Latest news with #Musayev
USA Today
21-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Myktybek Orolbai plays spoiler, cranks Tofiq Musayev into first-round tap at UFC Baku
Myktybek Orolbai was in position to play spoiler for the UFC debut of Tofiq Musayev in front of his home fans, and he did it in a big way. Orolbai (14-2-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) submitted Musayev (22-6 MMA, 0-1 UFC) with a picture-perfect kimura with 25 seconds left in the first round of their lightweight fight on the main card at UFC on ABC 8. Musayev came out to a big ovation from the fans at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the UFC set up shop for the first time, but Orolbai left them disappointed. In the buildup to the fight, Orolbai said he was planning a surprise for Musayev, and that may have come in the form of three takedowns in the opening minutes of the fight. Ultimately, that was his perfect path to the win. Check out the tail end of his finish below. Orolbai got back in the win column after a Fight of the Night loss to Mateusz Rebecki this past October, which snapped an eight-fight streak. Musayev, a former Bellator and Rizin standout, dropped his promotional debut and had a two-fight streak snapped. Up-to-the-minute UFC Baku results:
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tofiq Musayev ready for 'different level' in UFC on ABC 8 debut
Tofiq Musaev enters his UFC on ABC 8 debut with a more decorated resume than most newcomers, but he knows stepping into the octagon is something unto itself. Musayev (22-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who won the 2019 Rizin FF lightweight grand prix and has beaten the likes of Patricky Freire, Johnny Case and Sidney Outlaw, will test himself against the 155-pound roster in the UFC starting with Saturday's matchup against Myktybek Orolbai (13-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at Baku Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+). Advertisement "It's a dream of all fighters to be fighting in the UFC," Musayev said through an interpreter at Wednesday's UFC on ABC 8 media day. "It's a different level of course. I feel very lucky that I'm ere. I have fought in different organizations but this is a unique one. I have prepared well and I am going to represent my country with pride. I have prepared specifically for my opponent." Although Musayev has proven himself to be high level, there's speculation about whether, at 35, he's coming into the shark tank of the UFC's lightweight division too late to rise to the top. Only time will tell, but he intends to give it his best shot. "Age is just a number for me," Musayev said. "If anyone thinks otherwise, they shouldn't even be competing in the UFC." Advertisement "I'm focused on my opponent and later on I will focus on the next steps. This fight will determine what the next fights will be." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Baku: RIZIN vet Tofiq Musayev ready for 'different level' in debut
USA Today
19-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tofiq Musayev ready for 'different level' in UFC on ABC 8 debut
Tofiq Musayev ready for 'different level' in UFC on ABC 8 debut Tofiq Musaev enters his UFC on ABC 8 debut with a more decorated resume than most newcomers, but he knows stepping into the octagon is something unto itself. Musayev (22-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who won the 2019 Rizin FF lightweight grand prix and has beaten the likes of Patricky Freire, Johnny Case and Sidney Outlaw, will test himself against the 155-pound roster in the UFC starting with Saturday's matchup against Myktybek Orolbai (13-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at Baku Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+). "It's a dream of all fighters to be fighting in the UFC," Musayev said through an interpreter at Wednesday's UFC on ABC 8 media day. "It's a different level of course. I feel very lucky that I'm ere. I have fought in different organizations but this is a unique one. I have prepared well and I am going to represent my country with pride. I have prepared specifically for my opponent." Although Musayev has proven himself to be high level, there's speculation about whether, at 35, he's coming into the shark tank of the UFC's lightweight division too late to rise to the top. Only time will tell, but he intends to give it his best shot. "Age is just a number for me," Musayev said. "If anyone thinks otherwise, they shouldn't even be competing in the UFC." "I'm focused on my opponent and later on I will focus on the next steps. This fight will determine what the next fights will be."
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former RIZIN, Bellator star Tofiq Musyaev signs with UFC for debut vs. Myktybek Orolbai
Former RIZIN, Bellator star Tofiq Musyaev signs with UFC for debut vs. Myktybek Orolbai Former RIZIN and Bellator star Tofiq Musayev is headed to the UFC. His debut is already set, and it'll be in his home country. Musayev (22-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will take on Myktybek Orolbai (13-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) in a three-round lightweight bout at UFC on ABC 8. The event takes place June 21 at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. Musyaev, 35, has not competed since November 2023. He rose to notoriety in RIZIN with five straight wins, including a tournament championship. In the final, he defeated Patricky Freire. After a loss to Roberto de Souza, Musayev signed with Bellator and went 1-1 under the promotion's banner. Following the Bellator-PFL merger, Musayev returned to RIZIN and won back-to-back fights. He then signed with GFL, but the MMA league never got off the ground. Orolbai, 27, aims to bounce back from a carnage-filled war vs. Mateusz Rebecki in October. The bout earned Fight of the Night and saw both men bloodied and battered. Orolbai lost a split decision, which marked his first UFC defeat. His first two UFC fights were wins vs. Uros Medic and Elves Brener. Current UFC on ABC 8 lineup
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC Signs MMA Fighter With Khabib and Islam Makhachev's Coach in His Corner
The UFC has added a new fighter to its lightweight division with the signing of Tofiq Musayev. The 35-year-old is a knockout artist and has a reputation for international success and devastating finishes inside the cage. A native of Azerbaijan, Musayev boasts a professional record of 22-5, including 18 of those victories via knockout. Advertisement He made his splash in Japan's promotion RIZIN and won the 2019 Lightweight Grand Prix by beating Johnny Case and Patricky "Pitbull" Freire on the same evening. Moreover, he also had a short but impressive stint in Bellator. What is so interesting about this signing is Musayev's newfound training partnership with world-renowned MMA coach Javier Mendez. For those unaware, he is the same coach responsible for the careers of ex-UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. Currently training at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), Musayev surrounded himself with top-level talent and guidance as he gets ready for his UFC debut sometime soon. Advertisement Prior to signing with the UFC, Musayev also fought for the Global Fight League, competing for Dubai along with veteran UFC performer Damir Ismagulov. With his combat background from top worldwide promotions and now learning from a living legend, Musayev is sure to be a thrilling addition to one of the deepest divisions of the UFC. However, life for Musayev certainly won't be easy in the UFC. The lightweight division in the UFC has some of the best fighters on the planet and despite being a veteran in the sport, there is an argument of him not having faced fighters on this level. Related: Boxing Fans Fact-Check Jake Paul for His Wrongful Gervonta Davis Claim
