UFC Abu Dhabi: Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk: Live round-by-round updates
The UFC Abu Dhabi Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk round-by-round updates are here to walk fans through the real-time events of the blockbuster middleweight co-main event. The bout marks the next stiff test in Magomedov's continued ascension in the UFC.
Meanwhile, Oleksiejczuk is looking to bounce back from a two-fight skid that has seen him suffer losses to the likes of Kevin Holland and Michel Pereira. The matchup is expected to be a striking-heavy contest, given both men's penchant for kickboxing.
Magomedov, who is unbeaten with a 13-0 record, has dazzled fans with his flashy striking style and explosive knockouts. Oleksiejczuk, on the other hand, is similarly powerful but more hard-nosed, possessing a granite chin that has only ever been cracked once back in 2014 across a 19-8 (1) career.
Neither man is expected to challenge the other in the realm of grappling, where both are weakest. Instead, they will look to take each other's heads off in a war for the ages, which the oddsmakers at DraftKings Sportsbook favor Magomedov to win, listing him as a -258 favorite, while Oleksiejczuk is a +210 underdog.
Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis and live scoring of the middleweight bout.
UFC Abu Dhabi: Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk
Round 1: The first round starts with Oleksiejczuk heavy on the front foot, pressuring Magomedov to the fence. The Pole lands several good punches, forcing exchanges with the unbeaten Dagestani. Oleksiejczuk is almost landing at will, while Magomedov is starting to find a home for his own strikes.
As the bout opens up, the Dagestani middleweight starts landing kicks and knees, but it does nothing to dissuade his Polish foe, who keeps pressing the action and snapping his head back with strikes to close out the round. 10-9 Magomedov.
Round 2: Oleksiejczuk immediately closes the distance, but gets cracked by a counterpunch from Magomedov off the backfoot. Nevertheless, the Pole keeps pressuring him, landing his own strikes. An attempted takedown from Oleksiejczuk fails, and Magomedov starts opening up with strikes.
They're back in the center, where the Dagestani lands several counterpunches. However, Oleksiejczuk does find openings for his punches. A brief clinch sequence ensues, where Magomedov lands knees, busting the Pole open even more. Oleksiejczuk catches a kick and converts it into a takedown.
He teases a choke, but doesn't get it. 10-9 Magomedov.
Round 3: More pressure from the Pole, who eats several counter-strikes from the dynamic Dagestani. Magomedov's creativity seems to be confounding Oleksiejczuk. But the Polish doesn't relent, advancing with brutal intent. Magomedov seems to be tiring, and Oleksiejczuk is landing.
Magomedov finds a second wind and brutalizes his opponent with knees in the clinch, but Oleksiejczuk's granite chin holds up. Oleksiejczuk gets a takedown, but it's brief, as Magomedov works his way back to his feet. Oleksiejczuk pins the Dagestani against the fence, but fails to complete a second takedown.
Another takedown from Oleksiejczuk, who lands a few punches from top position, but nothing of consequence. Magomedov lands elbows from the bottom, and the round ends in the position. 10-9 Magomedov.
Official Decision: Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Michał Oleksiejczuk via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)