Zabit Magomedsharipov Earns A Unanimous Decision Win Over Jeremy Stephens!
UFC 235 Pay-Per-View is happening now (Sat., March 2, 2019) from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A highly-intriguing featherweight fight between veteran Jeremy Stephens and much-hyped Zabit Magomedsharipov headlined the Preliminary card airs on ESPN.
Zabit is undefeated in the Octagon since making his UFC debut back in 2017, piled up four straight victories and is currently riding on a 12-fight win streak. “ZaBeast” has proved through his impressive performances be a legit threat to the division title.
Meanwhile his opponent “Lil Heathen,” will look to bounce back from a knockout loss to former UFC champion Jose Aldo last July.
The referee in charge for this contest was Mark Smith.
Round 1
At the beginning of the first round, we’ve seen a good low kick and a solid fight control from Zabit Magomedsharipov. Stephens was going for the lead leg but ate a big high kick. Magomedsharipov had a better control of the distance but missed with a spinning back fist. Stephens punished him with a right hand to the body.
Then Zabit connected a left hand but also delivered a kick to the Stephens’ nuts. Then Magomedsharipov tried 360 kick and a Showtime kick, which raised the crowd on its feet. Few body kicks ended the first round, Zabit won 10-9.
Round 2
Magomedsharipov opened up with a body kick, and continued doing the same thing in the second round. Stephens was having a hard time cutting the distance. Magomedsharipov used left hands to control the distance, and we’ve seen a tremendous right hand from Stephens in the middle of the round. Magomedsharipov tried for a takedown, which ended on the fence.
When he took Stephens down, the fight was taken to the ground, and Zabit ended in the full mount. Good ground and pound ended the round, Zabit won 10-9.
Round 3
In the third, Stephens opened with a leg kick. Fighters were exchanging strikes, and Zabit went for a takedown attempt again.
Stephens defended, and went for the knees. Stephens used his hips to prevent takedown again, and he looked pretty much better in this round.
Fighters were trading shots, and we’ve seen a good right hook from Zabit, which potentially wobbled his rival. But Stephens’ continued raining great punches and going forward.
Jumping knee and spinning back kick from Zabit were pretty attractive to watch. Stephens went for all or nothing in the last minute of the game, but he couldn’t finish his rival, Magomedsharipov looked smarter. 10-9 Stephens.
In the end, Zabit Magomedsharipov won the match via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Zabit Magomedsharipov improved his score to 17-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC, while Jeremy Stephens dropped to 28-16 MMA, 15-15 UFC.
Check out the highlights below:
Vicious calf kicks from Zabit! #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/xFTpvxrmis
— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019
We're throwing spinny stuff now #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/hWMKkuyexV
— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019
WILD finish to this one! What. A. Fight!#UFC235 pic.twitter.com/tdsALDJjCD
— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019
29×28 x3!@ZaBeast_MMA #UFC235 pic.twitter.com/651PD0cF5b
— UFC (@ufc) March 3, 2019
