That might suggest they see a little star power in bantamweight Talbott, who certainly doesn’t lack in the personality department. Of course, it was what he could show in the cage that mattered.

He wound up showing plenty. Right away Aguirre shot in on the legs and got Talbott down pretty easily. Aguirre interlaced the legs and secured wrist control to get a better position on the mat. Talbott was working with his back against the cage but Aguirre was all over him. Aguirre was almost on the back but Talbott got back to his feet. With Aguirre still halfway on his back. Finally Aguirre ended up jumping on the back fully and got Talbott down. Tallbott was in a terrible position with Aguirre tight on his back. Back to his feet went Talbott but the round ended with Aguirre on his back.

Talbott was coming out first in round two with a right hand and a heavy kick to the body. Aguirre shot in for a takedown but was too far out and Talboot defended. Talbott was getting in his grove. Aguirre ended up pulling guard and letting Talbott on top. Talbott did good work there but wound up letting Aguirre back up. Aguirre timed a takedown entry very well and ended up getting the takedown. Like in round one, Talbott got back up but with Aguirre on his back. Aguirre was too high though and Talbott got top position. Aguirre was moving well off his back but Talbott did some damage right before the bell.

In the final round it was likely tied at one round a piece. Talbott was pressuring Aguirre with punches forcing Aguirre to shoot. Talbott defended and turned towards Aguirre getting into full mount. He unloaded with ground and pound and Aguirre gave up his back. It was the striker in Talbott that locked up the RNC and the grappler Aguirre tapped.

Official Result: Payton Talbott def. Nick Aguirre by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 0:58

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Orolbai was competent on the mat, but whether he could get Medic there was a question.

The fight opened up with some body kicks from Medic. He quickly was using his range very well with those kicks. Medic stuck Orolbai with a jab and a knee as Orolbai went in for a takedown. Orolbai took a few hard shots to get inside but ended up getting the takedown.

Medic got back up, but Orolbai hit a mat return twice. Orolbai was trying to inch his way to the back but the fence was in the way. Medic got to his feet again but Orolbai was a dog on a bone getting it back down. Medic wouldn’t be flustered as he kept getting back up. Back down went Medic and that time he stayed there until the bell rang.

In round two it seemed like Medic was too nervous to over-commit to anything. Orolbai quickly cut the cage off and got an easy takedown. Orolbai was using wrist control and keeping Medic grounded. He used it to make Medic work and Orolbai ended up taking the back. Quickly, Mecdic scrambled and got to his feet. But while Medic could get back to his feet, he couldn’t get the separation. Another easy takedown from Orolbai and he was halfway on the back. Orolbai had in a choke that wasn’t under the chin. With that said, the pressure was so tight on the chin that Medic had to tap.

Official Result: Myktybek Orolbai def. Uros Medic by Submission (neck crank), Round 2, 4:12

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An undefeated talent out of Brazil, Estevam’s 11-0 record no doubt made him an attractive pick-up for the promotion — but he did himself no favors by missing weight for his first official UFC bout.

Estevam came right out of the gate with a lot of kicks and dove for the legs but was too far away. On his second shot, Estevam got in on the leg and went to the bodylock. Johnson was digging underhooks but Estevam hit a beautiful hip throw. Johnson worked back to his feet and scraped Estevam off his back. They were still working in the clinch when Estevam hit another takedown — this time by an outside trip. Off the takedown Estevam beautifully took the back and into the full mount. Johnson defended well getting back to half-guard but gave up his back again to close the round.

To start round two Estevam dove right into a single leg. He didn’t get it but got Johnson against the fence and got the trip takedown. Johnson got to his feet but with Estevam on his back. Johnson defended well but fell to the mat where Estevam was trying to sink in the RNC. Johnson had Estevam on his back for a while but Johnson eventually got out and to his feet. Right away, Estevam wasn’t playing around on the feet as he went for another takedown. Johnson defended and peppered Estevam on the outside with straight punches. He ended the round well but lost a lot of time on the mat.

Johnson was the aggressor to start the final round going after Estevam. He did get carried away and Estevam shot in on the legs. Johnson defended as Estevam was visibly tired. Estevam kept going for takedowns just being relentless on the shots. Estevam has his hands locked but is maybe too tired to get Johnson down. Johnson looks at the ref and the fight gets separated. Johnson was marching forward going up high and to the body but was throwing one punch at a time. More missed takedowns from Estevam as he was shooting desperately. Johnson wasn’t landing anything hard but was making Estevam uncomfortable with the pressure. Johnson ran out of time that most likely will be a loss for him.

