18 | 38% | 7 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 |
| Eric McConico | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Moving right along, two men that rarely leave matters to the judges will clash to start building momentum in the wide-open middleweight category. After a tough loss, Ruziboev (34-9-2, 2 NC; 2-1 UFC) is returning to 185 pounds, and he will be welcoming Tuff-N-Uff vet McConico (9-2-1, 0-0 UFC) to the world-famous Octagon. Referee Keith Peterson is on guard, ready to step in at a moment’s notice and bust up any nonsense. A fist bump precedes the action, and McConico opens up with a slapping low kick as “USA” chants loudly echo throughout the building. McConico parries a front kick fired at him and chambers a head kick in response, only to not let it go. As the fighters circle one another without much activity, the fans let the fighters have it with a swath of boos. Ruziboev tries to answer their calls for action with an overhand right, but he misses the mark by a wide margin. Ruziboev tries for another as a counter, and he skims the side of the head when McConico attempts a kick. McConico is out of range with most of his strikes, and Ruziboev reaches him at the end of a right hand right on the pectorals. Ruziboev jams a front kick to the liver, and he is answered with a low kick. Ruziboev surges forward with a right hand, and he shakes his head when McConico fails on a counter. Ruziboev blitzes after another lull in action, and a second flurry gets his hands on his opponent. McConico rips a kick to the ribs, and “Black” wraps him up and pushes him to the fencing. Dirty boxing from the newcomer allows him to break out of the tie-up, and he has a head kick slap off the raised guard to little impact. The crowd is not impressed, even as Ruziboev marches forward and zings a few straight punches down the middle. A low kick from McConico is answered by a one-two, and this exchange happens a second time. The Uzbekistan ends the round with a body kick and a right hand.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ruziboev
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Ruziboev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ruziboev
Round 2
The fighters clap hands to get going, and McConico is energized as he puts a pair of punches on the chin to reintroduce himself. Ruziboev fires right back, and this slugfest is exactly where McConico does not want to be. The taller, longer man unloads and nails McConico with a strong combination of punches, causing McConico to wobble and stumble his way to the fence. McConico falls to his face and works his way up under fire.
Ruziboev chases, swinging with all his might, allowing the newcomer to get back to his feet so he can blast him once more with several relentless right hands. As McConico hits the deck a second time, Peterson has seen enough, with McConico turning to his side and in a bad, bad way.
The victor walks off screaming, letting out all of his remaining emotions after registering the knockout. That marks 33 finishes in the 35 wins for the Uzbekistan native, who at 6-foot-5 will be a tough matchup for a lot of fighters in the weight class. To make matters more interesting, Ruziboev informs commentator Michael Bisping that he is willing to fight at either 77 or 84 kgs, meaning 170 pounds or 185 pounds.
The Official Result
Nursulton Ruziboev def. Eric McConico R2 0:33 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo is confident in Nursulton Ruziboev, noting he is a big middleweight with wrestling and power, and that this weight class suits him better than welterweight. He thinks McConico is not dangerous enough on the feet to pose a real problem, and expects Ruziboev's wrestling to be a big advantage. He assumes both fighters are in shape despite short notice.
Big Brady picks Nursulton Ruziboev but hates the -300 price tag, calling it unwarranted. He notes that Ruziboev hasn't proven much in the UFC, with wins via eye poke and one-punch knockout, and was taken down by Warlley Alves for three rounds. However, he thinks Ruziboev's size, length, and power will be too much for Eric McConico, who has durability issues and is coming in on short notice. He predicts a first-round knockout.
The host notes McConico is on short notice but in shape from a recent fight. He expects McConico to use a game plan similar to Buckley's, keeping Ruziboev on his back and out of danger, winning on the scorecards.
The Guru picks Ruziboev based on 'light man skill' and experience fighting at welterweight, implying he had to be good to win there. He criticizes McConico's late-career signing at age 34, lack of finishing potential, and weak resume. He expects Ruziboev to piece him up and finish him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joaquin Buckley | 1 | 86 of 156 | 55% | 113 of 187 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 5:30 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 0 | 31 of 72 | 43% | 43 of 87 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:34 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 23 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 0 | 7 of 22 | 31% | 11 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Joaquin Buckley | 0 | 14 of 27 | 51% | 23 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:42 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 0 | 8 of 21 | 38% | 15 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Joaquin Buckley | 1 | 64 of 106 | 60% | 82 of 127 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:32 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 0 | 16 of 29 | 55% | 17 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:34 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joaquin Buckley | 86 of 156 | 55% | 70 of 137 | 14 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 71 of 106 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 31 of 72 | 43% | 17 of 46 | 13 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 23 of 59 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 12 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joaquin Buckley | 8 of 23 | 34% | 5 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 7 of 22 | 31% | 4 of 15 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 7 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Joaquin Buckley | 14 of 27 | 51% | 8 of 21 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 9 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 8 of 21 | 38% | 3 of 13 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Joaquin Buckley | 64 of 106 | 60% | 57 of 98 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 60 of 88 |
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 16 of 29 | 55% | 10 of 18 | 5 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 12 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Buckley (-166), Ruziboev (+140)
Round 1
