Shavkat Rakhmonov submits Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira in UFC debut
The reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is back at UFC 254 tonight, Saturday, Oct. 24. He is set to defend his title against the current interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje in the event’s headliner in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
In the co-main event, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker welcomes the surging Jared Cannonier.
The second fight in the preliminary card will feature welterweight bout between Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira and Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Oliveira (22-8, 2 NC) has been having a great 2020. First he defeated Max Griffin at UFC 248 in March which snapped a three-fight losing streak. In then followed up that win by defeating Peter Sobotta in July by unanimous decision. Now he’ll look to go 3-0 on the year.
Rakhmonov (12-0) will be making his UFC debut after having three fights fall out this year. He’ll bring a lot of power to the octagon as he has six wins by TKO. He also has five submission victories as well.
Here’s how their fight went down with round-by-round scoring. For a full list of results, click here.
Round 1
Oliveira lands a slick jab and ducks under a punch from Rakhmonov right off the bat.
Oliveira is fast. He’s showcased his speed a few times now with some quick jabs and quick kicks.
Rakhmonov lands a big knee and just missed on a punch that would have ended the fight. Now Rakhmonov goes to the clinch and is throwing knees to the body and lands a few shots.
Oliveira is able to spin Rakhmonov around and is controlling the clinch work now. Oliveira changes levels and tries for a takedown, but it’s unsuccessful.
As Oliveira looks for another takedown, Rakhmonov locks in a guillotine choke and Oliveira has to tap out with just 20 seconds left in the round.
Official result: Shavkat Rakhmonov defeats Alex Oliveira by first-round submission due to a guillotine choke (4:40)
