Makhmud Muradov Finishes Andrew Sanchez at UFC 257
The first fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously is back to headline UFC 257 on Saturday, Jan. 23.
The former UFC lightweight and featherweight king Conor McGregor returns to the octagon in a rematch with the former 155-pound interim champion Dustin Poirier in Abu Dhabi. The former Bellator lightweight titleholder Michael Chandler makes his UFC debut against ranked contender Dan Hooker in the co-main event.
This featured fight is between two middleweights, Andrew Sanchez (12-5) and Makhmud Muradov (24-6). Muradov has captured two wins since entering the UFC. He last defeated Trevor “Hot Sauce” Smith via third-round TKO at 4:09 at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik, where he also won the Performance of the Night bonus. Earlier in 2019, Muradov won his UFC debut against Alessio Di Chirico in a three-round decision at UFC Fight Night 160: Hermansson vs. Cannonier.
Now the native of Tajikistan enters the octagon against the Season 23 winner of The Ultimate Fighter. Sanchez won The Ultimate Fighter Season 23 in the light heavyweight division. Now he is fighting at middleweight and looking to improve his winning streak to two and improve his UFC record to 6-3. The American hopes to fight his way into a top 15 ranking with an impressive win over Muradov.
Round-by-Round Action:
Round 1:
Both fighters take the center of the cage. MM throws a head kick but misses. Sanchez throws a few faints but doesn’t follow up with the faints. Sanchez throws a head kick and then goes for a takedown and is stuffed by MM. Each fighter continues to throw strikes but not landing anything significant. MM throws a couple strikes and then follows up with a head kick attempt that pushes Sanchez against the cage where they clinch for a couple of seconds. They quickly separate and continue dancing around the cage. MM goes to the body. MM changes levels and then lands a few strikes as he throws a hook over the top. Sanchez is on his heels backing up from MM. MM lands a few more strikes and attempts a false takedown that he pulls out of it and the round ends.
Round 2
Sanchez comes out trying to push forward. MM swings back and the two of them are in the center of the cage before MM takes a shot to the twig and berries that didn’t look like it made contact at all. They get back to the action and Sanchez goes swinging forward. Both fighters throwing heavy shots and missing until MM lands two big strikes to the face. MM landed a flush straight right and then followed up with two strikes before the rounded ended.
Round 3
They touch gloves and then Sanchez landed a head kick the moves MM back. The two fighters continue exchanging strikes. They’re standing in the middle of the cage tossing strikes back and forth. MM lands a monster overhand right that wobbles Sanchez. Then follows it up with two knees and a few more strikes to the head before the referee calls the fight.
official decision: Muradov def Sanchez via TKO in round 3, at 2:59.
