Andrey Pulyaev
Russia
Hangs tough in decision loss
Pulyaev lost to Ateba Gautier via unanimous decision (27-30, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC 324 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
The fact Pulyaev managed to go the distance here was arguably the most impressive performance of the night thus far. He deserves one of those bonuses the UFC is handing out like water these days. Pulyaev was knocked down just seconds into the fight and seemed to be on borrowed time, but he recovered. He was again knocked down late in Round 2, but survived. Pulyaev actually got the better of the action in between, but all the notable blows came from the Gautier side. He has lost two of three fights with the company but is going nowhere following this impressive effort.
The fact Pulyaev managed to go the distance here was arguably the most impressive performance of the night thus far. He deserves one of those bonuses the UFC is handing out like water these days. Pulyaev was knocked down just seconds into the fight and seemed to be on borrowed time, but he recovered. He was again knocked down late in Round 2, but survived. Pulyaev actually got the better of the action in between, but all the notable blows came from the Gautier side. He has lost two of three fights with the company but is going nowhere following this impressive effort.
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Facing Gautier at UFC 324
Pulyaev will fight Ateba Gautier at UFC 324 on Jan. 24, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Fresh off claiming his first UFC victory over Nick Klein in August, Pulyaev will now be tested against Gautier, who has yet to lose a fight three bouts into his UFC career. In addition to getting off to a slower start, Pulyaev will have to overcome a 2.5-inch reach disadvantage.
Fresh off claiming his first UFC victory over Nick Klein in August, Pulyaev will now be tested against Gautier, who has yet to lose a fight three bouts into his UFC career. In addition to getting off to a slower start, Pulyaev will have to overcome a 2.5-inch reach disadvantage.
Picks up first official UFC win
Pulyaev defeated Nick Klein via TKO (body kick, strikes) at 1:31 of Round 2 at UFC Vegas 108 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
It wasn't a great first round for Pulyaev, as he was put on his back three times and controlled for a total of 3:55, but he did manage some return fire at the end of the frame. He opened Round 2 with a head kick before defending the takedown and eventually finding Klein's face with a well-placed knee. That proved to be the beginning of the end, as Pulyaev landed multiple additional kicks and a big left hand to eventually close the proceedings. Pulyaev improves to 1-1 in the UFC with the win, bouncing back from a March debut loss to Christian Leroy Duncan.
It wasn't a great first round for Pulyaev, as he was put on his back three times and controlled for a total of 3:55, but he did manage some return fire at the end of the frame. He opened Round 2 with a head kick before defending the takedown and eventually finding Klein's face with a well-placed knee. That proved to be the beginning of the end, as Pulyaev landed multiple additional kicks and a big left hand to eventually close the proceedings. Pulyaev improves to 1-1 in the UFC with the win, bouncing back from a March debut loss to Christian Leroy Duncan.
Follow-up fight scheduled
Pulyaev will take on Nick Klein in a middleweight matchup at UFC Vegas 108 on August 2, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Pulyaev lost his UFC debut to Christian Leroy Duncan in March, managing just 18 significant strikes in the 15-minute affair. He now takes on Klein, who was finished in his UFC debut in February. Pulyaev will hold height and reach advantages when the cage doors close.
Pulyaev lost his UFC debut to Christian Leroy Duncan in March, managing just 18 significant strikes in the 15-minute affair. He now takes on Klein, who was finished in his UFC debut in February. Pulyaev will hold height and reach advantages when the cage doors close.
Not competitive in UFC debut
Pulyaev lost to Christian Leroy Duncan via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 26-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.
ANALYSIS
Pulyaev earned his UFC opportunity with a unanimous decision win on Dana White's Contender Series last August as a +160 underdog. He found himself as a +360 underdog here, largest on the entire card, and wasn't the least bit competitive in a very boring fight. Pulyaev managed just 18 significant strikes and failed on all four of his takedown attempts. To his credit, he didn't allow Duncan to land much, but Pulyaev simply didn't generate enough offense of his own to win a decision. There's a non-zero chance the 27-year-old Russian will need a win his next time out to maintain his roster spot.
Pulyaev earned his UFC opportunity with a unanimous decision win on Dana White's Contender Series last August as a +160 underdog. He found himself as a +360 underdog here, largest on the entire card, and wasn't the least bit competitive in a very boring fight. Pulyaev managed just 18 significant strikes and failed on all four of his takedown attempts. To his credit, he didn't allow Duncan to land much, but Pulyaev simply didn't generate enough offense of his own to win a decision. There's a non-zero chance the 27-year-old Russian will need a win his next time out to maintain his roster spot.
UFC debut scheduled
Pulyaev is scheduled to compete against Christian Leroy Duncan in a middleweight fight at UFC London on March 22, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Pulyaev earned a UFC contract via Dana White's Contender Series in August. He defeated Liam Anderson via unanimous decision despite being an underdog for the DWCS fight.
Pulyaev earned a UFC contract via Dana White's Contender Series in August. He defeated Liam Anderson via unanimous decision despite being an underdog for the DWCS fight.