LAS VEGAS – Jacob Malkoun beat Nick Maximov with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC Fight Night 212 in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Malkoun, who capitalized on what appeared to be a first-round Malkoun lower leg injury and used takedowns to control the fight.
Jacob Malkoun vs. Nick Maximov
Result: Jacob Malkoun def. Nick Maximov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Updated records: Malkoun (7-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC), Maximov (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC)
Key stat: Malkoun landed nine takedowns and outstruck Maximov 129-56.
Malkoun on the fight's key moment
“I kind of picked up that he was hurt a little bit, but I didn’t want to change what I did because he could be (faking) for me to attack his leg to counter me with those big bombs. That’s the only thing he had – big right hand, or big hook. So if I started looking at his leg too much, maybe he would’ve caught me and put me away. I saw he was hurt, but I didn’t want to sway from the game plan.”
Malkoun on bouncing back from a loss
“It left a bitter taste, the last fight, and it’s good to get the victory now – go home, be happy, have a good plane ride, eat some food and get back to work. I was upset (after the loss to Brendan Allen in June) … Sometimes I’d dwell on it and think, ‘Oh, I should have won.’ But what are you going to do?”
Malkoun on what he wants next
“I don’t have an opponent. I don’t think I’ve done enough to call people out yet. I think it’s probably going to be the Perth (Australia) card in February (when I want to return). I’ve just got to get home, have a couple weeks to enjoy training and having a bit of fun, and get back on the horse then. It’d be an honor – the UFC coming back to Australia, it’s probably going to be a full stadium, fighting alongside Rob (Whittaker), as well, if he’s on the card.”
To hear more from Malkoun, check out the video of the full post-fight interview below.
Jacob Malkoun full post-fight interview
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 212.
