Tag: Makhmud Muradov

Video: Makhmud Muradov sends Trevor Smith’s mouthpiece flying with brutal knockout

Makhmud Muradov sent Trevor Smith’s mouthpiece into orbit at UFC DC.

[autotag]Makhmud Muradov[/autotag] sent [autotag]Trevor Smith[/autotag]’s mouthpiece into orbit Saturday.

In the UFC on ESPN 7 preliminary card curtain jerker, Muradov (24-6 MMA, 2-0 UFC) landed a massive overhand right at 4:09 of the second round, which knocked Smith (15-10 MMA, 5-7 UFC) out upon impact.

The fight-ending blow was the final of a three-punch combination. As Muradov’s hand landed, Smith’s mouthpiece rocketed out of position. Smith’s unconscious body crashed to the canvas, his arm awkwardly twisting behind him.

The win was Muradov’s second, but his first finish since signing with the UFC. Muradov’s UFC entry garnered much attention as he was the first MMA fighter signed to Floyd Mayweather’s The Money Team.

As for Smith, the loss is the fourth in his five most recent outings.

Check out Makhmud Murdaov’s walkoff knockout of Trevor Smith at UFC on ESPN 7 in the video above.

UFC on ESPN 7 took place at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The main card aired on ESPN following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

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TMT’s Makhmud Muradov discusses Floyd Mayweather connection, future plans ahead of UFC on ESPN 7

The UFC’s Makhmud Muradov shares how he connected with Floyd Mayweather to join his TMT team.

WASHINGTON — [autotag]Makhmud Muradov[/autotag]’s MMA career is under the tutelage of one of the greatest boxers of all-time.

The UFC middleweight, who competes on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 7 against Trevor Smith, is part of Floyd Mayweather’s The Money Team. TMT, though, has mainly been associated with boxers which makes the connection with Muradov (23-6 MMA, 1-0) interesting.

Muradov says the relationship with Maywether started a few years back in one of Maywether’s trips to Czech Republic.

“I’m The Money Team, my brothers are here to support me, so I’m The Money Team because they’ve helped me, support me,” Muradov told MMA Junkie. “Floyd my brother. It’s not a team, it’s a family. Four years ago, Floyd came to visit Czech and I met him and after talking, I’m now Money Team.”

Ray Sadeghi, Mayweather’s personal bodyguard, was also present during the interview with Muradov and added a few more details to the connection between the UFC fighter and the boxing superstar.

“We had an appearance a long time in Czech Republic and we got to meet one of his (Muradov) guys, so we connect over there,” Sadeghi said. “Ever since then, me Muradov became close friends and I’ve been with Floyd for eight years – I’ve been his main personal bodyguard.

“And ever since then, Muradov has been traveling all over the world with Floyd, going to Miami to watch the basketball games, everything, so we do everything together. He’s part of TMT and he’s family. And nothing would be possible without our brother Floyd Mayweather.”

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Mayweather has been an instrumental figure in Muradov’s career.

“He’s helped me mentally all the time, supporting me, he’s a very big motivation for me,” Muradov said. “He’s the best boxer in the world, so I’m happy I have a friend, family, and brother in Floyd Mayweather.”

Sadeghi also agrees about Maywether’s positive influence.

“Whether it’s MMA or boxing, it’s still a combat sport,” Sadeghi added. “And Floyd’s numbers don’t lie, he’s 50-0 and he’s the best pound-for-pound boxer, so any advice he can give Muradov, it can be used in MMA as well.”

Recently, Mayweather was seen with UFC president Dana White at a basketball game in Los Angeles, and with White planning on getting involved in boxing, many have wondered if there’s something in the works between the two promoters.

Sadeghi said something big is coming, but was discrete about revealing any details.

“Yes, who doesn’t want to see ‘Money’ Maywether come back again,” Sadeghi said. “Floyd is going to fight boxing again. Floyd is a boxer not an MMA fighter, but you never know, for that you have to stay tuned. But something big is coming up between Dana White and Floyd Mayweather, The Money Team, but that’s secret. I can’t tell you right now.”

Regardless of whatever is cooking between Maywether and White, Muradov is happy to be in the UFC and even happier he’s not fighting Smith on a 10-day notice.

“I feel good because I’ve been preparing for three weeks, not one week like my first fight in the UFC,” Muradov said. “I took my first UFC fight in 10 days and now I have three weeks so I’m ready. I’m here in Washington to get my next win.”

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UFC on ESPN 7 pre-event facts: Alistair Overeem is the most accurate striker in UFC history

The best facts and figures about UFC on ESPN 7, which features a Alistair Overeem vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik heavyweight main event.

