Maxim Grishin
Division: Heavyweight
Result: Marcin Tybura def. Maxim Grishin via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Record: (30-78-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Grade: E
Russian veteran [autotag]Maxim Grishin[/autotag] marked the occasion of his 40th professional fight by making his UFC debut as he stepped in on short notice – and stepped up from his usual weight class of light heavyweight – to take on Poland’s Marcin Tybura at heavyweight. But his first taste of the octagon proved to be a bitter one as he ended up on the wrong end of a lopsided defeat.
The size differential between the pair was evident on weigh-in day, when the Russian tipped the scale 29 pounds lighter than his opponent, and Grishin found himself having to deal with the Pole’s size and weight advantage during a matchup that saw him struggle to establish a foothold.
Grishin was on the back foot throughout the three-round preliminary card bout as he was consistently backed up by Tybura, who threw only a few setup strikes as he looked to establish the clinch against the fence. That lack of striking offense from the Pole gave counter-striker Grishin little to work against as he struggled to let his own strikes go.
When the fight went to the mat, Tybura dominated top position with his heavier frame and grappling skills as he eventually took the Russian’s back and locked up a body triangle midway through the final round. Grishin looked out of ideas, but he managed to hold off Tybura’s late push for a finish to reach the judges’ scorecards.
They didn’t make for pretty reading for the debutant, however, as Tybura claimed a shutout decision victory, with scores of 30-27, 30-27, 30-26 reflecting his dominance. Grishin was out of his weight class and out of his depth against Tybura, but his grit saw him through to the scorecards. He’ll be hoping his willingness to step up on short notice in a heavier weight class will have earned him a second chance. He’ll almost certainly want it at 205 pounds.
Next up: Russian lightweight endures a rollercoaster debut