Nicolas Dalby was confident he’d get split nod at UFC 283, wants on London card next
RIO DE JANEIRO – Nicolas Dalby beat Warlley Alves with a split decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.
Take a look inside the fight with Dalby, who has back-to-back wins and seven victories in his past eight fights.
Warlley Alves vs. Nicolas Dalby
Jan 21, 2023; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Nicolas Dalby (blue gloves) reacts after the fight against Warlley Alves (red gloves) during UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Result: Nicolas Dalby def. Warlley Alves via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Updated records: Dalby (21-4-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) def. Warlley Alves (14-6 MMA, 8-6 UFC)
Key stat: Dalby outstruck Alves 167-75, but had to settle for a split decision.
Dalby on the fight's key moment
Jan 21, 2023; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Warlley Alves (red gloves) fights Nicolas Dalby (blue gloves) during UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports
“I wasn’t that hurt when he hit me. I could feel that it looked incredible from the outside. The best way I can describe it: Some people hit like a sledgehammer and some people are more like a whip. Warlley hits like a sledgehammer, so I definitely felt it. But it wasn’t taking away my consciousness. … He hit me, but I wasn’t affected by it.”
Dalby on going to 4-0 against Brazilians
Jan 21, 2023; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Warlley Alves (red gloves) fights Nicolas Dalby (blue gloves) during UFC 283 at Jeunesse Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports
“I’m usually pretty self-critical. I had a good feeling. I felt I had the most control time against the cage. I knew it would be somewhat tight, but I honestly felt like it was to my side. I’m not saying it was totally (for me). Warlley, he’s such a beast.”
“It’s not fun for the crowd (if I beat a Brazilian in Brazil), and I want to please the crowd. But it’s good for me. I think the popular thing would be to say, ‘Yeah, I love winning against Brazilians in Brazil. But no – I like Brazil as a country, so I’d rather not fight against a (Brazilian). But the atmosphere was amazing, so I enjoyed that.”
Dalby on what he wants next
“It could be amazing if the UFC came back to Copenhagen some time soon. I don’t know if that’s going to happen or not. It’s fun to travel the world for fighting. It’s what I dreamed of when I started karate when I was 15 years old – to make a living traveling the world fighting. How incredible is that?
“It could be fun to go back in London (in a couple months). I just got some stitches, but once they’re out I think I could be good to go, maybe. I have some bruises. Don’t get me wrong – it was a war. But if it heals fast, maybe.”
To hear more from Dalby, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 283.
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