Ever since moving down to 170 pounds, the 5-foot-8 kickfighter Buckley (18-6, 8-4 UFC) has found a new lease on life, even if he tries to move up a more logjammed division with contenders waiting ages for title shots these days. Looking to crash that party will be Uzbekistan finisher Ruziboev (34-8-2, 2 NC; 2-0 UFC), who has shifted back and forth from welterweight and middleweight over the years. Knowing that one of these men may need smelling salts in the foreseeable future, referee Keith Peterson is ultra-prepped and ready for the nonsense-free proceedings. There is a stern staredown between the two that ultimately results in no touch of gloves. Buckley crowds his way forward to begin, and he backs away from a front kick that is aimed his direction. Buckley shifts to the left and right while trying to find his way in, and Ruziboev is warned for outstretched fingers. Ruziboev reaches with a right hand, and Buckley comes at him swinging. Ruziboev ducks away from a huge overhand left, and he tries to line up straight shots to intercept the shorter man coming in. Ruziboev misses another front kick, and he lets Buckley fly past him when Buckley is winging shots. The crowd starts chanting “USA,” and Buckley absorbs this energy and surges forward, where he takes a flush flying knee to the body and tackles Ruziboev to the ground. Buckley is wrapped up when landing on top, with Ruziboev hooking his arms around Buckley’s to hope for a stalemate that results in a standup. Buckley is pushed away, and he swings when Ruziboev fights back to his feet. Ruziboev returns fire and clips him, and Buckley retreats only to sprint forward and smash straight into Ruziboev’s chest to put him flat on his back. Buckley decides after landing a few strikes to stand back up, and Ruziboev follows him up. Buckley hops away from a front kick and scores a low kick, and his jabs as well out of range. Buckley keeps his guard up to block a high kick, and his blitz of a few looping strikes come up short. Buckley raises his hand in the air as he circles away, and he tells Ruziboev to fight him. Ruziboev motions to come get him, and Buckley answers as he leaps forward throwing wild hooks. Buckley spins with a back kick that is brushed off, and he walks off disappointed. Ruziboev runs at him and jumps with a flying knee, but Buckley is elsewhere as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Round 2
Buckley appears to have a fire lit in his belly as he starts the second round, as he races forward and releases a big kick early. Ruziboev retreats and measures Buckley with a right hand. Buckley resets and blazes forward, ripping Ruziboev off of his feet and tossing him down to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Ruziboev uses his offensive guard to kick Buckley off of him, and Buckley allows him to get back up. Ruziboev gets off a right hand that partially connects, and Buckley closes in and lands as body shot. Ruziboev trots forward with his arms outstretched, and he walks into a front kick to the sternum. Buckley chases Ruziboev around and shrugs off a right hand so he can unload with body shots. Buckley takes a flush knee and responds with a right hook that lands cleanly. Buckley is struck with another knee on the way in, and is still struggling to find the range. A side kick from “New Mansa” finds its target, and his guard is high enough to block a straight right hand from his foe. Ruziboev splits the guard with a front kick and hops away from winging hooks that whiz past him. Buckley starts pointing around the cage, and he tries to use this misdirection to charge in and crack his foe. He gets off a big right hand and wrenches Ruziboev down to the mat, slamming him down and landing in side control. Buckley puts a knee on the belly, and Ruziboev pulls him back to guard. Buckley rains down punches, and Ruziboev answers with an armbar that Buckley completely ignores. The round ends, Buckley helps his foe up and they embrace.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Buckley
Round 3
Hands are clapped together to begin the final round. They use alternating jabs to still look for their respective distances, and Buckley leaps forward and pulls back before reaching the target. Buckley has a right hand glance off the target, and Ruziboev replies with a few body shots. Buckley eats a left hand and laughs it off so he can blast Ruziboev in the face with bombs. Buckley knocks Ruziboev off his feet down to his seat, where he moves to top position, and Ruziboev flails frantically with his legs and lands a few upkicks to get Buckley away. Buckley holds on the neck when Ruziboev sits up, and Ruziboev escapes and tries to land some shots. Buckley chases after him and connects with some punishing blows, and Ruziboev goes down again. Buckley leaps on top and begins an onslaught of ground-and-pound when he gets to mount, and he hammers Ruziboev with punches as Ruziboev’s face has been bloodied up. Ruziboev struggles to hang on and grabs the glove to protect himself, so Buckley frames off with his elbow and clobbers him with additional elbows. Ruziboev survives the assault somehow and sweeps the shorter man, and he ignores a triangle setup to move into the half guard so he can blast Buckley with his own offense. Buckley twists and turns, and he explodes to turn Ruziboev over and put him down again. Buckley sits up and jackhammers Ruziboev with right hands, and Peterson is watching closely as Ruziboev’s eye is busted up. Buckley unleashes with everything he has, and Ruziboev responds with several illegal upkicks that land on the spine and the back of the head. Peterson calls time to acknowledge the foul, and Buckley asks for them to be stood up. Ruziboev tries to offer a glove touch, and Buckley shrugs him off. Ruziboev loads up on a head kick, and Buckley walks him down and slugs him in the chops right to the final horn. This matchup somehow has gone the distance, although it is no question who will get their hand raised.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Buckley (30-26 Buckley)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Buckley (30-27 Buckley)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Buckley (30-26 Buckley)
The Official Result
Joaquin Buckley def. Nursulton Ruziboev via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-27)
Angelo picks Nursulton Ruziboev, citing his wrestling and grappling ability, as well as his power in his hands. He notes Ruziboev is a much larger fighter and a capable striker, but worries he might abandon his grappling for striking. He acknowledges Joaquin Buckley's speed, power, and improved movement, but believes Ruziboev's wrestling could be the difference.
Big Brady picks Nursulton Ruziboev to knock out Joaquin Buckley in the first round, calling it a shot in the dark. He notes that Buckley has been knocked out multiple times (by Holland, Curtis, etc.) and Ruziboev has a ton of power. However, he admits he still doesn't know much about Ruziboev, who has over 40 fights but mostly first-round finishes. He thinks Ruziboev's power might be the difference, and if he beats Buckley, he will gain hype.
Cody picks Buckley, noting that Ruziboev has a poor record at 170 lbs (7 of 8 losses at that weight) and tends to gas after the first round. He highlights Buckley's speed, cardio advantage, and ability to explode with big shots. Cody believes Buckley can survive an early onslaught and take over in later rounds, especially with the crowd behind him in St. Louis. He also notes that Ruziboev's takedown defense is suspect and Buckley could mix in wrestling.
Daniel Vreeland picks Joaquin Buckley, noting that Buckley has experience against larger opponents and that Ruziboev's ceiling is likely top 30. He believes Buckley can extend the fight and find his range, and that Ruziboev struggles when he doesn't get an early finish. He also mentions the risk of a letdown spot for Buckley after a big win.
The host picks Buckley to win by knockout in rounds 2 or 3, citing his experience and fight IQ against a less tested opponent. He expects Buckley to mix in grappling and wear down Ruziboev before landing a big shot. He notes Ruziboev's size and reach but questions his weight cut and competition level. The pick is confident for the finish, though he acknowledges unknowns about Ruziboev.
