The UFC returns to their home in Las Vegas, Nevada at the UFC Apex as both surging lightweight contenders look to put this stacked division on notice with a dominant victory over their opponent. The main event features #11 Arman Tsarukyan battling #12 Mateusz Gamrot. Get your results for these fights right here on MMASucka.
Main Event Preview
Arman Tsarukyan and Mateusz Gamrot both stumbled when they first came into the UFC. Gamrot lost a split decision in his UFC debut to Guram Kutaeladze on October 18, 2020, while Tsarukyan lost a competitive contest to the Dagestani fighter who many believe to be the next contender for the UFC belt Islam Makhachev. Ever since their debut losses, the two fighters have been on an absolute tear.
The Polish Gamrot has shown his tenacious fighting style whether it goes to the ground or on the feet. Defeating Scott Holtzman by KO with his striking, submitting Jeremy Stephens early in the first round via kimura, and putting a grinding pace on Carlos Diego Ferreira to get a TKO victory, he has shown that he has many ways to win.
Arman Tsarukyan, at only 25 years old, has shown great improvements since his loss to Islam Makhachev. From putting on workmanlike performances against Olivier Aubin Mercier, Davi Ramos, and Matt Frevola, to showcasing his striking with a TKO over Christos Giagos and a ground and pound finish over the talented Joel Alvarez, he has shown he is a formidable opponent.
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Co-Main Event Preview
The co-main event of the evening presents the 26 UFC fight veteran Neil Magny vs Shavkat Rakhmonov. Magny looks to put a halt to the undefeated Rakhmonov and push the young fighter to uncharted territories.
Characterized by his skills, efficiency, and professionalism inside and outside the Octagon, Neil Magny is constantly raising his hand to fight the newest and possibly most troublesome matchups in this 170-pound division. The Elevation Fight Team combatant has won six out of his last seven fights showcasing his striking, grappling, ability to weather an early storm, and most importantly his trademark cardio.
Despite only having three fights in the UFC, Rakhmonov has shown the fans everything you want in a champion. He used his disciplined striking to first hurt the fan-favorite Alex Oliveira and then finish the Brazilian with a very slick submission. He also showcased his grappling by submitting Michel Prazeres along with getting a highlight reel spinning hook kick win over Carlston Harris. These impressive finishes have given Rakhmonov this big step up in competition.
Main Card Preview
Kicking off the main card is a grappler vs striker battle between the multiple-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Rodolfo Vieira vs Chris Curtis. Vieria just returned to the winner’s column when he submitted Dustin Stoltzfus. Curtis has had an excellent start to a UFC career knocking out Phil Hawes and Brendan Allen at the end of 2021.
Nathan Maness will look to continue his momentum from his TKO win over Tony Gravely and handing the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov his first loss. Nurmagomedov has made quick work of Brian Kelleher and Sergey Morozov in his last two fights by submitting them both before the third round using his kicks to eventually set up his dominant grappling.
Next up in the lightweight division Thiago Moises and Christos Giagos will look to bounce back from demoralizing losses. Moises was thought to have significant upside until he lost to Islam Makachev by submission in a five-round fight and then lost via TKO against Joel Alvarez. Giagos lost to main event fighter Arman Tsarukyan via TKO in the first round back in September of 2021.
Finally, before the co-main event, both heavyweights look to get back into the win column with Josh Parisian battling Alan Baudot. Both fighters are relatively young in their careers only having two UFC fights each under their belts. Parisian has gone 1-1 in the organization while Baudot has gone 0-2.
Main Card (ESPN, ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET)
Mateusz Gamrot def. Arman Tsarukyan via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Neil Magny via submission (guillotine choke)- Round 2, 4:58
Josh Parisian def. Alan Baudot via TKO (ground and pound)- Round 2, 3:04
Thiago Moises def. Christos Giagos via submission (rear naked choke)- Round 1, 3:05
Umar Nurmagomedov def. Nathan Maness via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
Chris Curtis def. Rodolfo Vieria via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary Card (ESPN 2, ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET)
Carlos Ulberg def. Tafon Nchukwi via TKO (punches)- Round 1, 0:15
Shayilan Nuerdanbieke def. TJ Brown via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Sergey Morozoc def. Raulian Paiva via Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Cody Durden def. JP Buys via TKO (punches)- Round 1, 1:08
Mario Bautista def. Brian Kelleher via submission (rear naked choke)- Round 1, 2:27
Vanessa Demopoulos def. Jinh Yu Frey via Unanimous Decision (29-28,29-28,30-27)
