Before UFC Fight Night: Fortaleza’s main event between Raphael Assuncao and Marlon Moraes, a multitude of undercard fights had major implications. Here’s how it all went down.
Said Nurmagomedov defeats Ricardo Ramos by first-round TKO
Nurmagomedov did not fight the way one might expect of someone with that surname, as he never even looked for a takedown, instead backing up Ramos with a standing attack and finishing him in the first round with a spinning kick to the body.
The bantamweight fight did go on for a few more seconds, as Ramos (12-2), immobilized on the mat, absorbed a swarm of punches before the referee stopped the fight at 2:28 of the round.
It was the seventh win in a row for Nurmagomedov (13-1), the 26-year-old cousin of lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Rogerio Bontorin defeats Magomed Bibulatov by split decision
Bontorin made quite a splash in his UFC debut, countering Bibulatov’s relentless wrestling with submission threats to earn two of the three 29-28 scores. It was high-level grappling from the start, as Bontorin (15-1) was taken down early but reversed position and nearly sunk in a rear-naked choke.
For Bibulatov, it was his second straight loss after starting his career 14-0. He had not fought in 16 months while recovering from a back injury, and he missed weight on Friday, prompting the fight to be switched to a 127-pound catchweight contest.
Still to come…
• Raphael Assuncao vs. Marlon Moraes • Jose Aldo vs. Renato Moicano • Demian Maia vs. Lyman Good • Charles Oliveira vs. David Teymur • Johnny Walker vs. Justin Ledet • Livinha Souza vs. Sarah Frota • Markus Perez vs. Anthony Hernandez • Mara Romero Borella vs. Taila Santos • Thiago Alves vs. Max Griffin • Junior Albini vs. Jair Rozenstruik • Geraldo de Freitas Jr. vs. Felipe Colares