Paul leans towards Ruziboev but is hesitant, citing his size and power advantage. He notes that Ruziboev has a 10-fight winning streak with all finishes in the first round, but his record at 170 is poor. Paul worries about the weight cut and cardio, as Ruziboev has not gone past the first round in years. He suggests waiting for weigh-ins to see how Ruziboev looks at 170. Paul acknowledges Buckley's improvements but thinks Ruziboev could be a 'merer' if he lands early.
The MMA Guru picks Nursulton Ruziboev over Joaquin Buckley, noting Ruziboev's reach and rangy striking style. He believes Buckley's boxing-heavy approach will be neutralized by Ruziboev's length and uppercuts, and that Ruziboev's willingness to cheat (eye pokes) could be an advantage. He predicts a TKO win via uppercut as Buckley comes in.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 1 | 12 of 32 | 37% | 12 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Sedriques Dumas | 0 | 1 of 16 | 6% | 1 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nursulton Ruziboev | 1 | 12 of 32 | 37% | 12 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Sedriques Dumas | 0 | 1 of 16 | 6% | 1 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 12 of 32 | 37% | 11 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 |
| Sedriques Dumas | 1 of 16 | 6% | 1 of 13 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nursulton Ruziboev | 12 of 32 | 37% | 11 of 30 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 |
| Sedriques Dumas | 1 of 16 | 6% | 1 of 13 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruziboev (-265), Dumas (+215)
Round 1
Ruziboev and Dumas go to work under the supervision of referee “Shaolin” Ribeiro. Both middleweights are in orthodox stance, and Dumas comes forward with kick feints and a long jab. Ruziboev isn’t throwing anything back, but once he has the read, he nails Dumas with a righty counter over the jab. Dumas backs off, and when they come together again, Ruziboev meets him with an uppercut up the middle. Ruziboev tries a lead left hook that glances, and backs away from a Dumas front kick. Dumas continues to match forward, but he backs away from the ensuing collision pawing at his right eye. He looks at the referee, but Ribeiro either didn’t see a foul, or saw a legal strike.
Ruziboev gives no quarter, coming forward and laying into Dumas with a string of punches. Dumas wilts under the barrage, covering up as Ruziboev pours on the punishment. Ribeiro interposes himself for the stoppage, but this is going to be one heavily viewed replay.
The replay, when it comes, shows Ruziboev appearing to drag his open fingers across Dumas’ face during one of the final exchanges. We will see if that leads to any sort of appeal in the coming days.
The Official Result
Nursolton Ruziboev def. Sedriques Dumas R1 3:18 via KO (Punches)
Angelo is very confident in Nursulton Ruziboev, calling him a 'grappling beast' who will ragdoll Sedriques Dumas. He criticizes Dumas as 'kind of terrible' and notes that even Cody Brundage took him down. He believes Ruziboev should be the biggest favorite on the card and recommends betting now before the line moves.
Big Brady picks Nursulton Ruziboev to win by first-round submission. He highlights Ruziboev's size (6'5" at middleweight), power, and dangerous submission game, noting he has many rear-naked choke wins. He criticizes Dumas for poor performances, getting hurt by lesser opponents, and questionable cardio. Brady believes Ruziboev is a level above everywhere and will submit Dumas when the fight hits the mat.
Cody acknowledges Ruziboev's first-round finishing ability but worries about his cardio if the fight goes past the first. He notes Dumas's poor life choices and questionable cardio but thinks Ruziboev's durability and skill advantage should carry him, though the price (-260) is unappealing.
Daniel Vreeland picks Nursulton Ruziboev, citing his massive experience (over 40 fights) and finishing ability. He notes Dumas is still green, has been submitted before (by Josh Fremd), and may have distractions outside the cage. He thinks Ruziboev will expose Dumas on the ground, though he doesn't advocate betting at -250.
Ruziboev has a height advantage and aggressive striking, but Dumas has a 3-inch reach advantage. Ruziboev's experience (42 fights) and recent camp at Marquez MMA in Philly are positives. Dumas is still unproven; his wins came against Cody Brundage (who jumped guillotine) and Abdul Razak Alhassan (coming off long layoff). Ruziboev's aggressiveness should be the difference, but he must avoid leaving his neck open for a choke. Prediction: Ruziboev inside the distance.
Paul is high on Ruziboev, calling him a 'monster' and noting his size, power, and training in Philly. He contrasts Ruziboev's focused Instagram with Dumas's partying and legal issues, believing Ruziboev will starch him early.
The host picks Nursulton Ruziboev, criticizing Sedriques Dumas' wins as coming against opponents with low fight IQ. He believes Ruziboev is more experienced and has a higher fight IQ. He predicts Ruziboev will win, possibly by using his grappling and striking advantage.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brunno Ferreira | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nursulton Ruziboev | 0 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Brunno Ferreira | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursulton Ruziboev | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brunno Ferreira | 6 of 9 | 66% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nursulton Ruziboev | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Brunno Ferreira | 6 of 9 | 66% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ferreira (-195), Ruziboev (+165)
Round 1
Make no mistake, the UFC chose violence for this main card opener in the middleweight division. With an astounding 42 finishes across their 44 pro wins, both Ferreira (10-0, 1-0 UFC) and the debuting Ruziboev (34-8-2, 2 NC; 0-0 UFC) would not like to leave this one on the hands of the judges. Ready to intervene at any second will be referee Mark Smith. The fighters clap hands together, and Ruziboev moves to the center of the cage while Ferreira switches stances several times. Ferreira absorbs a clean calf kick from a safe distance, and he blocks a jump kick and throws a front kick back. Ferreira slams his shin on the outside calf, and Ruziboev turns his leg to prevent some of the damage. Ruziboev steps in with a few punches, and Ferreira springs out of the way.
Ruziboev catches a low kick and drills a straight right hand down Broadway. Ferreira hits the mat, his head bouncing off the floor, and he is stunned badly. “Black” hammers the nail with a fierce series of punches, putting “The Hulk” to sleep with his final onslaught.
Smith waves the fight off, and Ruziboev has just stamped the significant upset while becoming the first fighter to beat the hard-charging Brazilian. With 33 finishes in his 35 victories, including this crushing knockout of a well-regarded talent, Ruziboev names himself as one to watch going forward.
