Muin Gafurov
Tajik
Tajikistan
Wiklacz scheduled in Vegas
Gafurov (undisclosed) is scheduled to compete against fellow bantamweight Jakub Wiklacz at UFC Fight Night 256 in Las Vegas on Feb. 7, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Gafurov and Miles Johns were scheduled to fight at UFC Vegas 111 before the former withdrew. Currently 2-2 in UFC action, the former will look to get himself a positive record in February. Gafurov is more of a promotion veteran compared to Wiklacz, who has only one fight but an impressive win over ex-Bellator champion Patchy Mix.
Gafurov and Miles Johns were scheduled to fight at UFC Vegas 111 before the former withdrew. Currently 2-2 in UFC action, the former will look to get himself a positive record in February. Gafurov is more of a promotion veteran compared to Wiklacz, who has only one fight but an impressive win over ex-Bellator champion Patchy Mix.
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Pulls out of Johns fight
Gafurov will no longer face Miles Johns in a bantamweight bout at UFC Vegas 111 on Nov. 8, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Gafurov has pulled out of his bout with Johns for reasons currently undisclosed. The fighter, who sits at 2-2 in the UFC, will need to wait a little longer to improve his record in the promotion.
Gafurov has pulled out of his bout with Johns for reasons currently undisclosed. The fighter, who sits at 2-2 in the UFC, will need to wait a little longer to improve his record in the promotion.
Fighting Johns next
Gafurov will fight Miles Johns at UFC Vegas 110 on Nov. 1, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
After dropping his first two UFC fights, Gafurov has now earned back-to-back victories, including an upset over Rinya Nakamura during his most recent showing. The 29-year-old bantamweight will now aim to make it three straight while fighting an opponent who has dropped back-to-back fights.
After dropping his first two UFC fights, Gafurov has now earned back-to-back victories, including an upset over Rinya Nakamura during his most recent showing. The 29-year-old bantamweight will now aim to make it three straight while fighting an opponent who has dropped back-to-back fights.
Pulls upset of top prospect
Gafurov defeated Rinya Nakamura via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC 311 on Saturday in Los Angeles.
ANALYSIS
Few could have seen this result coming. Entering with a 1-2 career mark in the UFC, in addition to suffering a split decision defeat on Dana White's Contender Series, Gafurov was a +500 underdog against Nakamura and managed to completely shut down a guy that was viewed as one of the top prospects in the sport. Muin was only credited with one knockdown, but it sure felt as if he landed three or four blows which sent his opponent tumbling to the mat. Gafurov's performance was aided by the fact Nakamura attempted just one takedown. The next challenge for the 28-year-old Tajik fighter will be to put forth another quality performance his next time out.
Few could have seen this result coming. Entering with a 1-2 career mark in the UFC, in addition to suffering a split decision defeat on Dana White's Contender Series, Gafurov was a +500 underdog against Nakamura and managed to completely shut down a guy that was viewed as one of the top prospects in the sport. Muin was only credited with one knockdown, but it sure felt as if he landed three or four blows which sent his opponent tumbling to the mat. Gafurov's performance was aided by the fact Nakamura attempted just one takedown. The next challenge for the 28-year-old Tajik fighter will be to put forth another quality performance his next time out.
Tough draw at UFC 311
Gafurov will take on Rinya Nakamura in a bantamweight matchup at UFC 311 on January 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Gafurov picked up his first UFC victory in three official attempts last June when he took a unanimous decision from Kyung Ho Kang, but his roster status likely remains on thin ice. The UFC elected to give him an incredibly difficult test in Nakamura, who is 3-0 with the company since getting his chance via Road to the UFC. Both men stand with identical height and reach numbers, but Nakamura holds the statistical edges is striking offense, striking defense and takedown volume.
Gafurov picked up his first UFC victory in three official attempts last June when he took a unanimous decision from Kyung Ho Kang, but his roster status likely remains on thin ice. The UFC elected to give him an incredibly difficult test in Nakamura, who is 3-0 with the company since getting his chance via Road to the UFC. Both men stand with identical height and reach numbers, but Nakamura holds the statistical edges is striking offense, striking defense and takedown volume.
Finally earns first UFC win
Gafurov defeated Kyung Ho Kang via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
ANALYSIS
It is Gafurov's first UFC victory in three attempts and a performance that likely saved his job in the process. Still, it was far from a flawless effort. Gafurov was multiple steps ahead of Kang on the feet, but he allowed his opponent to land 3-of-11 takedown attempts. Muin found himself in a few terrible spots on the mat, but Kang didn't take advantage of it in the least. The win should ensure we see Gafurov back in the Octagon, but he needs to put forth another strong effort his next time out.
It is Gafurov's first UFC victory in three attempts and a performance that likely saved his job in the process. Still, it was far from a flawless effort. Gafurov was multiple steps ahead of Kang on the feet, but he allowed his opponent to land 3-of-11 takedown attempts. Muin found himself in a few terrible spots on the mat, but Kang didn't take advantage of it in the least. The win should ensure we see Gafurov back in the Octagon, but he needs to put forth another strong effort his next time out.