UAE Warriors 51 Recap: What Stood Out (FdrNphw) (Patreon)

I know most of you have already forgotten about the UAE Warriors 51 card happening after that UFC event last night. Still, noteworthy stuff happened in the United Arab Emirates yesterday so here's part two of my coverage. The review of performances from fighters is mentioned in part one.

Magomed Zaynukov had a fantastic striking performance that had me fantasizing about his next fight being under the UFC banner. The hype went down a bit in the third round when he got tired a bit. It wasn't anything too alarming but a better UFC level fighter would made him pay for it. I saw that some of the people on Twitter were down critiquing his grappling but it has looked better than in the past. Still not good enough to defend takedowns vs UFC wrestlers but better. Knees, elbows, kicks, everything was great except for a few times when he swung for the bleachers and almost spun himself around. It was a step in the UFC's direction, just not a final one. In my opinion, he's one or two fights away.

Asaf Chopurov's fight wasn't broadcasted on Fight Pass duo to stream issues, so I had to find a video of it from the stands. For anyone who hasn't watched it yet click the link below.

https://youtu.be/7fGsBWdQzvo?si=9YQ7u5eVUiqvRmYG

He looked very good. Did very little striking but wrestled well, controlled his opponent, and took his back once he was trying to stand up. Took his back twice and that's the position from where he finished him with a rear naked choke. One step closer to DWCS, most likely only next season. No time to hurry.

Arslan Bilalov beat Benjamin Šehić by being on top of him, not getting subbed, and inflicting (little) damage. It was the most impressive type of victory I had hoped for, but I'm still a bit disappointed. He got tired as the fight went on and striking didn't look good. It's still well worth following his career, just I got the sense that there is a possibility that he never develops into a good fighter. Just the way he moved on the feet.

Amru Magomedov won via naked leg kicks, front kicks, and going for a rear naked choke immediately after his opponent turned his back. If you read my Amru Magomedov article you probably weren't surprised. His opponent held him a bit low and they got lower as Amru hurt him to the body with his kicks, which opened up his head as a target. Amru then started throwing high kicks and jabs, even hurting him with one. After a good right-hand counter to Kabdulla's body attack, Amru's finishing instinct kicked in and it was all over so thereafter. His wrestling didn't look good and I still don't see him as a UFC contender, but a UFC contract or DWCS spot should be next.

The Renier De Ridder vs Khasaev fight wasn't a big surprise either if you read part one. RDR took him down rather easily and Khasaev was just trying to survive/endure as much as he could before RDR flattened him out and finished him off with ground and pound. De Ridder did get wobbled a bit after a solid punch from Magomedmurad which confirms his striking weakness. It'll be fun to monitor where he goes next. Fun addition regardless of the destination. 

Rashid Vagabov won via guillotine when he sank in on an opponent going for a double leg against the fence. Not much happened in this fight prior to that first-round finish. My opinion on Vagabov's low ceiling remains. 

Khabib Nabiev had an impressive win. First round rear naked choke. Swiftly took down his opponent and choked him out. Not much resistance from his opponent. His takedown was great and same as with Vagabov I'm not a believer in him. Just a regional fighter (quality-wise) if you ask me.