The Official Result
Nursulton Ruziboev def. Brunno Ferreira R1 1:17 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Brunno Ferreira but with low confidence. He acknowledges Ferreira's insane power but questions his takedown defense against a wrestling specialist like Ruziboev. He notes that Ruziboev is a live underdog and may flip his pick if the line moves. He advises avoiding betting on this fight entirely.
Big Brady picks Brunno Ferreira to win by first-round knockout. He is more impressed with Ferreira's Contender Series win and his knockout of Gregory Rodriguez than any of Ruziboev's opponents. He notes Ruziboev has poor takedown defense and Ferreira has solid wrestling and devastating ground and pound. He acknowledges Ruziboev could be legit but feels Ferreira is the safer pick.
Cody sees Ruziboev as a greasy underdog with plus money. He notes Ruziboev has 44 pro fights, has improved since moving to Daniel Gracie's team, and has a size and grappling advantage. Ferreira has big power but questionable cardio and grappling. Cody thinks Ruziboev can win by wrestling and cardio, though he acknowledges the unknown level of competition.
Daniel leans Ferreira but with low confidence due to the late opponent change and Ruziboev's length and experience. He notes Ferreira's explosive power and first-round finishing ability, but worries about closing distance against a 6'4" fighter with 20 submission wins. He acknowledges Ruziboev's poor cardio and decision record (2-6), but sees Ferreira's path to victory via takedowns or power shots. He is less confident than in the original matchup against Razak.
Paul picks Ferreira but is not confident. He notes Ferreira's power and KO of Gregory Rodrigues, but questions his cardio and grappling. Ruziboev is an unknown with a strange record. Paul thinks Ferreira's power gives him a chance, but he doesn't feel great about the pick.
The Guru picks Brunno Ferreira, noting his power and strength advantage. He criticizes Ruziboev's striking as sloppy and open to getting chinned, and believes Ferreira will stuff takedowns and land a big shot for a KO. He also notes Ruziboev's submission wins come off his back, but Ferreira won't shoot takedowns.
Andrey Pulyaev - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ruziboev (-225); Pulyaev (+180)
Round 1
Lanky middleweights Ruziboev and Pulyaev engage at a word from referee Marc Goddard. Pulyaev is southpaw, Ruziboev orthodox. Pulyaev is mobile early, circling around the outside as Ruziboev moves more conservatively, cutting off the cage and reaching out with range-finding jabs. Ruziboev grabs a snatch single-leg and dumps Pulyaev to his seat at the base of the fence. Pulyaev stands back up, and Ruziboev drags him to the canvas once more, moving to the Russian’s back and going supine in the middle of the cage with nearly three full minutes to work. Pulyaev guards his neck and tries to sit up, but Ruziboev is ultra-patient, locking up a modified body triangle, boxing Pulyaev’s ears with short punches and looking for a chance to reapply the choke. This is like watching a python swallow a goat. Ruziboev sinks an arm under the chin and squeezes, and Pulyaev is astral traveling within seconds. The man is out cold, eyes wide open, and Goddard steps in for the save. Ruziboev gets up to celebrate, leaving Pulyaev facedown and snoozing. Wow.
The Official Result
Nursulton Ruziboev def. Andrey Pulyaev R1 3:58 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
AJ picks Ruziboev due to his veteran savvy, 47-fight experience, and 20 submission wins. He thinks Pulyaev's resume is thin and that Ruziboev can outwork him, possibly mixing in takedowns. He expects the fight to go over 1.5 rounds and likes Ruziboev by decision or late finish.
AJ DeVito mentions Nursulton Ruziboev by submission at +1000 as a DGEN prop, noting he has many submission wins. He is not overconfident but thinks it's live.
AJ thinks Ruziboev can outgrapple Pulyaev and win a decision or submission. He notes Pulyaev is not physical, skinny, and lacks damaging power, while Ruziboev has a decent ground game and hits harder. AJ expects Ruziboev to bully Pulyaev in the clinch and on the mat.
AJ leans towards Ruziboev by decision, citing his superior MMA grappling, experience (47 pro fights), and ability to control the cage. He expects Ruziboev to outwork Pulyaev over three rounds, mixing in clinch work and takedowns. Pulyaev is durable but less versatile.
Angelo picks Ruziboev, highlighting his wrestling and grappling skills from regional tape. He notes that Ruziboev is a good striker and a very good grappler, and expects him to win by wrestling after getting jabbed a few times. He is surprised the line is tightening.
Angelo is very confident in Nurullo, citing his well-rounded skills and size advantage. He believes Nurullo will mix in takedowns and win on the ground or striking. He notes that Andre Pulyaev is tough but that this matchup is worse for him than his last fight. He thinks -225 is a discount.
Angelo includes Ruziboev in a parlay of confident picks, suggesting he expects him to win. No further analysis is provided in the transcript.
Big Brady picks Andrey Pulyaev to win by decision, though he dislikes the fight. He notes Pulyaev runs away and throws low-volume kicks, but Ruziboev is also low-volume and won't grapple. Brady thinks Pulyaev's 'BS' striking might be enough to win a terrible decision, calling it a potential 'worst fight in UFC history.' He will not bet on it.
Cody passes on this fight, not having strong conviction. He might consider a Ruziboev round one prop at plus 300, but otherwise no play.
Daniel Levi leans towards Nursulton Ruziboev, citing his urgency and willingness to push the pace compared to Andrey Pulyaev, who tends to get on his bike and not do enough. He respects Pulyaev's durability and craftiness but believes Ruziboev will try harder and take the fight to him. Levi expects a competitive fight but trusts Ruziboev's gas pedal more.
Jacob picks Ruziboev by submission, noting his submission arsenal is more dangerous than anything Pulyaev has faced. He thinks Ruziboev has sneaky power and can finish via submission or KO. He likes the submission prop at a good price.
Lucrative James picks Andrey Pulyaev despite it being a risky pick, because he believes Pulyaev's activity, body shots, and improving striking will be key. He notes that Ruziboev has cardio issues and doesn't look good outside round one, and that Pulyaev has faced tough competition recently. He expects Ruziboev to hurt Pulyaev early, but Pulyaev to take over in rounds two and three and win a decision.
