Latest news with #Orolbai
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ABC 8 takeaways: Is Khalil Rountree Jr. a threat to Magomed Ankalaev?
What mattered most at UFC on ABC 8 on Saturday at Crystal Palace Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan? Here are a few post-fight musings … 4. Those dreadful prelims The UFC's introduction to Baku was a rough one. The first six fights on the undercard were not to be remembered, with the closest thing to a finish being Ismail Naurdiev's illegal knee on JunYong Park that somehow didn't get him disqualified. The high points were few and far between, and almost nonexistent. The best fight was probably the flyweight bout in which Tagir Ulanbekov defeated Azat Maksum, and even that left a bit to be desired. It's not a set of prelims that will be spotlighted as the way for UFC to introduce itself to a new market. Unfortunately it wasn't redeemed much by the main card, either, with four of six fights also going to a decision, making for the 11th-longest card in UFC history in total fight time. 3. Myktybek Orolbai's impressive start Myktybek Orolbai name might be hard to spell and pronounce, but it is one to remember going forward in the lightweight division after he spoiled the octagon debut of 2019 RIZIN Grand Prix champion Tofiq Musayev courtesy of a nasty choke. Although he's just four fights into his promotional tenure, Orolbai (14-2-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is building credibility as a much-watch name at 155 pounds. His fights are either wars or finishes, and that's exactly the mold as the most lovable names in divisional history. He might present an older physical image, but Orolbai is still just 27 and evolving training out of a great gym at American Top Team. For now, it feels like he is one who could be a great action fighter for years to come, and perhaps eventually more. 2. Rafael Fiziev bounces back Rafael Fiziev sent a reminder that he is still a viable top-level lightweight when he outworked surging contender Ignacio Bahamondes for a unanimous decision. After losing three consecutive fights against Justin Gaethje (twice) and Mateusz Gamrot, the situation on paper seemed dire for Fiziev (13-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) coming in. If he had lost to Bahamondes, it would've felt like a definitive ceiling for him. Instead, he came through as an underdog and put himself back into a prominent position. Although he downplayed it, the pressure on Fiziev between the losing skid and fighting in his native Azerbaijan was immense. Instead of folding to it, he came through with a performance that said a lot about his fighting character. 1. Khalil Rountree Jr. is a valid contender After a title shot against then-champion Alex Pereira in October that was largely the product of circumstance, many questioned whether Khalil Rountree Jr. truly belongs at the top of the light heavyweight division or if his valiant performance in defeat against "Poatan" was a one-off. Rountree (14-6 MMA, 10-6 UFC) silenced those with a negative perspective when he broke down and defeated former champion Jamahal Hill by unanimous decision for what not becomes the biggest victory of his career. If someone, as Hill did, chooses to largely stand in front of Rountree for the majority of a fight, then they are likely to get battered with his dangerous array of strikes. The upper tier of the 205-pound division has plenty of names who fancy themselves strikers, so this a good spot for Rountree to be. The biggest question, however, is whether he can find the consistency to get back to the top. The fights aren't going to get much easier from here, and if Magomed Ankalaev continues to hold the belt, that is not a very style-friendly matchup for him. Rountree is in a promising spot and after a long career in the octagon seems to be experiencing his high point. Whether it comes together in the form of a title shot or title win remain to be seen, but after so many years of being up and down, he's already done more than most expected of him.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Myktybek Orolbai plays spoiler, cranks Tofiq Musayev into first-round tap at UFC Baku
Myktybek Orolbai was in position to play spoiler for the UFC debut of Tofiq Musayev in front of his home fans, and he did it in a big way. Orolbai (14-2-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) submitted Musayev (22-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) with a picture-perfect kimura with 25 seconds left in the first round of their lightweight fight on the main card at UFC on ABC 8. Musayev came out to a big ovation from the fans at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the UFC set up shop for the first time, but Orolbai left them disappointed. In the buildup to the fight, Orolbai said he was planning a surprise for Musayev, and that may have come in the form of three takedowns in the opening minutes of the fight. Ultimately, that was his perfect path to the win. Check out the tail end of his finish below. Orolbai got back in the win column after a Fight of the Night loss to Mateusz Rebecki this past October, which snapped an eight-fight streak. Musayev, a former Bellator and Rizin standout, dropped his promotional debut and had a two-fight streak snapped. Up-to-the-minute UFC Baku results:
