Said Nurmagomedov wants another active year in 2023 – and says he’ll start talking more
LAS VEGAS – Said Nurmagomedov beat Saidyokub Kakhramonov with a second-round submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 216 in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Nurmagomedov, who rallied from a rough first round to pull off a guillotine choke for the win.
Saidyokub Kakhramonov vs. Said Nurmagomedov
Result: Said Nurmagomedov def. Saidyokub Kakhramonov via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 3:50
Updated records: Nurmagomedov (17-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC), Kakhramonov (10-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC)
Key stat: Kakhramonov landed five takedowns, but the final one led to Nurmagomedov’s submission win.
Nurmagomedov on the fight's key moment
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Said Nurmagomedov of Russia works for a submission against Saidyokub Kakhramonov of Uzbekistan in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“To be honest, I’m not very happy with the performance. I mean, it wasn’t going my way in the first round at all. I got really, really tired. I threw that guillotine in and it wasn’t working – nothing was going my way. By the second round, I was able to find my footing and dictate the pace.”
Nurmagomedov on staying active
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Saidyokub Kakhramonov of Uzbekistan shoots for a takedown against Said Nurmagomedov of Russia in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“This year was great for me. I had three fights. I think this year was wonderful. Next year, I’d love to do the same – have three or four fights. I’d love to come back in early March, if possible. That’s the goal.”
Nurmagomedov on what he wants next
“I’d love to fight somebody in the top 10, but in this division, anyone in the top 15 is a great fighter. I understand I have to talk and be a little more active as a personality, so in 2023 we’ll start working on that.”
To hear more from Nurmagomedov, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 263.
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