Ruziboev is aggressive and will bully Pulyaev, finding a big shot to wobble him and then jumping on a submission. Pulyaev has a striking base but Ruziboev's pressure and reach disadvantage for Pulyaev should allow Ruziboev to control the pace. However, Ruziboev is not a favorite to play at chalk.
The host is not a big fan of Ruziboev but thinks this matchup allows him to land big shots on Pulyaev and mix in his grappling. He predicts a submission victory for the Uzbek native.
Paul picks Pulyaev as a dog, citing his southpaw stance, volume, and reach advantage. He notes Ruziboev's low volume and limited skills, and believes Pulyaev will outwork him. He sees value at plus money.
The Guru leans with Pulyaev via decision, considering him a live underdog. He notes Pulyaev's mobility, southpaw stance, and difficulty to finish, while Ruziboev has not fought in a while and may struggle with Pulyaev's range and kicks. He sees it as a pick'em fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 2 | 34 of 112 | 30% | 34 of 112 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 59 of 123 | 47% | 59 of 123 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ateba Gautier | 1 | 8 of 42 | 19% | 8 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 19 of 37 | 51% | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ateba Gautier | 1 | 15 of 41 | 36% | 15 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Ateba Gautier | 0 | 11 of 29 | 37% | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 16 of 40 | 40% | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateba Gautier | 34 of 112 | 30% | 24 of 98 | 9 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 30 of 103 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 59 of 123 | 47% | 34 of 83 | 19 of 32 | 6 of 8 | 57 of 121 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ateba Gautier | 8 of 42 | 19% | 8 of 39 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 19 of 37 | 51% | 12 of 26 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 19 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ateba Gautier | 15 of 41 | 36% | 9 of 35 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 34 | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 24 of 46 | 52% | 15 of 33 | 5 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Ateba Gautier | 11 of 29 | 37% | 7 of 24 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 16 of 40 | 40% | 7 of 24 | 7 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gautier (-900), Pulyaev (+600)
Round 1
It’s knock out or get knocked out as these prelims keep racing towards the finish line. With a mighty 2025 campaign of three first-round strike stoppages at his back, Gautier (9-1, 3-0 UFC) is aiming to become not only a breakout competitor at the age of 23, but a bona fide contender. To get there, he will have to defeat brick that hits back in the form of Pulyaev (10-3, 1-1 UFC). Ready on standby with the smelling salts is—well, it’s not referee Mark Smith, and instead the medical team, but you get the drill—and the power punchers tap their gloves together before swinging them.
Pulyaev looks for a stomp kick to the knee, and is out of range from a high kick from the other leg. Gautier wings a range-finding right hand, and he misses the mark. He stalks the Russian down and blasts him in the face with a cruise missile of a right hand, knocking Pulyaev clean off his feet. Gautier allows him to come back up to his feet and backs off, so that he can stalk his prey further. Pulyaev gets clipped again as he backpedals, with Gautier’s power so overwhelming that he is questioning his life decisions at the moment. The Russian proceeds to work the body with a kick, and sneaks in a left hand to get Gautier’s attention. Gautier gives him a right hand right back, and Pulyaev rolls with the punches and bounces off the cage wall. Gautier scores twice more with clubbing rights, and Pulyaev gets on his bike and starts jabbing. He reaches the target with a left, and dodges a telegraphed Gautier overhand right.
The Alexander Shlemenko protégé surprises Gautier with distance strikes, fighting through a storm and continuing to target the midsection. Gautier lays into him with a right hand, and Pulyaev strikes back and opens a cut on the corner of the betting favorite’s left eye. Pulyaev sticks his man with a one-two, and he knocks Gautier off-balance when Gautier sells out in attack. Pulyaev thumps the body again and unloads with a heavy left, and Gautier is starting to slow and increasingly look for the knockout blow. Pulyaev scores once and dodges the responses, and he jabs Gautier on the way out. Gautier continues stalking forward, his volume falling off fairly fast, and Pulyaev has been staging a comeback effort with multiple effective body shots. Pulyaev takes a groin shot, tells Smith he wants to keep at it, and they trade hands until the bell. Pulyaev may have stolen the round back after the early adversity, but judges’ scores may vary.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev
Round 2
The middleweights clap hands before getting to business, and Pulyaev starts off with distant kicks. He brings a high kick up that gets blocked, and takes a right hand across the forward bow as he bounces off the fencing. The Russian rips the body with a kick, and he smacks Gautier with a solid left. Gautier is left swinging at air, as he is a fraction of his former speed but still throwing with everything he has. This allows Pulyaev to potshot him with strikes, and his investment of body work has already paid off handsomely. Pulyaev gets in with a left hand and out of the way before Gautier can respond, and he belts his man in the gut again. Gautier steels himself to absorb a left hand so he can hurl back a big right, and Pulyaev wears it well. Body kicks fly from both sides, and Pulyaev doubles up on the midsection work but is caught with an overhand right. The Russian stumbles and falls on his seat, and as if he had springs in his shorts, bounds right back upright no worse for wear.
Gautier continues slowly plodding forward like a Terminator, loading up his right hand but getting nailed with a high kick and a sharp jab before tossing it out. Gautier is not about to stop hurling heavy leather, and he backs Pulyaev up against the wall and sets him down once more. Pulyaev gets back up, and Gautier stalks him down and unloads on him as Pulyaev largely defends the worst of the blows. Gautier takes some time to regenerate his energy resources, and he pitches a high kick that brushes his foe’s face. Pulyaev gets in a left hand, ducks the right, and slips. A Pulyaev head kick goes wide, and his efforts to target the body have slowed. Both men land push kicks to the knee, and Pulyaev slaps Gautier in the face with the instep of his foot. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Gautier
Round 3
Pulyaev back-hands a glove touch and stays out of range, wrapping his foot upside Gautier’s head to reintroduce himself. Gautier strikes back with a brutal right hand that stings the Russian once more, but Pulyaev is able to shake it off and keep strafing to the right away from the power. Gautier still loads up on his haymakers, and Pulyaev sees them coming a mile away and tosses back a kick. Pulyaev’s distant strikes have bloodied up Gautier’s nose, and he knows Gautier is going to throw everything at him. He does just that, and Pulyaev zips away. The volume drops off a cliff from these two middleweights, largely relegated to single swings at one another as the action slows.