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Myktybek Orolbai vs. Tofiq Musayev prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ABC 8
Myktybek Orolbai and Tofiq Musayev meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ABC 8 at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 5-1 UFC main cards, 2025: 57-44-1 Myktybek Orolbai vs. Tofiq Musayev UFC Baku preview Orolbai (13-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will look to rebound from a streak-ending split decision loss to Mateusz Rebecki at UFC 308. Although he walked away with a loss, the Fight of the Night bonus helped ease the sting. Prior to the close setback, the Kyrgyzstan-born lightweight won eight straight, including his first pair of UFC bouts against Uros Medic and Elves Brenner. Orolbai has finished his opponent in 11 of his 13 wins. ... Musayev (22-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his UFC debut. The Rizin and Bellator veteran comes in on a two-fight winning streak with stoppage of Akira Okada and Koji Takeda. A proven finisher in the lightweight division, 20 of Musayev's career wins 22 have come by stoppage. Myktybek Orolbai vs. Tofiq Musayev UFC Baku expert pick, prediction Despite being shifted to a catchweight bout at the eleventh hour, Myktybek Orolbai vs. Tofiq Musaev is one of the fights I'm looking forward to most on this card. Orolbai, who looks like he belongs in the background of a Dave Rickels walkout, is a large and durable lightweight who can fight in all phases of the game. Musaev isn't too far behind in the power or size department, but I believe the Sanda specialist could be in for a rough night if he's not able to seriously hurt Orolbai early. Even though Orolbai will give Musaev ample opportunities to hit him on the feet, the native of Kyrgyzstan's insane durability and drive are difficult to deny. Add in the fact that Orolbai has more directions to take this fight (as well as more ways to win it), and I can't help but side with the favorite to roll in this spot. Given the lack of depth in Musaev's ground game, I'll go ahead and pick Orolbai to win by submission in Round 2. Myktybek Orolbai vs. Tofiq Musayev UFC Baku odds The oddsmakers and the public favor the fighter from Kyrgyzstan, listing Orolbai -168 and Musaev +136 via FanDuel. Myktybek Orolbai vs. Tofiq Musayev UFC Baku start time, how to watch Orolbai and Musayev are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 4:10 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ABC 8's Myktybek Orolbai promises to deliver 'big surprise'
UFC on ABC 8's Myktybek Orolbai promises to deliver 'big surprise' Myktybek Orolbai aims to rebound in a big way at UFC Baku. Myktybek Orolbai has something in store for the fans this Saturday. Orolbai (13-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who welcomes Tofiq Musayev to the UFC, says he has a big surprise for the people watching UFC on ABC 8 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. Orolbai knows he has a tough outing with Musayev (22-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC), but that won't stop him from delivering in the octagon. "Last fight was a tough fight," Orolbai said through an interpreter, speaking to reporters at Wednesday's UFC on ABC 8 media day. "Kyrgyz people are warriors. We're Kyrgyz warriors. God gave me this fight, but I have a big surprise for you this Saturday." Orolbai is coming off one of the wildest fights of 2024. He went to war and had his eye swollen shut in a war against Mateusz Rebecki last October. Orolbai lost the fight by split decision. Orolbai is determined to get back to his winning ways, and feels recovered and ready to take on Musayev. "Tofiq is 35 years old, I'm 27 years old," Orolbai said. "I'm in a great shape right now, so I think everything is on my side here, but I'm ready for Saturday, and I'm going to show you on Saturday." Orolbai's ambitions go beyond getting a win on Saturday. He wants that to be the start of a title campaign at 155 pounds. "That was my whole dream," Orolbai said. "When I was 18 years old, my dream was to be in the UFC, and now we made it. God chose me to be the first fighter from Kyrgyzstan, and that carries a lot of weight on me, and that's why I also want to be the first to bring the title to Kyrgyzstan."
