Read below for a recap of the main card at UFC Vegas 87, where Jairzinho Rozenstruik took on Shamil Gaziev in the night’s main event.
Matt Schnell vs. Steve Erceg – Flyweight
Returning after a year out of the octagon, Schnell looks to make it three fight-related bonuses in four bouts against the 11-1 Steve Erceg in tonight’s main card opener.
Round 1
Erceg lands a nice left hand just a few seconds into the fight, which leaves a cut above Schnell’s eyebrow. Both men are willing to stand in the middle of the octagon and trade; Erceg gets the better of the early stand-up exchanges.
Erceg now bleeds from his nose. Cormier says on commentary that Schnell needs to start throwing kicks at the end of his combinations.
Erceg rocks Schnell with a right hand and gets carried away looking for the finish. His eagerness leads to him being hit flush by Schnell. A great opening round.
Round 2
Erceg lands a one-two combination just thirty seconds into the round, flat-lining Matt Schnell with a left hook.
Steve Erceg wins via KO in round two.
Umar Nurmagomedov Vs. Bekzat Almakhan – Bantamweight
Khabib’s cousin is undefeated and boasts a 16-0 record. His fifth UFC appearance is against Bezkat Almakhan, who has good wrestling and versatile striking abilities. He should prove a big test for the highly rated Dagestani.
Round 1
Almakhan lands a nasty right hand, which floors Umar, but he recovers well, considering how much he was rocked. They end up on the mat, and Nurmagomedov shows why his ground game is so highly rated. He gains top position and lands a couple of elbows on Almakhan.
Round 2
Nurmagomedov lands a takedown after Almakhan misses a kick and secured half-guard. Almakhan escapes and throws a leg kick as his opponent returns to his feet – possibly an illegal strike, but the referee, Marc Goddard, decides against taking action.
Almakhan eats several strikes on the ground a minute later but once again gets back up, although it’s brief. Nurmagomedov is taking him down with ease and has caused a lot of damage from top position in round two.
Round 3
Almakhan likely needs a stoppage if he wants to be victorious. He has more success on the feet, but it’s not long before he’s taken down again. The rest of the round is spent on the mat with Nurmagomedov in a dominant position.
Umar Nurmagomedov wins via unanimous decision – 30-25, 30-26 x2.
Alex Perez vs. Muhammad Mokaev
Perez is ranked #9 in the flyweight division going into tonight’s bout against the unbeaten #8 Muhammad Mokaev,
Round 1
A nice uppercut from Mokaev sends Perez backward – he bounces straight off the cage and back into action. High output from both men before Mokaev throws a nice knee from the clinch. The round ends with Mokaev throwing numerous punches on the ground.
Round 2
The second round begins with Mokaev asserting dominance with his grappling; Perez shows good defense and manages to stay on his feet despite having his opponent on his back for a long spell. A left hand hurts Mokaev but he shoots for the legs of Perez to prevent further damage. Perez attempts a cradle, but Mokaev escapes. We could be 1-1 going into the final round.
Round 3
Mokaev’s corner is telling him to wrestle. Neither man causes much damage in the first half of round three, and if it continues, this fight could go either way.
Perez continues to show good takedown defense as Mokaev currently has 3 successful takedowns from 18 attempts. The Brit begins to throw strikes on his feet before trying to take the fight to the ground but Perez can see it coming time after time. Daniel Cormier thinks Mokaev has done enough to win, but the only three opinions that matter are those of the judges:
Muhammad Mokaev wins via unanimous decision – 29-28 x3.
Vitor Petrino vs. Tyson Pedro – Light Heavyweight
Pedro is coming off a first-round finish, and his opponent, the Brazilian Petrino, is unbeaten in his ten MMA fights.
Round 1
Cagey opening minute. Petrino’s leg kicks are as hard as they come, and Pedro is having a hard time checking them. Both men swing wildly but fail to connect for the most part.
Round 2
Left hand lands from Petrino, who has been the slightly more aggressive fighter so far, although there’s not been much in it. Both men have landed 17 significant strikes with 90 seconds left in the round.
Round 3
Nice combination by Petrino which ends with a head kick. Petrino gets the takedown the second time of asking but not much happens; this has been the theme of the fight so far.
Vitor Petrino wins via unanimous decision, 30-27 x 2, 29-28.
Main Event – Jairzinho Rozenstruik Vs. Shamil Gaziev – Heavyweight
The knockout machine, Rozenstruik (13-5), is against the undefeated Shamil Gaziev (12-0). Gaziev is the -190 favorite despite competing in what is just his second UFC fight.
Round 1
Gaziev tries to walk Rozenstruik down and push him back against the fence. His frame is imposing, but it doesn’t stop Rozenstruik from swinging at any given opportunity. Gaziev lands a right hand, and the pair clinch against the fence, Gaziev being the aggressor. He gets the takedown with the single-leg, the first of his UFC career.
Round 2
Nice knee from Gaziev as he continues to apply the pressure. He’s breathing heavily, starting to fatigue, perhaps. Rozenstruik throws some jabs before he’s pushed back to the fence.
Round 3
Jab city from Rozenstruik as the pace has slowed from Gaziev. It was a lovely combo from Jairzinho, and blood is now pouring from his opponent. The culmination of jabs now seems to be reaping benefits.
Round 4
Gaziev eats a big combo and tries, and struggles, to get the takedown in response. Rozenstruik lands more and more, and Gaziev now has blood all over his bicep. After a discussion between Marc Goddard and the doctor at the end of the fourth, the fight is called off. It appears as though Gaziev can’t see out of his eye.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik wins via TKO.
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