Official Result: Rafael Estevam def. Charles Johnson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Myktybek Orolbai
Standing at five-foot-ten
Fighting at 170 lbs (welterweight)
25-years-old
Fighting out of Osh, Kyrgyzstan
Training out of Team Alpha Male
A pro record of 11-1
6 KO/TKOs, 4 Submissions

How Orolbai will fare in the UFC:

Orolbai started off fighting in Kyrgyzstan, where he’s originally from, but he has since moved to the US and trains out of Team Alpha Male. Orolbai’s last three fights have been in the LFA cage and he’s gone 3-0. What’s helped his case is he’s coming off a highlight-reel knockout. It’s a good thing he landed that because his prior tape isn’t all too exciting.

I like the signing of Orolbai especially on short notice. Some may say he’s some sort of striker but he’s a serious wrestler. Orolbai is a strong wrestler who could just muscle guys around. I don’t rate his grappling all too high but he’s mauling with ground and pound and is heavy on top. Once he gets on the inside with his hands locked he’s a problem to get away from. It seems like he can fight at a hard wrestling pace for three rounds.

Striking, he’s limited. Orolbai throws a one-two and has a dangerous overhand. He’s not out-striking anyone from a technical standpoint. He will overwhelm guys with his pressure and his power. He can put the lights out with one punch. I’ll say everyone he’s beaten is low-level. The only truly good fighter Orolbai has fought, he lost to. Orolbai is good but there is no proof he’s UFC-level. I can see him as mid-tier right in the division. I don’t think his striking and other fundamentals are good enough to reach a top 15 or anything.

How he matches up with Medic:

I like Medic a lot more than I thought I would when he came to the UFC. Orolbai has the potential to catch Medic but he has to wrestle this fight. Medic isn’t bad on the mat but it’s a grey area as he’s not as confident.

On the feet though Medic is nasty. Orolbai is basic at striking whereas Medic is throwing a ton of output giving a lot of different looks. Medic throws in straights, volume, power, goes to the body, and mixes in a lot of kicks. He should be too much to handle for Orolbai. Orolbai could bring in a heavy wrestling pace but I can’t be sure he does that nor do I believe he can close the distance effectively. I like Medic by TKO.

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Contender Series alum Borjas was riding a four-fight win streak, while Van was entering off a win in his own promotional debut.

The fight started with a feeling out process between both fighters. Van was working the jab early going up high and to the body. Borjas was throwing leg kicks, but Van was mixing up his attack more. Van started to land kicks to the lead leg that were impactful. Borjas threw a left hand off a switch kick and then a right hand. A wheel kick was thrown but a right from Borjas dropped Van. Two snipping jabs landed from Borjas snapping the head back of Van. A strong second half of the round for Borjas.

In round two Van was pressing but Borjas was still throwing with serious heat. Borjas landed a nice one-two but Van was still going forward. Van did land a right hand that got the attention of Borjas. Joshua Van was very aggressive throwing a lot of volume mixing up his combinations going to the body. The bodywork seemed to really take a toll on Borjas. Van kept ripping the body and going up top and Borjas was in retreat. Van never let up on the gas in round two and came forward the entire round.

Going into the final round, it was likely 1-1. Van was pumping out the jab to start the round. Constant pressure came from Van, who was throwing volume but ended up getting a takedown. It wasn’t long as Borjas scrambled back up to his feet. More forward pressure from Van as he was crowding Borjas with a barrage of output. Van was consistently digging to the body throughout the final round. Borjas tried a takedown of his own but it wasn’t close. Soon after he ate a nice body-head combo.

Van landed a right hand over the top that landed but Borjas had shown a lot of toughness. Out of nowhere, Borjas did stun Van with a right hand. He then landed a follow-up knee but it allowed Van to take the back and get the takedown. Van attempted a scarfhold armlock but Borjas escaped and took the back. Van quickly shook him off and ended the fight on top. Come the scorecards, it was Van claiming the unanimous decision win.

Official Result: Josh Van def. Kevin Borjas by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Kruschewsky hadn’t lost a fight since 2019, while Brener was 2-0 inside the octagon and looking for his third victory under the UFC banner.

By the end of the night, one fighter’s win streak had been extended in extremely violent fashion.