Gautier keeps his guard up to defend a high kick, and he times Pulyaev bending to the side with a shin to the chin. Pulyaev’s chin is made of sterner stuff, as he absorbs what comes at him and manages to tag Gautier right back. When Pulyaev attacks the body, Gautier counters him with a scooping left. As Pulyaev stays to a wide berth, he chips at the heavy swinger and ducks down to land a big left. Gautier’s looping counters hit air and little more, so he elects to work the body with a kick. Pulyaev lines up a jab to nail the torso with another kick, and Gautier wears it well but is slow as molasses. Pulyaev whiffs on a high kick and walks around the cage as time expires, with the two surprising the masses and going to a decision. It’s anyone’s guess how the judges will value the damage and knockdowns in this matchup.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev (29-28 Gautier)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev (29-28 Pulyaev)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Pulyaev (29-28 Pulyaev)
The Official Result
Ateba Abega Gautier def. Andrey Pulyaev via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Ateba Gautier, calling him a nasty striker with incredible speed and power. He notes Gautier fades but usually finishes early. He acknowledges Andrey Pulyaev is a capable striker with a good jab but believes Gautier will likely win by knockout. He suggests looking for prop bets to find value at minus 800.
Big Brady calls this a 'sanctioned murder,' praising Gautier's manager for feeding him easy opponents. He notes Gautier has spent only about 5-6 minutes in the UFC and has knocked out everyone. He believes Pulyaev will back up and get knocked out in round one, possibly fatally.
Cody is very confident in Ateba Gautier, comparing him to Francis Ngannou in terms of athleticism and power. He believes Gautier's physicality and striking will overwhelm Pulyaev, who has poor grappling and a weak chin. Cody expects a first-round finish and has bets on Gautier by KO and under 1.5 rounds.
Connor sees Gautier as a promising prospect with a great head for MMA, while Pulyaev has terrible retreating defense and collapses inward when backing up. He notes that Gautier is an insistent pressure fighter who manages his range well, stepping in with a one-two and then taking a half-step back to land again. Connor believes Pulyaev's poor footwork and tendency to fold under pressure will be exploited.
Daniel Vreeland picks Ateba Gautier to win. He notes Gautier's physicality, knockout power, and youth at 23. He acknowledges that Pulyaev is a step up in competition and is durable, but believes Gautier's confidence and power will be the difference. Vreeland is curious about the over 1.5 rounds prop but ultimately picks Gautier.
James is extremely confident, calling Gautier an elite striker with amazing ringcraft and patience. He dismisses the narrative that Gautier only wins due to athleticism, emphasizing his technical striking. He predicts a KO win, possibly in the first round.
The host picks Gautier by first-round knockout, citing his power and explosiveness. He notes that Pulyaev is a striker but may struggle with Gautier's power and could try grappling unsuccessfully. He recommends the under 1.5 rounds as a better bet than the moneyline, as Gautier is a heavy favorite.
Paul is also confident in Gautier, calling him a future champion. He notes Gautier's youth, athleticism, and power, and believes Pulyaev's striking-heavy style plays into Gautier's hands. Paul expects a dominant performance and will include Gautier in parlays despite the high price.
The MMA Guru picks Ateba Gautier, calling it a lock due to the massive odds (-1000). He notes Gautier's finishing ability and Pulyaev's hesitancy, but also mentions a potential grappling weakness for Gautier. He predicts a first-round TKO via body shots.
Zane agrees that Gautier is the pick, highlighting that Pulyaev is not a step up from previous opponents and that Gautier's pressure and range management will be too much. He notes that Pulyaev's retreating defense is terrible and that Gautier will keep him trapped and land consistently. Zane also comments on the smart booking for Gautier's development.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 19 of 33 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 1 | 0 | 4:45 |
| Nick Klein | 1 | 23 of 31 | 74% | 30 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 9 of 18 | 50% | 18 of 30 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 3:55 |
| Nick Klein | 0 | 12 of 18 | 66% | 17 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:50 |
| Nick Klein | 1 | 11 of 13 | 84% | 13 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrey Pulyaev | 10 of 21 | 47% | 5 of 13 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 11 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Nick Klein | 23 of 31 | 74% | 15 of 22 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 18 | 9 of 11 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrey Pulyaev | 9 of 18 | 50% | 5 of 12 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 9 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Nick Klein | 12 of 18 | 66% | 7 of 12 | 5 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 10 | 7 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andrey Pulyaev | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Nick Klein | 11 of 13 | 84% | 8 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 8 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pulyaev (-160); Klein (+130)
Round 1
With both of these middleweights coming off of miserable promotional debuts, something’s gotta give in the next 15 minutes or less. Klein (6-2, 0-1 UFC) had his chin checked in February, while Pulyaev (9-3, 0-1 UFC) found himself offensively muted in March. When the dust settles, someone will likely earn their first win in the Octagon, and they will be accompanied by referee Chris Tognoni every step of the way. A clap of hands precedes the action.
Pulyaev takes to the center of the cage but has to dodge two front kicks right out of the gate. Klein crashes forward and takes him to the mat, where he starts bludgeoning the Russian with powerful punches. Pulyaev fights back to his feet, and Klein dramatically mat returns him. When they land, Klein circles around to take Pulyaev’s back, getting both hooks in while fishing for a rear-naked choke. Pulyaev fights the hands to defend the submission, and he pushes his feet off the wall to get some leverage to escape. This allows him to kick off, and Klein is on him like a dog with a bone as he goes after a double. Pulyaev posts off his hands to not go down, but Klein is still behind him trying to wrangle him to the floor. Klein transitions to a single, but the taller fighter staves it off and knees Klein in the belly. Klein responds in kind. Tognoni asks for Klein to do more.
