Mansur Abdul-Malik picked up a brutal finish in his official UFC debut, along with a $50,000 bonus.
LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Mansur Abdul-Malik[/autotag] beat Dusko Todorovic with a first-round TKO Saturday to open up the main card at UFC Fight Night 247 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Abdul-Malik, who picked up a brutal finish in his official UFC debut, along with a $50,000 bonus.
Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Dusko Todorovic
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) Mansur Abdul-Malik punches Dusko Todorovic of Montenegro in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Dusko Todorovic, UFC Fight Night 247 (via UFC)
“It did 100 percent (go as I expected) – especially when it comes to damage, when it comes to hurting him, when it comes to putting him out and getting him out of there in a quick way. But that’s a that’s a game opponent right there. All due respect to Dusko. That’s a Russian warrior right there. That’s a good man, and we went out there, we did battle, and it is what it is. I’m happy.”
“It feels familiar. This is my second time being in this seat, and I’m happy to be here. Not only does it feel familiar, but it feels good. I’m elated. I’m grateful right now and I’m so happy. Honestly, I don’t even think it will feel any different (if I fight in a big venue). It might feel less than the big moment. The big experience was walking through those doors the first time on the Contender Series, and even that wasn’t too significant in my mind. I feel like those moments are over, not in a sad way or in a bad way, but this is business. I’m a grown man. I’m an adult. I’m a man inside the UFC contracted to fight these other men. So all the happy, super, oh-my-God amazing experiences – those are not really there for me. I’m here for business. I love this business. It makes me happy. I’m so grateful to be here, but I don’t make it more than it is.”
Abdul-Malik on what he wants next
Mansur Abdul-Malik
“I’ll fight here. I’ll fight outside in the parking lot right now in the back. I don’t really see the venue of something super amazing and different. Of course I want to travel. Of course I want to be on the road with this business. I want to go to different places and experience that lifestyle and that environment. But at the end of the day, I’m in here to get inside of a cage and to fight other men. I can’t even think about if the sun is down right now, if the sun is up. I’m in here to fight, so wherever I am doesn’t matter. I want to go other places but, I’m here and I’m happy.”
To hear more from Abdul-Malik, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program has now paid out more than $30 million to athletes since its deal began with Venum.
LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 247 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $188,500.
The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.
UFC Fight Night 247 took place at the UFC Apex. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.
The full UFC Fight Night 247 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:
Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2471 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.
In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.
Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:
“UFC Fight Night 247: Magny vs. Prates” – $188,500
DWCS signee Mansur Abdul-Malik was brilliant in his UFC Vegas 100 debut with a first-round finish of Dusko Todorovic.
[autotag]Mansur Abdul-Malik[/autotag] had a dream octagon debut on Saturday when he ran through [autotag]Dusko Todorovic[/autotag] for a first-round finish at UFC Fight Night 247.
After earning a UFC contract on Week 1 of this year’s season of Dana White’s Contender Series, Abdul-Malik (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) showed why he was one of the more intriguing signings off the show when he overwhelmed Todorovic (12-5 MMA, 3-5 UFC) with power punches for a TKO at the 2:44 mark of Round 1 in the middleweight bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Check out the replay of Abdul-Malik’s performance below (via X):
Abdul-Malik was humble in the aftermath of his win, thanking his family, team and corner, which included former 185-pound champion Sean Strickland.
“Clean work,” Abdul-Malik said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “I want to make sure I stay this man and this person for the rest of my journey.”
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Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 247 results include:
Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Dusko Todorovic via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:44
MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom takes a closer look at the performances of the five winners from Dana White’s Contender Series 67.
Week 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series (2024) took place on Tuesday, and we’re grading the winners from the five-fight card, which streamed on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Since its inception in 2017, this series has shown to have legs in multiple ways while serving as a crockpot for contenders the UFC matchmakers can use to fill their roster for future events. With that trend in mind, here are the grades for the winning fighters – regardless of whether or not they earned a UFC contract – and an assessment of their probability to return to a UFC stage.
Lone’er Kavanagh
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 13: (R-L) Lone’er Kavanagh of England kicks An Tuan Ho of Vietnam in a flyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, week one on August 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Summary: Setting the tone for the night was a stunning knockout win by [auttotag]Lone’er Kavanagh[/autotag].
A half-Chinese phenom who hails from the United Kingdom, Kavanagh showed some flashes of his vaunted skills and swagger in what ultimately was a very short fight.