Kaynan Kruschewsky was coming forward to start the fight but ended up walking into a right hook from Brener. Kruschewsky was low volume to start the fight and Elves Brener was mixing it up and staying busy. Brener landed a heavy left hand off a missed right hand which Kruschewsky took well.

Throughout the round Brener was switching stances fluidly and having a lot of success with his kicks. Brener stepped in with an overhand right and missed with just over a minute left in the frame, but came through with the left hand clipping Kruschewsky putting him out cold face first on the canvas. Another nasty, violent finish for lightweight Elves Brener (in a catchweight affair as Kruschewsky stepped up on short notice).

Official Result: Elves Brener def. Kaynan Kruschewsky via knockout (left hand), Round 1, 4:01

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A head kick finish had paved the way for Fernandes to land in the UFC, but he was getting a tough first assignment in “Bonecrusher” Diakiese.

Brazil’s Fernandes started off the fight with a few body kicks before going up top. He got Diakiese against the cage but Diakiese used it to throw Fernandes to the mat. He did a really nice job using leverage to get that takedown. Fernandes quickly used an omoplata to scramble back to his feet. Diakiese telegraphed a spinning kick and Fernandes caught is and got the fight down again. Diakiese quickly scrambled and got the top position. For a little over a minute left in the round Diakies hung around in the guard of Fernandes.

In round two Fernandes went to work with his kicks. It was the low calf kicks Fernandes was landing that forced Diakiese to shoot a takedown. Fernandes defended and shook Diakiese off. Diakiese landed a heavy overhand left which was the biggest shot landed so far and Fernandes took it no problem. The leg kicks of Fernandes were adding up as it was visibly giving Diakiese issues. Diakiese again tried for the takedown and although Fernandes made it tough he got the fight down. Just like in round one, Diakiese spent the last minute or so in the guard of Fernandes.

In the final round, what sort of scores the judges had was very much a question. Fernandes was at it with the lead leg kick but Diakiese landed a left hand that put Fernandes on his hands. Diakiese followed up with a takedown but couldn’t get it. A nice right hand landed from Diakiese and then another takedown attempt. The bodylock was tight and Fernandes found himself on his back again. Although Diakiese was doing little damage he was dominating posing in the guard. Fernandes was able to get back to his feet but right at the bell. Come the scorecards, it was split — with Marc Diakiese doing enough to get the victory on two cards.

Official Result: Marc Diakiese def. Kauê Fernandes by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

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The UFC makes its second trip to Brazil in 2023 with UFC Sao Paulo arriving on Saturday. Among a handful of debuting fighters, Kauê Fernandes steps into the octagon for the first time against the formidable Marc Diakiese. He gets to do so at home in front of a crowd in an era where many fellow newcomers get an empty Apex.

Kauê Fernandes
Standing at five-foot-nine
Fighting at 155 lbs (lightweight)
28-years-old
Fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Training out of Nova Uniao
A pro record of 8-1
4 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions

How Fernandes will fare in the UFC:

Brazil is loaded with talent and as much as I’d like to see more signed for this card Fernandes is a good signing. After a disappointing loss to Luann Sardinha, Fernandes has won his last two. He’s also coming off a highlight-reel head kick knockout that helped his case of getting signed.

Fernandes is an awkward fighter but is super dangerous. On the feet, Fernandes throws wide with his hands to his waist so he’s hard to read. He’s so long he would benefit from throwing more straight punches. Fernandes is sneaky with head kicks that he throws over the shoulder and his bodywork is an asset he often likes to go to. Fernandes is even better on the mat even if he’s on his back. Most of the time it is off his back because his wrestling isn’t all that good. Fernandes has fluid hips and is always working to find submissions or create scrambles.

His fight with Luann Sardinha exposed a lot of Fernandes’ holes. He had a good round one but fell apart after five minutes. The main reason was because of his cardio. It was so poor Fernandes was breathing heavily out of his mouth. His striking defense is a major concern. His hands are low, he throws too wide, and his chin is up in the air. A jab would give him a lot of problems and he’s just asking to get knocked out in an exchange with how his hand placement is and where his chin is. Also, his takedown defense isn’t too good and even though he’s good off his back that’s somewhere you don’t want to fight off of if you can avoid it.

Overall, I think Kauê Fernandes has potential. He has to tighten up his technique. More importantly, his cardio has to be better. His technique looks even worse when he’s as gassed as he was before. Fernandes is a fun fighter but I see him struggling to get wins in the UFC. He could improve but he has to prove that he can adapt in future fights.