The UFC returns to Washington D.C. for the first time in more than eight years on Saturday with UFC on ESPN 7. The card is set to air on ESPN following early prelims on ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

In the headliner, two heavyweights on winning streaks will attempt to take another step up the divisional pecking order when perennial contender [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] (45-17 MMA, 10-6 UFC) takes on [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who stepped in on short notice as a replacement for Walt Harris.

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the 12-fight card, check below for 50 pre-event facts about UFC on ESPN 7.

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Main event

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Overeem, 39, is the oldest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

Overeem’s two-fight UFC winning streak at heavyweight is tied for the fourth longest active streak in the division behind Rozenstruik (three), Francis Ngannou (three) and Augusto Sakai (three).

Overeem is one of 11 fighters in UFC history to earn 10 or more heavyweight wins.

Overeem has earned 40 of his 45 career victories by stoppage. That includes seven of his 10 UFC wins.

Overeem lands 73.8 percent of his significant strike attempts in UFC competition, the highest rate in company history.

Overeem has been on the losing end of the fifth and sixth largest statistical comeback finishes in UFC heavyweight history. He out-landed Antonio Silva by 30 significant strikes before being knocked out at UFC 156, and he out-landed Travis Browne by 27 significant strikes before his demise at UFC Fight Night 26

Overeem’s 13 knockout losses in MMA competition are the most of any active member on the UFC roster.

Overeem’s 11 knockout losses in UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce competition are the most in combined organizational history.

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Rozenstruik makes his second UFC appearance in a 35-day stretch. He defeated Andrei Arlovski at UFC 244 on Nov. 2.

Rozenstruik’s three-fight UFC winning streak at heavyweight is tied with Ngannou and Sakai for the longest active streak in the division.

Rozenstruik has earned eight of his nine career victories by stoppage. That includes all three of his UFC wins.

Rozenstruik’s three-fight knockout streak in UFC competition is tied with Ngannou, Amanda Nunes, Maycee Barber, Jared Cannonier and Justin Gaethje for the longest active streak in the company.

Rozenstruik’s nine-second knockout at UFC on ESPN+ 12 is the second fastest in UFC heavyweight history behind Todd Duffee’s seven-second finish at UFC 102.

Co-main event

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[autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag]’s (13-0-1 MMA, 2-0-1 UFC) three-fight UFC unbeaten streak at strawweight is tied for the fourth longest active streak in the division behind Tatiana Suarez (five), Yan Xiaonan (four) and Zhang Weili (four).

Rodriguez fought to the first draw in UFC strawweight history against Randa Markos at UFC Fight Night 137 in September 2018.

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[autotag]Cynthia Calvillo[/autotag]’s (8-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) five wins since 2017 in strawweight competition are tied for most in the division.

Calvillo’s three submission victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied with Rose Namajunas for most in divisional history.

Calvillo has completed at least one takedown in five of her six UFC appearances.

Calvillo’s nine submission attempts in UFC strawweight competition are most in divisional history.

Calvillo attempts 2.02 submission attempts per 15 minutes in UFC strawweight competition, the most in divisional history.

Remaining main card

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[autotag]Stefan Struve[/autotag] (29-11 MMA, 13-9 UFC) returns to competition after announcing his retirement from MMA following a victory at UFC on ESPN+ 3 in February.

Struve competes in his 23rd UFC heavyweight bout, the third most appearances in divisional history behind Andrei Arlovski (31) and Frank Mir (27).

Struve’s 13 victories in UFC heavyweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Arlovski (17), Mir (16) and Junior Dos Santos (15).

Struve’s 11 stoppage victories in UFC heavyweight competition are tied with Arlovski and Gabriel Gonzaga for second most in divisional history behind Mir (13).

Struve’s six submission victories in UFC heavyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Mir (eight).

Struve’s 21 submission attempts in UFC heavyweight competition are tied with Mir for most in divisional history.

Struve’s eight fight-night bonuses for UFC heavyweight fights are second most in divisional history behind Stipe Miocic (nine).

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[autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag]’s (36-12 MMA, 6-6 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since January 2016.

Rothwell is 0-2 since he returned from a nearly three-year layoff in March.

[autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag]’s (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) two knockout victories in UFC women’s bantamweight competition are tied for fourth most in divisional history behind Nunes (six), Ronda Rousey (three) and Germaine de Randamie (three).

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[autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is 2-0 since she returned to the UFC women’s bantamweight division in October 2018.

Kunitskaya’s two-fight UFC winning streak at women’s bantamweight is tied for the fourth longest active streak in the division behind Nunes (eight), de Randamie (four) and Ketlen Vieira (four).

