The future of lightweight division Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) (at least according to Khabib Nurmagomedov), Islam Makhachev, was looking to extend its win streak to seven tonight (Saturday, March 6, 2021 ), locking horns with a 15-fight Octagon. veteran Drew Dober at UFC 259 inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dober was one of the biggest bet underdogs on the entire card, so it would be a huge annoyance if he could turn off Makhachev’s hype train.
Unfortunately for him, Makhachev was just too much, threatening Dober for more than 11 minutes on the ground before receiving a fight finish claim trophy in the third round.
The two fighters emerged in a Southpaw position, with Dober looking to line up on the big left hand on Makhachev’s beard. Makhachev pumped the injection and then ran in for a one-legged house less than one minute into the store. Makhachev was pinned in the middle of the Octagon – right where he wanted it. Dober locked down Makhachev’s leg to make sure he didn’t get a full climb, with the Dagestani dipping his ears to make him soft. Makhachev tried to cut his leg down free and finally got hold of it and got into a full climb. However, Dober put him in half guard, with Makhachev eventually going to side-control. Makhachev went for a full climb and Dober used it to try to spin out from below, but Makhachev held on as a call. After a brief scratch, Makhachev was able to lock in tight arms, and Dober appeared to be in big trouble, but was able to get out of danger right before the round ended.
It was a key round for Makhachev, with Dober needing a big look before the fight hit the floor. And it didn’t come – Makhachev carried it back on its back in less than 40 seconds. Makhachev filled it against the bottom of the cage and let go of hard elbows, as Dober tried to scour up and use the fence to get back to his feet. Makhachev read Dober’s legs in between and finally got a chance to return to the floor completely. Short photos from Makhachev while on top, but nothing significant came ashore. Makhachev followed the face, then the body, with Dober trying to push him away with his feet. With 30 seconds left, Makhachev landed very hard on the ground, but Dober remained with him and defended until he came to an end.
Dober was drastically down on the judges’ scoring cards – he needed a Hail Mary finish to go home victorious. And he went for it to start the final third frame, but finished on his back again, this time less than 30 seconds into the round. Dober tried to get back to his feet, but Makhachev was just suffering from the high position. He went for a kimura from the bottom, but Makhachev moved to the side and sank in a tight choking of an arm triangle. At this point, Dober had nothing left and thanked him for sinking.
These weren’t the most exciting 10 minutes, but Makhachev put Dober down in clinical fashion and found an attractive appeal. There is no doubt that it is likely to be closer to the Lightweight Top 10 as a result and, hopefully, top-down competition down the line.
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