UFC London on July 22 at The O2 Arena rested on fans’ expectations as the UFC’s caravan moved to London. The stacked fight card, brimming with new-and-upcoming fighters, offered them a path to glory and a push to their careers. While the fans waited for the main card, a fight on the prelims card involving the middleweights attracted the eyeballs.
Makhmud Muradov squared off against UFC veteran Bryan Barberena. Both fighters come into the fight on the heels of a two-loss streak and targeted a return to the winner’s column. However, it appeared ‘Mach’ had the upper hand, as he had the backing of Floyd Mayweather. Notably, he is the only MMA fighter represented by ‘The Money Team’, Mayweather’s management company. On the other hand, ‘Bam Bam’ had an uphill task as he tried to adjust to the new 185 lbs division with his recent move up.
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Notably, the Uzbekistani fighter swept the judges’ scorecard and won the fight via unanimous decision.
What happened in the fight at the UFC London?
Barberena started the fight as he assumed the aggressor’s role but found himself receiving a well-attempted takedown. Muradov clinched and worked his way around Barberena, near the cage. While he consumed a lot of energy, Barberena constantly fought his way back and maintained his calm. The two sized each other in the middle of the octagon and targeted an opening. But also didn’t fear landing devastating blows.
Muradov landed a beautiful right and set him up for a takedown. Barberena escaped the clinch by giving up his back. Following this, in the second round, Barberena appeared a bit messy as Muradov landed some jabs and caught him with a hook to the back of his head.
That sent Barberena flying, and Muradov followed up with some combinations. However, the 18-10 record holder, unfazed, engaged in a brawl and threw punches. Muradov never allowed Barberena to gain momentum as he resorted to grappling. With only 30 seconds left, the two clashed their heads, and the referee had to stop the fight for a brief interval. Muradov ended round 2 with a high takedown and also bagged the round.
In the final round, Barberena’s corner advised him to be the man. But Muradov was quicker throughout the fight and looked for openings. And thus threatened to knock out Barberena on multiple occasions.
The UFC veteran took the shoots on his chin. But again, both fighters got involved in a head clash and this time warranted a doctor’s checkup. Later on, Muradov was declared the winner by a unanimous decision, as Barberena suffered a third consecutive defeat.
How did the fans react to the exciting fight?
These boys put on a scrap for us, this has been a good card so far and we’re barely in it 💥
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) July 22, 2023
Tremendous performance from @MakhmudMuradov he gets the win via unanimous decision 💪
[ #UFCLondon | Live on @ESPNPlus 📺 ] pic.twitter.com/dDVrFL9ONZ— UFC (@ufc) July 22, 2023
Barberena has no reach or size for MW. Muradov just dominating.
— Hannah (@SoIGuess_) July 22, 2023
bryan has no business being at MW
— tyler (@tyyIer) July 22, 2023
Whoever keeps booking Barberena against guys that are scared to bang needs to be fired
— LeBronto (@Le3ronto) July 22, 2023
Marc Goddard almost got Bams killed
— SVS (@ShirtvSkin) July 22, 2023
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Bryan really gonna get cut 😿
— Notorious Wallace (@BlockboyAndy) July 22, 2023
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What do you this exciting fight at the UFC London? Let us know in the comments below.
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