Debutant of the week: UFC Columbus
A look at the prospect who may be the next big thing out of Dagestan
Let’s be honest, not many pay-per-view’s could successfully follow the UFC London card we were treated too last weekend, let alone trying to follow it with a fight night card from Ohio… However, this event may surprise a few people. Names like Neil Magny, the always exciting Slava Clause making his sophomore appearance, and the flyweight number one contender spot is on the line in a matchup between Kai Kara-France and Askar Askarov… but I digress.
You’re here to get the scoop on the fighters making their promotional debut.
Again, just one debutant this week… Well, I’ll be honest, there’s two on the card. They’re facing each other. In my humble opinion, this one is set up as a gimmie’ fight. Comparing both fighters strength of schedule and records, its fairly obvious who the UFC is banking on coming out victorious.
Now, never say never - this is mixed martial arts after all, and maybe I’ll look like an arrogant fool when the fight is said and done; but I’ve decided to focus solely on the newest prospect out of Russia…
ALIASKHAB KHIZRIEV - 13-0-0
5 KO/3 SUB/5 DEC
Makhachkala, Russia
AGE: 31
Height: 5’9”
Reach 74”
Middleweight
Dagestan’s Makhachkala region may well have another star in the making on their hands.
Undefeated Aliaskhab Khizriev makes his long awaited UFC debut in Columbus, Ohio this weekend, opposite fellow debutant Denis Tiuliulin.
That DWCS bout (now edging on two years ago) saw Khizriev take on streaking Brazilian, Henrique Shiguemoto - a knockout artist who had gone eight fights undefeated since 2013.
Khizriev took him down and submitted him 50 seconds into the first round.
If that’s not rewarding enough in it’s own right, Dana White, astounded by his performance, couldn’t give the now 31 year old a contract fast enough.
“I literally have nothing to say about this kid, other than he needs to be in the UFC,” Dana told Laura Sanko on the broadcast, after the first round finish.
Before his shot at the ‘big leagues’, Khizriev fought the majority of his career on the regional circuit at welterweight (though he’s fought as low as 155lbs), with the Russian ultimately earning himself the vacant Fight Nights Global 170lb strap with another early finish; this time eight seconds slower against UFC veteran Rousimar Palhares in 2018.
Coincidentally this was his final fight before appearing on DWCS over two years later.
The Russian’s end goal once the cage door closes, is to control the fight on the ground, and finish with heavy strikes until the ref steps in or he secures a neck - something he’s proven to do with ease in the past. However, though not quite as polished as his ground game, Khizriev’s striking is dangerous in its own right.
An arsenal of varied kicks gauges distance and keep opponents at bay, as Khizriev begins to dictate the pace on the feet. Once an opening presents itself, he’ll fire a short combo finishing with a heavy overhand left that serves a dual purpose - if it connects, it’s likely going to drop his opponent, or at the very least rock them.
If it misses, however, Khizriev capitalises on his own over commitment to the shot to close the distance, allowing him to grab a hold of the body; a position from which he’ll chain takedown attempts together until his opponent ultimately hits the floor.
As an all-rounder, Khizriev may be happy to engage in striking exchanges on the feet, and even initiate them- and while he’s threatening in these moments, don’t be fooled; This simply sets up opportunities for the wrestler to take the fight where he is most dangerous and has the most chance of success.
With just two fights in the last four years, it would be unwise to rule out a factor like ‘ring rust’, or some other intangible element - though quite clearly a two year absence from the sport had little to no impact on the (albeit short) performance we saw on the Contender Series - so make of that what you will.
Another early finish in Columbus would add further to the intrigue surrounding this prospect from the now world famous region of Dagestan. As it stands, the ceiling on Khizriev’s ability seems quite high - We’re yet to see him against top competition, so I’ll reserve any kind of grand statements until that point; but for now, you should be keeping a close eye on this prospect going forward.