They trade short knees and body shots on the inside, with Klein imposing his weight all the while. The knees from Klein produce a louder sound upon impact, and he tries for a single or two but is stood up each time. Pulyaev desperately escapes with a minute to go, and he lets his hands go and blasts Klein in the face with three crisp punches. Klein hurries to clinch him back up rather than getting smacked in the face repeatedly, looping his leg around Pulyaev’s for a body lock effort. Pulyaev fights it off and knees his man in the jaw, following with a left hand. Klein hits him back and races after him to bowl him over, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Klein
Chris Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Klein
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Klein
Round 2
Pulyaev shakes his arms out before getting going, and they bump fists. Pulyaev reintroduces himself with a head kick that shakes Klein’s mullet, and Klein responds with a single-leg entry. The attempt pushes the Russian to the wall, where Klein gladly embraces the grind as he knees his opponent a few times as he searches for a body lock. Pulyaev tries to grab the fence to stay upright, and Tognoni is paying close attention. Pulyaev reverse-somersaults to get out and stands back up, where he grabs hold of a clinch to hammer Klein with knees to the body. One stern knee from Pulyaev slashes open Klein’s right eyebrow. Klein backs off, his body language changing drastically, and
Pulyaev blasts him in the liver with his shin that makes a popping sound. Klein reels from the savage blow, backing up a bit but not fast enough to avoid a one-two down the pipe. The destructive left hand from Pulyaev sends Klein collapsing to the mat, and on the way down, Pulyaev delivers one punctuating soccer kick of questionable legality—replays show it appears to have snuck under the arms to connect to the body. To finish the job, Pulyaev smashes his foe in the face with a left hand, and Klein slumps over as Tognoni rushes in to stop the fight.
That tale of two fights could scarcely be more different, and the end result is what matters: Pulyaev records a knockout in his first UFC win, as he puts Klein on his first losing streak.
The Official Result
Andrey Pulyaev def. Nick Klein R2 1:31 via TKO (Body Kick and Punches)
Connor picks Nick Klein because he has a clear, direct game plan focused on wrestling and pace, while Pulyaev is a passive range fighter who struggles when opponents get inside. However, Connor notes that Klein's striking is underdeveloped and he may struggle to set up takedowns if he can't close distance effectively. He acknowledges the fight is low-level and either fighter could win if they implement their game.
Zane also picks Klein, agreeing that Pulyaev's game is structured to keep him away from a fight, while Klein will pursue and chase. However, Zane worries that if Klein can't get his wrestling going early, he could get picked apart by Pulyaev's range tools. He notes Klein's striking is raw and he may struggle to set up takedowns.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 73 of 141 | 51% | 116 of 187 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 5:36 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 18 of 55 | 32% | 36 of 78 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 16 of 34 | 47% | 44 of 62 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:50 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 14 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 28 of 57 | 49% | 31 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 12 of 36 | 33% | 14 of 38 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 3 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 0 | 29 of 50 | 58% | 41 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:04 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 0 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 8 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Leroy Duncan | 73 of 141 | 51% | 35 of 87 | 17 of 28 | 21 of 26 | 47 of 105 | 26 of 36 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 18 of 55 | 32% | 8 of 43 | 7 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 14 of 48 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 16 of 34 | 47% | 6 of 17 | 5 of 10 | 5 of 7 | 8 of 23 | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 4 of 11 | 36% | 1 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 28 of 57 | 49% | 10 of 33 | 5 of 9 | 13 of 15 | 27 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 12 of 36 | 33% | 6 of 28 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Christian Leroy Duncan | 29 of 50 | 58% | 19 of 37 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 26 | 17 of 24 | 0 of 0 |
| Andrey Pulyaev | 2 of 8 | 25% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Duncan (-625), Pulyaev (+455)
Round 1
Jason Herzog will be the third man in the cage for this middleweight bout. Duncan lands a couple leg kicks early. Pulyaev just misses on a head kick. Duncan applies pressure and then moves in behind a spinning back elbow and a punching combination against the fence. Duncan forces the clinch and throws a few knees in close quarters.Pulyaev is able to reverse and turn his foe into the fence. Pulyaev tries to lift Duncan but is unsuccessful as they remain engaged. Now Duncan reverses position as the clinch battle continues. Duncan creates space to land a right hand but they remain in something of a stalemate. Duncan lands some knees and Herzog checks with Pulyaev to make sure they weren’t low. Pulyaev says he’s good. The grinding fight continues, and it’s Duncan staying busy with knees to the thighs and body. With about 50 seconds to go, Herzog breaks them up. Pulyaev lands a body kick and Dunan moves forward with a jab. Pulyaev slams a kick up high off Duncan’s forearm. They end the round at distance.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Round 2
Duncan lands a kick to the knees and then another up high. Pulyaev answers with a high kick that’s blocked. Duncan pressures with punches, backing Pulyaev up before shooting for the takedown. Now we’re back in the clinch, with Duncan shoving the Russian into the wire. Pulyaev uses a body lock to turn his man around and he lands a solid knee. They seprate and Duncan moves in with a clean right hand .Duncan keeps the pressure on, as Pulyaev is on the defensive. A spinning back kick from Duncan lands on his foe’s leg. Duncan lands a leg kick. A left partially lands for the Englishman. Pulyaev kicks the body, but Duncan answers with a 1-2 and a kick to the body. A spinning back elbow and a left puts Pulyaev on the defensive. Duncan keeps moving forward with a front kick. Pulyaev finds space to land a body kick. Duncan keeps stalking, looking for openings. He lands a couple solid leg kicks as Pulyaev circles on the outside. Duncan misses on a spinning high kick at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan
Round 3
Duncan gets back to work with a kick heavy attack, some that land, and some that keep his opponent guessing. Pulyaev has a head kick blocked. Duncan grabs the clinch and lands a forceful shoulder strike, pulling his foe’s head down from the plum. They battle for control in the clinch, a recurring theme at various times in this fight. Herzog urges the fighters to keep working and they separate on their own. Pulyev gets a body lock, but Duncan denies the takedown. Pulyaev has double underhooks, but not much is happening here. Pulyaev throws an elbow as they break. Duncan misses a right and Pulyaev forces the clinch again. Duncan reverses and lands a knee against the fence. Duncan whiffs on a spinning elbow and the Russian takes the opportunity to shove his man into the cage. Pulyaev briefly gets a rear body lock, but it’s fleeting, as Duncan takes control of the ongoing clinch battle. Duncan creates space and lands a forceful knee. Moments later, Duncan lands a glancing flying knee before the combatants return to the clinch. Herzog tells them to work. Duncan finds space and lands a few elbows. Late in the round, Duncan hurts his foe near the fence and tees off with punches, elbows and knees. Pulyaev covers up and is able to survive until the end of the fight.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Duncan (30-27 Duncan)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Duncan (30-27 Duncan)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Duncan (30-27 Duncan)
The Official Result
Christian Leroy Duncan def. Andrey Pulyaev via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Christian Leroy Duncan as a massive favorite, stating the odds are spot on. He notes that while Duncan was out-wrestled in his last fight, Pulyaev's striking is limited to an occasional jab, so Duncan won't have to worry about power. He believes Duncan's takedown defense will hold up, and as the fight goes on, Pulyaev's takedowns will become sloppier.
