Latest news with #NazimSadykhov
USA Today
21-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nazim Sadykhov gets UFC homecoming in Azerbaijan vs. Nikolas Motta
Nazim Sadykhov gets UFC homecoming in Azerbaijan vs. Nikolas Motta Nazim Sadykhov's wish has been granted. A proud representative of Azerbaijan, Sadykhov (10-1-1 MMA, 3-0-1 UFC) will fight in the country's capital of Baku at the UFC Fight Night event June 21 when he takes on Nikolas Motta (15-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) in a three-round lightweight bout. The event is the UFC's first to be held in Azerbaijan. Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Sadykhov, 30, has yet to lose in the UFC. He holds wins over Evan Elder, Terrance McKinney, and Ismael Bonfim. He also drew in a Fight of the Night bonus vs. Viacheslav Borshchev. Motta, 32, went 1-2 with one no contest in his first four UFC outings but has since picked up back-to-back wins: a 63-second knockout of Tom Nolan, followed by a unanimous decision win over Maheshate Hayisaer. With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for Baku includes:
USA Today
16-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nazim Sadykhov happily accepts full credit for UFC Fight Night 251 doctor stoppage: 'I caused damage'
LAS VEGAS – Yes, a doctor stopped Nazim Sadykhov's fight vs. Ismael Bonfim at UFC Fight Night 251 on Saturday. Why? Because of damage. And who caused damage? 'I don't want to hear that there was a language barrier,' Sadykhov told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference at the UFC Apex. 'I don't want to hear that. I caused damage. I kicked him hard.' By the scoring criteria of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, damage is the goal. Sadykhov (10-1-1 MMA, 3-0-1 UFC) caused that when he drilled Bonfim (20-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) with a slick question mark kick in Round 1. It wasn't damage caused by a poke or another sort of foul. It wasn't even a cut that stopped the fight. It was straight-up damage from a strike – a strike that Sadykhov revealed he specifically had put emphasis on during fight camp. 'Those head kicks we were setting those up all camp,' Sadykhov said. 'I don't know if they caught it backstage in the cameras, but we were setting that head kick up in the back. We were working that head kick in the back. That head kick was coming all night, more from me in the boxing department, in the wrestling department. It was coming all night. 'I don't know what the language barrier or what it was, but I looked at that man before the start of Round 2 and he did not look like he wanted to be there.' Sadykhov, 30, has found consistency in results despite a lack of consistency in frequency of competition. Saturday's bout was his first since November 2023. But over the past year, Sadykhov has learned a lot as he's developed a regiment of a time-split between Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas and his original home gym of Longo and Weidman MMA (LAW MMA) on Long Island in New York. Sadykhov thinks the recipe will continue to be a working one. 'I got a place out in Vegas. I'm collabing now with Ray Longo and John Wood. It's a killer camp I have now. I'm ready for more. I definitely want to get back in there – hopefully April, if something opens up, (I can fight again). I only have a sore calf, sore ankle. I'll be back in the gym relatively soon getting ready for the next one.'
USA Today
15-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov preview, odds, start time for UFC Fight Night 251
Ismael Bonfim and Nazim Sadykhov meet on the main card of UFC Fight Night 251. The lightweight bout takes place Saturday, Feb. 15, at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick preview of the matchup. Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov UFC Fight Night 251 preview Bonfim (20-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is making his fourth UFC appearance since appearing on Dana White's Contender Series in September 2022. He started off with two victories but then dropped a November 2023 fight to Benoit Saint-Denis by first-round submission. Bonfim most recently defeated Vinc Pichel by unanimous decision last May. Sadykhov (9-1-1 MMA, 2-0-1 UFC) is also a Contender Series alum from August 2022. Sadykhov hasn't lost in three UFC appearance, although he most recently fought to a majority draw against Viacheslav Borshchev in November 2023. Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov UFC Fight Night 251 odds The oddsmakers favor Bonfim at -220, with Sadykhov listed at +176 via FanDuel. Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov UFC Fight Night 251 walkout time, how to watch Bonfim and Sadykhov are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 7:40 p.m. ET. The fight will stream on ESPN+. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 251.