Kavanagh’s opponent, An Tuan Ho, was also a highly-touted prospect coming into this contest, but this night saw some brutal prospect losses for more than one undefeated fighter.
It’s nice to see that Kavanagh is also an explosive athlete to boot, which should serve him well in the weight class he competes in.
I’m also glad to see Dana White sign this kid without hesitation, as I hope that Kavanagh’s performance serves as a solid reminder for the UFC brass that flyweight is a banging division that deserves to be showcased.
Although Kavanagh appears ready enough for the winner or loser of next month’s matchup between Andre Lima vs. Felipe dos Santos, I suspect the promotion will put him up against Mitch Raposo for his first swing at bat.
Jose Miguel Delgado
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Jose Delgado punches Ernie Juarez in a featherweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, week one on August 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Summary: Despite taking the fight on 11 days’ notice, [autotag]Marquel Mederos[/autotag] produced an emphatic knockout over Ernie Juarez to earn a UFC contract.
As I pointed out in my prospects to watch in 2024 column, Jaurez reminded me of a miniature Daniel Cormier with style and stature. Unfortunately for Jaurez, this also meant that, stylistically, his wrestle-boxing sensibilities would run him right into the power shots of Delgado’s southpaw stance.
Although Delgado’s flowy nature allows him to shift fairly liberally, the MMA Lab product operated best out of southpaw – establishing the desired double threats early that would eventually lead to his finish over Jaurez.
I appreciate the general structure and flow that Delgado brings to the table and see him being a good pickup for the UFC as a reliable action fighter for the foreseeable future. That said, he’ll need to shore his defense and awareness at boxing range given that his style inherently opens him up for counters that UFC-level opposition will likely test sooner than later.
Bruno Lopes
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Bruno Lopes of Brazil punches Mikheil Sazhiniani of Georgia in a light heavyweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, week one on August 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Summary: Even though it was hard not to be happy for [autotag]Bruno Lopes[/autotag] getting signed on his second swing at bat on this stage, I found it difficult to get too enthusiastic about the Brazilian’s performance.
Despite understandably being thrown off by the awkwardly spastic blitzes of Mikheil Sazhiniani, Lopes appeared to be a bit too hesitant for my liking (something that was echoed by Paul Felder from the commentary booth).
This, of course, became apparent by the second round – which saw Sazhiniani gasping for air and looking to be hurt on multiple occasions. And though I was ready to write off Lopes after clinching with what was a clearly hurt Sazhiniani, the Brazilian fighter was able to land a direct hit to the body that properly showed his Georgian foe the door.
I’m not surprised that the UFC president signed Lopes given both his love for big men and the fact that the heavier divisions have traditionally lacked the depth and numbers of their contemporaries. That said, I suspect we’ll see Lopes assigned to the B-side of matchups ranging anywhere from Ibo Aslan to Magomed Gadzhiyasulov.
Rami Hamed
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 13: (R-L) Rami Hamed of Russia punches Ding Meng of China in a welterweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, week one on August 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Summary: Despite the one-week notice and the fact that he was fighting through injury, I found it difficult to justify anything higher than a D for [autotag]Rami Hamed[/autotag].
I know that Hamed was facing a fiercely awkward fighter in Meng Ding who couldn’t seem to stop fouling him, but the Lebanese product was able to find some consistent openings throughout the fight that he either failed or had little interest in building upon.
I take Hamed at his word given that he was practically hobbling off the battlefield, but the Contender Series is a one-night audition that leaves little room for context or surrounding circumstances.
I’m not sure he’ll get a short-notice call-up to the octagon or the Contender Series considering his current health and showing, so don’t be surprised to see the matchmakers put Hamed on the docket for next season (where we’ll hopefully see him healthy and on a full camp).
In the meantime, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him paired up with names like Steven Nguyen or Luis Pajuelo in what would be guaranteed firefights.
Mansur Abdul-Malik
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Mansur Abdul-Malik kicks Wes Schultz in a middleweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season eight, week one on August 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Summary: Closing out the night strong was [autotag]Mansur Abdul-Malik[/autotag], who ended up with another brutal stoppage via ground strikes on his resume.
To Abdul-Malik’s own admission, it wasn’t the prettiest performance in what was the longest fight of his career. Luckily for Abdul-Malik, he’s still incredibly young and is already surrounding himself with top talent.
I obviously have a bit of a bias here given both my history with his head coach Eric Nicksick and the fact that Abdul-Malik was one of my prospects to watch in 2023, but ended up giving him what I feel is an appropriate B grading.
