UFC Fight Night 163 Results: Zabit defeats Kattar to continue hype train

UFC Fight Night 163 took place in the CSKA Arena, Moscow, Russia, with each fight on the main card hosting at least one Russian MMA fighter.

The card featured: two light heavyweight bouts in the form of Shamil Gamzatov against Klidson Abreu and Khadis Ibragimov versus Ed Herman, two welterweight showdowns consisting of Ramazan Emeev against Anthony Rocco Martin and Zelim Imadev vs Danny Roberts, a heavyweight battle between Alexander Volkov and late replacement Greg Hardy, plus main event featuring Zabit Magomedsharipov take on Calvin Kattar in the featherweight division.

Zabit Magomedsharipov overcame Calvin Kattar to win unanimous decision

In the main event, Zabit “Zabeast” Magomedsharipov took on Calvin Kattar in his home nation Russia and increased his winning streak to 14 after the bout went the distance.

The first round featured both fighters going for the win, but Zabit’s kung fu spinning kicks to the body of Kattar seemed to separate the pair from one another.

“Zabeast” came into his element into the second round and displayed his huge arsenal of striking techniques-the bigger fighter had the opportunities to bring the fight to the ground, but why would he when he was being so successful?

Well, in the third, Kattar pushed the pace and stepped up a gear.

He had the Russian on the backfoot and gave it his all in the final round-Kattar, even, bravely attempted a flying knee, but it wasn’t enough to get the victory as the damage had already been done by Zabit in the previous two rounds.

After the unanimous decision was announced 29,28 by all three judges in favour of Zabit, he declared his desire to fight for the featherweight belt in his next duel.

“Id like to face the winner of Holloway and Volkanovkski… I promise I’ll be better next time.”

It’s likely Zabit will be granted his wish due to his large following and hype, but for Kattar it’s just a learning curve and if the fight had been for 5 rounds, I think he could’ve won the bout.

Alexander Volkov defeated Hardy by unanimous decision

“Drago” defeated Greg Hardy comfortably to get back to winning ways since being knocked out by Derrick Lewis.

Greg Hardy stepped in to fit Volkov after Junior Dos Santos was unable to fight after getting an infection.

Hardy recently had a no contest after he was caught using an inhaler mid rounds, even though it was approved by the fighting commission.

Former NFL player, Hardy, came out of the stocks fast and rushed Volkov immediately, but neither fighter could implement their game plan.

Following the opening round, Hardy made it aware to his corner that his right hand was badly damaged, with his corner replying, “double up with the left.”

The American mixed martial artists didn’t stop using his right hand though and threw a bomb of an overhand but Volkov shook it off.

In response, the Russian kept Hardy at his range and arguably won the round with a variety of leg kicks and jabs.

It was evident the limited use of his right hand was not good for Hardy, who struggled to surprise Volkov with his repetitive striking, while Volkov was quite content to keep hardy at bay with his range advantage and sealed the victory comfortably.

The win puts Volkov’s record at 31-7, whilst the bout handed Hardy his second loss of his fighting career.

Danny Roberts KO’s Zelim Imadaev

Englishman Danny Roberts knocked out Zelim Imadaev with 6 seconds left in the second round.

Roberts increased his record to 17-5 with 8 knockouts after slipping to the left and connecting with a ferocious left hook that sent the body of Imadaev to turn 360 degrees.

Throughout the fight Roberts attempted to bring the fight to the ground, but few attempts paid off. After a final attempt the two began swinging and resulted in Roberts hitting the chin of the Russian as clean as a whistle.

“Everyone knows who I am.” Said Roberts to Dan Hardy following the fight.”

“I was just waiting and being patient and waiting to exploit the moment.”

“I know I hit harder than him and wanted to teach that guy respect.”

Ed Herman defeats Ibragimov by unanimous decision

Ed Herman made it back to back wins by defeating Ibragimov via decision.

Herman spent most of the scrappy first round with his back to the fence, but the veteran was efficient in the clinch with menacing elbows and knees, which inflicted lots of damage to Ibragimov’s.

Going into the second it was evident the Russian was tired already, but he showed heart to pull through another round Herman dominated.

Both seem tired, but Herman showed his composure and heart to clinch up again and unload knees on the face of a shattered Ibragimov.

The young Russian was cut badly multiple times across his face but held on and even scored a takedown to maybe push the judges score cards in his favour-but he clearly used all of his energy to bring the big American to the canvas and did nothing productive on top.

Anthony Rocco Martin defeats Ramazan Emeev by unanimous decision

Anthony Rocco Martin edged a decision victory over Dagestan fighter Ramazan Emeev, who was unbeaten in 5 years before today.

The noticeable difference that Martin brought to the table was his wicked calf kicks to the left leg of Emeev-the Russians’ calf was so swollen UFC co-commentator Dan Hardy jokingly said, “it looks like he has two calves!”

Throughout the bout, American fighter Martin and Emeev struggled to hit each other with any big shots, but to make up for it Martin displayed his submission skills by attempting a couple of kimuras and a guillotine, however he was unable to pull any of them off.

Martin’s coach fuelled him with confidence saying, “his calves are beat up-lets go win this round!”

In the third, Emeev attempted a takedown of his own, but athletically Martin sprawled and prevented the Russian from getting a opportunity to turn the fight in his favour.

Following the decision, Martin emotionally announced, “I love you mum!”

“She was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer-mum lets get the bucket list done!”

Shamil Gamzatov defeats Klidosn Abreu by close split decision

Shamil Gamzatov defeated Klidson Abreu by split decision (28,29 and 29,28 x2) to increase his flawless MMA record to 14-0.

The bout was evenly contested throughout, with Abreu pulling of a couple takedowns to attempt to go ahead on the scorecards.

However Russian fighter Gamzatov had nearly double the amount of total strikes landing (82-47) and exactly double the amount of significant strikes Brazilian mixed martial artist Abreu achieved (64-32).

“I wasn’t sure I’d done enough to win the fight-thank you to the people,” exclaimed a delighted Gamzatov who seemed surprised to hear he had won.