[autotag]Cody Stamann[/autotag] (18-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has earned all four of his UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Song Yadong[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 4-0 UFC), 22, is the youngest of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete at the event.

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[autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) returns to competition for the first time since Dec. 15, 2018. The 357-day layoff is the longest of his more than eight-year career.

Font has alternated wins and losses in his past five fights. He won his most recent bout at UFC on FOX 31 in December 2018.

Font’s five stoppages victories in UFC bantamweight competition are tied for fifth most in divisional history behind T.J. Dillashaw (eight), Urijah Faber (seven), Marlon Vera (seven) and Pedro Munhoz (six).

Font’s four knockout victories in UFC bantamweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Dillashaw (seven) and Eddie Wineland (five).

[autotag]Ricky Simon[/autotag]’s (15-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) victory at the 5:00 mark of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 128 is the latest stoppage in a three-round UFC fight.

Preliminary card

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[autotag]Thiago Alves[/autotag] (23-14 MMA, 15-11 UFC) competes in his 26th UFC welterweight bout, the most appearances in divisional history.

Alves’ 15 victories in UFC welterweight competition are the third most in divisional history behind Georges St-Pierre (19) and Matt Hughes (16).

Alves’ nine stoppage victories in UFC welterweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Hughes (12) and Matt Brown (12).

Alves’ eight knockout victories in UFC welterweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Brown (10).

Alves’ 13 knockdowns landed in UFC welterweight competition are the most in divisional history.

Alves’ four knockout victories stemming from knee strikes in UFC competition are most in company history.

Alves has landed 380 leg kicks in UFC competition, the second most in company history behind Joanna Jedrzejczyk (430).

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[autotag]Tim Means[/autotag] (28-11-1 MMA, 10-8 UFC) is 8-6 (with one no contest) since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in May 2014.

[autotag]Makhmud Muradov[/autotag] (23-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is 17-1 in his past 18 fights dating back to March 2015.

Muradov enters the event on a 12-fight winning streak. He hasn’t suffered a defeat since December 2016.

[autotag]Trevor Smith[/autotag] (15-9 MMA, 5-6 UFC) has earned all five of his UFC victories by decision. He hasn’t earned a stoppage victory since June 2012.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

Floyd Mayweather protege Makhmud Muradov believes he’s better than Trevor Smith everywhere

Makhmud Muradov believes he’s better than UFC DC opponent Trevor Smith everywhere the fight can go.

After a successful UFC debut in September, [autotag]Makhmud Muradov[/autotag] will make the cage walk one more time before the end of the year.

Muradov (23-6 MMA, 1-0 UFC) steps in on short notice once again to take on [autotag]Trevor Smith[/autotag] (15-9 MMA, 5-6 UFC) at UFC on ESPN 7 on Dec. 7.

Being active is nothing new for Muradov, who is set to enter his sixth fight in 2019.

“UFC contacted me and my management about this bout, again, not a second of hesitation,” Muradov told MMA Junkie. “I am very used to fighting every two to three months so I can say, I am always ready for a fight. And it makes a huge difference between short notice on 13 days and four to five weeks. This time, I sure as hell will be prepared.”

Muradov defeated Alessio Di Chirico via unanimous decision in his UFC debut in September, extending his win streak to 12 in a row. He will be making a relatively quick turnaround when he takes on Smith, and believes he’ll have an edge wherever the fight goes.

“My opponent is very skilled fighter, with more than 10 UFC fights,” Muradov said. “He has a good standup game and is an experienced wrestler. All my respect to him, but I am going to be better in everything. Whatever comes. Stand up, ground even in air if necessary.”

And for the Uzbekistani middleweight, who’s competed the entirety of his career in Europe, this will be his first fight in the United States, an opportunity he’s looking to make the most of.

“Each audience is different, the Czech, the Russian, they know me well, because of my fights,” Muradov said. “American audience is something completely new, and I am excited to pull them on my side by my performance.”

“I have a huge fan base behind my back, I am used to such pressure,” Muradov added. “Everything I do, I do for them and because of them. There were no nerves at all. I know the purpose, why I am doing all of this, and it’s pushing me forward.”

Muradov is the only MMA fighter currently signed to Floyd Mayweather’s “Money Team.” He was able to speak to Mayweather after his first UFC fight, who congratulated him for his win.

“Four years ago we met on one occasion in Prague and since then, we are what we are, a family,” Muradov said. “He was one of the first ones I spoke to after the (Di Chirico) fight. We Face-timed, he congratulated me, he was happy about my first win. We are not just a management team, or something like that. We in ‘TMT’, we are a true family. Success of one, is success of everybody.”

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