How he matches up with Diakiese:

Not sure why Fernandes is getting an established guy like Diakiese in his UFC debut but it would be a big win. Diakiese is a talented fighter but he’s just inconsistent. His fight IQ has continued to be a big problem for him in his career.

Diakiese is an explosive guy on the feet but lately, it’s been his wrestling he’s been using more than anything. I’m sure Diakiese can take Fernandes down but he’s got to be careful of getting caught in a submission. On the feet, Diakiese beats him with speed, explosiveness, and athleticism. Fernandes is fully capable of catching Diakiese anywhere the fight goes. With that said I think it’s a bad match-up for him and Diakiese wins a decision.

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With Silva having shared the cage with the likes of Israel Adesanya, this was no easy out for Magomedov, though he still entered a heavy favorite.

The fight started with a heavy inside leg kick from Magomedov and a return from Silva. Magomedov was heavy early on with the kicks to the lead leg but Silva did land a nice combo getting the attention of Magomedov. Magomedov then caught Silva with a head kick that stunned Silva! A flying knee barely missed and Silva was able to survive. Silva’s lead leg was already beaten up with all the kicks adding up. Silva was doing a fine job of blitzing in with his hands. He was landing but nothing significant as the movement of Magomedov made him elusive. Another heavy leg kick forced Silva to switch stances. They both had great success at the end of the round with the kicks from Magomedov but some heavy hands landed from Silva.

In round two right away Magomedov was back attacking the leg kick. He was also going to the body well and just mixing up his kicks. More kicks to the body were also adding up from Magomedov. Magomedov landed a beautiful left head kick to a right body kick. As Silva was coming in he was going into a series of knees. Silva was really getting beat up on the outside getting picked apart. Silva did a great job of timing a kick and got the takedown. It was Magomedov landing from the bottom with elbows slicing up Silva. Silva was landing on top but Magomedov was far more busy even off his back and the round ends there.

In the final round a nasty leg kick from Magomedov landed. Another leg kick was landed but Silva again timed it and got a takedown. Silva did spend a lot of time on top but Magomedov eventually got back up. Magomedov then hurt Silva with an elbow in the clinch. The guard of Magomedov was let down and Silva got another takedown. Although Magomedov was on his back the majority of the round he was still very active. At the end of the fight, Magomedov got back up and in the closing seconds landed some knees.

No surprises when the results were read: Sharabutdin Magomedov won all three rounds on all three scorecards.

Official Results: Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Bruno Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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UAE Warriors alum Mohammad Yahya steps into the octagon for the first time at UFC 294 this weekend, where he’s set to take on Trevor Peek. The card is topped by the rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and lightweight champ Islam Makhachev, while Yahya vs. Peek arrives on the prelims.

Mohammad Yahya
Standing at five-foot-nine
Fighting at 155 lbs (lightweight)
29-years-old
Fighting out of United Arab Emirates
Training out of JRCS
A pro record of 12-3
7 KO/TKOs, 2 Submissions

How Yahya will fare in the UFC:

I don’t understand this signing from a talent skill standpoint but I understand it for a few reasons. He is a hometown fighter and is a UAE champion. I don’t like the signing because of all the UAE Warrior’s fighters, Yahya would not come to mind to sign. He’s on a good winning streak but he has not got one good, high-level win. Even his losses are to lower-level guys.

Yahya is just a basic fighter. Nothing he does impresses me. On the feet, I’d say his hands are fine but he has a lot of flaws. Yahya holds his hands low, curls up when taking damage, and he brings his hands back to his face too slow. His striking defense is too much of a liability and his chin is concerning.

At times he will take the fight down and will tend to use the wrestling later the fights goes. I don’t rate either his wrestling and jiu-jitsu too high. He may get takedowns in the UFC but I don’t see him outclassing anywhere on the mat with his ground game. Yahya is nothing special and you can find multiple fighters at his level fighting regionally all over the world. I see him struggling to get a win in the UFC.

How he matches up with Peek:

It’s weird to say but I feel really good about Peek in this fight. Peek has some of the worst techniques you will see. What he does have is constant pressure, heavy hands, a rock-solid chin, and a valuable gas tank.

Yahya, I don’t see having any advantage in this fight. On the feet, Peek hits harder and throws more volume. That mixed in with the striking defense and chin of Yahya is a bad matchup for him. Also as long as the fight goes the pace I believe it will, it will eventually break Yahya. I don’t think we will see much grappling in this fight. I like Peek in this fight by TKO and I feel weirdly confident about it.

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