Brady sees Duncan as a big favorite who beats lower-level guys in spectacular fashion. He thinks Pulyaev is in the same category as Duncan's previous wins. Brady predicts a second-round knockout, noting Pulyaev looked good on the contender series but fought a punching bag.
Connor agrees with Zane, calling Pulyaev a failed experiment with very low level competition. He notes Duncan is tough, athletic, and has developing clinch skills. Connor thinks Pulyaev's main instinct to yank his head back will be exploited by Duncan's dynamic striking.
The host believes Duncan is far more athletic, powerful, and quicker on the feet, which will lead to a knockout in the second or third round. He emphasizes Duncan's physical advantages.
The Guru confidently picks Christian Leroy Duncan, believing he is too powerful and dense for Pulyaev, who he describes as frail and manipulatable. He expects Duncan to pressure Pulyaev backwards, push him against the cage, and land knees and elbows. He predicts a TKO in round two, as Pulyaev becomes more hesitant after being pressured early.
Zane picks Duncan confidently, noting Pulyaev's wins are built on being the only tall guy on his regional scene. He thinks Pulyaev has bad defensive reactions and is hittable, while Duncan is athletic, fast, powerful, and aggressive. Zane believes Duncan will cover distance well and find the holes in Pulyaev's game.
Expert Picks (16)
AJ picks Ruziboev due to his veteran savvy, 47-fight experience, and 20 submission wins. He thinks Pulyaev's resume is thin and that Ruziboev can outwork him, possibly mixing in takedowns. He expects the fight to go over 1.5 rounds and likes Ruziboev by decision or late finish.
AJ DeVito mentions Nursulton Ruziboev by submission at +1000 as a DGEN prop, noting he has many submission wins. He is not overconfident but thinks it's live.
AJ thinks Ruziboev can outgrapple Pulyaev and win a decision or submission. He notes Pulyaev is not physical, skinny, and lacks damaging power, while Ruziboev has a decent ground game and hits harder. AJ expects Ruziboev to bully Pulyaev in the clinch and on the mat.
AJ leans towards Ruziboev by decision, citing his superior MMA grappling, experience (47 pro fights), and ability to control the cage. He expects Ruziboev to outwork Pulyaev over three rounds, mixing in clinch work and takedowns. Pulyaev is durable but less versatile.
Angelo includes Ruziboev in a parlay of confident picks, suggesting he expects him to win. No further analysis is provided in the transcript.
Angelo picks Ruziboev, highlighting his wrestling and grappling skills from regional tape. He notes that Ruziboev is a good striker and a very good grappler, and expects him to win by wrestling after getting jabbed a few times. He is surprised the line is tightening.
Angelo is very confident in Nurullo, citing his well-rounded skills and size advantage. He believes Nurullo will mix in takedowns and win on the ground or striking. He notes that Andre Pulyaev is tough but that this matchup is worse for him than his last fight. He thinks -225 is a discount.
Big Brady picks Andrey Pulyaev to win by decision, though he dislikes the fight. He notes Pulyaev runs away and throws low-volume kicks, but Ruziboev is also low-volume and won't grapple. Brady thinks Pulyaev's 'BS' striking might be enough to win a terrible decision, calling it a potential 'worst fight in UFC history.' He will not bet on it.
Cody passes on this fight, not having strong conviction. He might consider a Ruziboev round one prop at plus 300, but otherwise no play.
Daniel Levi leans towards Nursulton Ruziboev, citing his urgency and willingness to push the pace compared to Andrey Pulyaev, who tends to get on his bike and not do enough. He respects Pulyaev's durability and craftiness but believes Ruziboev will try harder and take the fight to him. Levi expects a competitive fight but trusts Ruziboev's gas pedal more.
Jacob picks Ruziboev by submission, noting his submission arsenal is more dangerous than anything Pulyaev has faced. He thinks Ruziboev has sneaky power and can finish via submission or KO. He likes the submission prop at a good price.
Lucrative James picks Andrey Pulyaev despite it being a risky pick, because he believes Pulyaev's activity, body shots, and improving striking will be key. He notes that Ruziboev has cardio issues and doesn't look good outside round one, and that Pulyaev has faced tough competition recently. He expects Ruziboev to hurt Pulyaev early, but Pulyaev to take over in rounds two and three and win a decision.
The host is not a big fan of Ruziboev but thinks this matchup allows him to land big shots on Pulyaev and mix in his grappling. He predicts a submission victory for the Uzbek native.
Ruziboev is aggressive and will bully Pulyaev, finding a big shot to wobble him and then jumping on a submission. Pulyaev has a striking base but Ruziboev's pressure and reach disadvantage for Pulyaev should allow Ruziboev to control the pace. However, Ruziboev is not a favorite to play at chalk.
Paul picks Pulyaev as a dog, citing his southpaw stance, volume, and reach advantage. He notes Ruziboev's low volume and limited skills, and believes Pulyaev will outwork him. He sees value at plus money.
The Guru leans with Pulyaev via decision, considering him a live underdog. He notes Pulyaev's mobility, southpaw stance, and difficulty to finish, while Ruziboev has not fought in a while and may struggle with Pulyaev's range and kicks. He sees it as a pick'em fight.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!