UFC Vegas 113: Chaos At the Final Horn, Wiklacz Subs Gafurov

"Wiklacz was perhaps best known as being one of Patchy Mix's UFC opponents, and the former KSW star got right to work, firing kicks, setting up his hands, and putting Gafurov on the back foot. Gafurov, also a former ONE Championship athlete, seemed to settle in soon enough, though he would sail wide with a looping hook about a minute and a half in. Wiklacz likewise was fanning on his front kick. Gafurov came close to catching a kick, leading to a clinch, and a trip by the Tajik fighter. Wiklacz, however, popped right back up."

"Early in round two, the fight went to the ground in a scramble off a jumping front kick by Wiklacz, with Jakub coming out on top. He wound up in side control, with Gafurov, on his back, laying with his head pointing to the fence. Wiklacz fired some heavy knees, and continued to stay heavy on top. When Gafurov tried to escape out, Wiklacz stayed on him. Tons of top time, and he wound up in mount, still two minutes on the clock."

"The third frame saw Gafurov close the distance and mix up his strikes, putting Wiklacz on the defensive early. Several heavy punches were at least partially blocked by Gafurov, who began digging the body in a clinch. Wiklacz responded with knees; Gafurov fired an elbow over the top off the break. Wiklacz was fighting with his mouth open, seeming to gulp air. A grazing eye poke halted the action for a millisecond, but Gafurov, the victim, didn't want to stop."

Muin Gafurov missed weight, converting the bout into a 141lb catchweight against Jakub Wiklacz. Wiklacz opened aggressively with kicks and strikes, keeping Gafurov on the back foot early. Gafurov answered with occasional striking bursts, a clinch trip, and a late first-round punching volley. Round two featured prolonged top control from Wiklacz, including side control, mount, heavy knees, and a secured back with a rear-naked choke attempt that was not finished. The third round saw Gafurov press forward with mixed strikes while Wiklacz countered with knees and pressure, showcasing top dominance and striking variety.

Read at Cageside Press