Nicolas Dalby stunned fans at UFC Qatar with a big upset victory over Saygid Izagakhmaev.
As Izagakhmaev looked to get his offense going early, Dalby was quick to close the distance and pin his opponent’s back against the fence. After a two-and-a-half-minute stalemate, the referee separated the fighters, returning them to the center of the Octagon.
Izagakhmaev shot in for a takedown, but Dalby stuffed it with ease and clinched up against the cage once again. Dalby attempted to drop Izagakhmaev, but the Russian was hip to it and reversed, putting Dalby on the mat and immediately moving into full mount. Dalby worked his way back up quickly, but with only 20 seconds left in the round, there was little he could do.
After a relatively lackluster opening round, Izagakhmaev wasted no time shooting in for a takedown in the second and getting Dalby to the mat. Again, Dalby was able to get to his feet fast, but there was practically no offense coming from the Dane.
Dalby attempted another trip in the center of the Octagon, but just as he did before, Izagakhmaev reversed and took his opponent’s back in the process. Izagakhmaev slapped on a body triangle, but Dalby turned himself, getting into top control with little more than 30 seconds left in the stanza. Dalby was unable to capitalize on the position, sending us to the third round with the score potentially tied.
Izagakhmaev started to show signs of fatigue in the third as Dalby continued to wear him down in the clinch. Izagakhmaev managed to get a takedown with two minutes to go in the fight. However, Dalby reversed, momentarily taking the Russian’s back before getting into a 50/50 position against the cage.
Both fighters offered a labored attempt at striking just before the horn, sending us to the scorecards after three exhausting rounds.
Official Result: Nicolas Dalby def. Saygid Izagakhmaev via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Check Out Highlights From Saygid Izagakhmaev vs. Nicolas Dalby at UFC Qatar:
