Nicolas Dalby (24-6-1 MMA, 8-5-1 UFC) edged Saygid Izagakhmaev (23-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at ABHA Arena for UFC Qatar in a huge win for the Danish underdog.
Dalby gets a body lock early against the cage, and starts to work knees. The two separate, then Dynamite back in on the legs and a tie-up against the cage. Izagakhmaev is able to flip Dalby from his feet to the ground and get control in the final minute. Nicolas not content and gets to his feet with 20 seconds left. A close round, but the Dane was the aggressor and landed good knees for more damage.
The Russian wastes no time in the second frame and immediately lands a take-down. Again, it is the Rumble fighter that battles back to his feet. The crowd is booing, not liking the lack of action. Dalby is pressing forward in a tie-up, and now defending a take-down two minutes in. And for a bounce, Saygid had it to the ground. Dalby with a body lock, and goes for his take-down in the middle of the cage, but it is reversed as it hits the mat and Saygid takes back, and locks in a body triangle. Dalby relaxes with a minute left and reverses position! Now on top in the guard. Wow, and the momentum has totally changed. Good left elbow. That is damage! And another!
The corner is questioning why the Russian fighter has no energy entering the final frame. On the other side, Dalby is fired up… and comes forward and pushes Izagakhmaev up against the cage. Nice slashing elbows, and a knee the clinch. Work Dalby, work! Saygid throwing punches, but they look slow. And he looks up at the clock to see when this grind fest will be over. Dalby is head down and moving forward like a Lego automotive train. Choo… choo on his way to a win with 2 minutes left. The breathing is rythmic, and Dalby with a nice grappling session and sneaks in a knee on the feet. Damage is on Dalby’s side.
Dalby wins by split decision, 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28! The Dane is ecstatic!