Although Abdul-Malik allowed Wes Schultz to get away with way too many naked spins and shots, the 26-year-old displayed solid patience and an ability to take instruction from his corner in regards to measuring his strikes and not worrying about power.
However, I’d be willing to bet that even Abdul-Malik’s critics can see the obvious power and potential that exists within this prospect – earning him every bit of said distinction.
Given the current landscape, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the UFC pair Abdul–Malik up with someone like Treasan Gore or Sedriques Dumas for his promotional debut.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 67.
In Tuesday’s headlining bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Abdul-Malik (6-0) finished opponent [autotag]Wes Schultz[/autotag] (6-2) with ground-and-pound elbows at 3:55 of Round 3.
The back-and-forth bout was entertaining throughout. Both fighters have wrestling backgrounds, but Abdul-Malik appeared to be the stronger grappler. Schultz was light on his feet as he attempted flashy strikes and landed a few hard ones on Abdul-Malik’s head.
But ultimately it was Abdul-Malik’s blows that would get the job done. Brutal elbows smashed Schultz’s dome until referee Herb Dean stepped in.
University of Maryland wrestler Mansur Abdul-Malik has showcased violent knockout abilities ahead of his UFC tryout.
[autotag]Mansur Abdul-Malik[/autotag] wasn’t always as positive as he is now. It took time, but the progression was natural. He discovered the power of the mind and is now on the UFC’s doorstep because of it.
A 5-0 pro, Abdul-Malik fights Tuesday at Dana White’s Contender Series 67 with the opportunity to change his life, and the lives of those around him. Isn’t that enough to smile about?
“There’s no other place I want to be,” Abdul-Malik recently told MMA Junkie. “There’s literally no other place I’d want to be than worshipping God and just being peaceful and make my family happy. Other than that, there’s no other place I’d want to be. I just love it so much in there. I just feel like my mind is emptied in there.”
“When I go compete, it just feels so freeing. I swear, it feels so natural than regular, everyday life. When I go compete, it’s like a breath of fresh air. It’s like I’m here. I’m here and I can drop all the worries. I can drop all the other stuff that doesn’t matter. I can drop all the negativities and people that don’t matter.”
A Maryland native, Abdul-Malik has long been destined for the opportunity like the one he’ll have Tuesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. There were some necessary delays along the way, but the journey always resumed.
A jiu-jitsu practitioner since six, Abdul-Malik fell in love with wrestling in middle school. That passion and success carried over into high school, and then at wrestling career at the University of Maryland while studying kinesiology.
Along the way, Abdul-Malik met fellow Maryland native Bryan Hamper, of SuckerPunch Entertainment, who served as a mentor and helped pave his path toward MMA success.
“I’ve known him since I was a teenager,” Abdul-Malik said. “That’s one of my best people in this sport and in this life as well. That’s a good man.”
In a place where adrenaline and nerves flow at the highest levels, Abdul-Malik has found peace and spiritual freedom. As he racked up first-round finish after first-round finish (he now has five of them) the cage began to feel more and more like home.
“I wasn’t always like this,” Abdul-Malik said. “I definitely wasn’t thinking positive. I wasn’t optimistic. But I understood the power of the mind. The power of positivity. The power of good vibes and belief and the faith in what you’re doing and your actions. It just flowed into MMA. It’s all just one big bubble. It’s not just one aspect of my life I’m positive in. It’s everything.
“… This is what I want to dedicate my life too, but also in the same hand, I kind of disconnect and treat it like it’s something that’s recreational. As much as I care about it, it’s also one of the very last things that matters in life. Life is so beautiful, man. There are so many different aspects of it. I have my family. I have my body. I have my health. I have other things I’m involved in that make me happy. I have food. I freaking love food. There are so many other aspects of life I feel people kind of forget.”
Abdul-Malik will fight Wes Schultz (6-1) in the headlining bout of DWCS 67 and have the opportunity to earn a UFC deal if he impresses the brass. While it’s an accomplishment to get this far, the real reward remains distant.
“My short-term goal is to get my hand raised on Tuesday,” Abdul-Malik said. “My long-term goal is to become a two-weight world champion, get all the money I can get my hands on and then give back to the people that gave to me, and give back to other people in forms of inspiration when it comes to anything financial, helping them in any way I possibly can. I’ll just live a good life and continue to build my wealth and status after fighting. I know and understand this won’t last forever, but I’m going to take every single possible thing I can from this career. It doesn’t only revolve around fighting.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 67.
