Maxim Grishin’s old-school Russian fight philosophy had him unworried about Knight’s weight miss
HOUSTON – Maxim Grishin beat William Knight with a unanimous decision Saturday to open the preliminary card at UFC 271 in Houston.
Take a look inside the fight with Grishin, who got back in the win column after a loss to Dustin Jacoby nearly a year ago.
Maxim Grishin vs. William Knight
Feb 12, 2022; Houston, Texas, UNITED STATES; Maxim Grishin (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against William Knight (red gloves) during UFC 271 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Result: Maxim Grishin def. William Knight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Grishin (32-9-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC), Knight (11-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC)
Key stat: Grishin landed more than 70 percent of his strikes and outstruck Knight 83-30.
Grishin on the fight's key moment
Feb 12, 2022; Houston, Texas, UNITED STATES; William Knight (red gloves) fights Maxim Grishin (blue gloves) during UFC 271 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
“We analyzed his style and way to fight, and we were pretty sure (the outside leg kicks) would work against him.”
Grishin on Knight's UFC record 12-pound weight miss
Feb 12, 2022; Houston, Texas, UNITED STATES; William Knight (red gloves) fights Maxim Grishin (blue gloves) during UFC 271 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
“(I come from) the old Russian fighting school – sometimes I don’t care because I respect so much (old) UFC fighters who don’t care about the weight. I accept (his weight miss). I didn’t feel any weight difference between me and him. He has a lot of power.”
Grishin on what he wants next
“I hope it will be in Moscow in Russia, which is my homeland.”
To hear more from Grishin, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
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