Nursulton Ruziboev picked up right where he left off after more than a year away from competition.
Marking his 50th professional bout, the Uzbek veteran delivered another dominant performance at UFC Baku, submitting Andrey Pulyaev with a first-round rear-naked choke.
“Black” immediately took the center of the cage and pressured his opponent from the opening bell. Pulyaev attempted to keep the veteran at range with long strikes and kicks, but one mistimed body kick changed the entire complexion of the fight.
Ruziboev immediately took the center of the cage and pressured his opponent from the opening bell. Pulyaev attempted to keep the veteran at range with long strikes and kicks, but one mistimed body kick changed the entire complexion of the fight.
Ruziboev caught the kick and effortlessly converted it into a takedown. Although Pulyaev briefly worked his way back to his feet, the former middleweight contender never allowed him any breathing room. Ruziboev stayed attached in the clinch before dragging the Russian back to the canvas and quickly taking his back.
The 31-year-old patiently softened Pulyaev up with short punches while maintaining both hooks and controlling every movement. Once his opponent’s defense began to fade, Ruziboev slipped his arm under the chin and tightened the choke until Pulyaev lost consciousness at the 3:58 mark of the opening round.
With this victory, Nursulton Ruziboev improves his record to 37-9-2 overall and 5-1 inside the Octagon. The 32-year-old also remains unbeaten at middleweight in the UFC at 5-0, with four of those wins coming by stoppage.
